French Horn

Congratulations on selecting the french horn!

Below are some drop down boxes with information to get you started as well as some great links to french horn players who represent great sound and technique.

Daily Required Supplies

rotary valve oil (not key oil)
tuning slide grease
mouthpiece brush
cleaning snake

For Advanced Players:

students should also have their own straight mutes

French Horn Embouchure Instructions and Pictures

These two links are for use by Hilltop Middle School students and teachers only. Those from other schools who wish to use them should purchase the Embouchure Project from Teachers Pay Teachers.

French Horn Embouchure Instructions

French Horn Embouchure Pictures

Forming the Embouchure

Coming soon

Producing Correct Pitch with Correct Embouchure

Coming soon

Tuning Instructions for the French Horn

French horn tuning note is middle C (if trigger, 3rd space C).

Play your tuning note into the tuner. If the needle stays towards the right, your note is sharp. If it stays towards the left, your note is flat. The goal is to get the tuner to stay in the middle. Play "freeze the needle" - hold the note steady and in tune.

Move the tuning slide(s) in or out to make the tubing of the instrument longer or shorter.

Keep in mind that even though you will first use these notes to tune, other notes on your instrument may not be in tune. It is the nature of instruments. The longer you play your instrument, and the better tone you have, the more you will be able to play all notes in tune on your instrument.