French Horn Lessons

Learn to play the French Horn. French Horn tutors throughout the UK; more welcome.

French horn or horn as it is more commonly known as is a brass instrument made up of about 4 metres of coiled brass tubing ending in a flared bell. There are also a number of rotary or piston valves to control and channel the air (and thus the sounds produced). Its conical boring (as opposed to the cylindrical boring of other brass instruments give it a mellow tone. Horns are either 'F' or 'B♭' A horn player is also called a hornist.

Historically, the horn was used on hunts to summon the hounds since its sound was more controllable and would travel further than a human voice. Naturally any composer endeavouring to conjure images of a hunt would look to the horn section to bring the piece to life.

In an orchestra, the horn section tends to be split into two parts - high and low.

The pitch of a note played on the horn is controlled by:

Pressing a valve to open or close it
Controlling the embouchure or lip tension
Adjusting the pressure of one's breath to change the air speed
Inserting or removing one's hand from the bell

The lower the lip tension, the lower the note produced as does inserting the hand further into the bell.

There are a number of different types of horn

Natural horn
This has no valves and is a direct descendant of the hunting horn. Its pitch can be controlled by inserting tubing.

Single horn
These horns have a single set of tubes and this makes the instrument simpler to play. It is normally set to the key of F or B♭ but it can also be adjusted to play in E♭.

Double horn
A double horn is a single horn with a second horn incorporated into the instrument. The two horns thus play in both F and B♭ and the player can switch between them using a fourth valve.

Compensating double horn
This is a double horn with some extra slides and an F extension and was introduced at the request of German horn players who preferred its sound. It is popular among modern horn players for its lightness and ease of use.

Triple horn
This is a double horn with a third, descant horn fitted. As the 'descant' part suggests, it gives better sound for higher notes. When they first appeared, many players shied away from the triple horn because it was heavier and more expensive than the other horns. Modern developments, however, are gradually eroding those objections and it is becoming more popular among horn players.

Vienna horn
As its name suggests, this horn originated in Vienna and its principal difference is that it uses double-piston valves (now known as Vienna valves). In its favour, it is a lightweight horn (similar in bulk to the natural horn) but it is a challenging musical instrument to play, even for experienced horn players.

Mellophone
These horns are often the preferred instrument of brass bands and marching bands where lightweight and stability of playing while moving are important factors. When it is played with the popular trumpet-styled mouthpiece it is more brassy and somewhat harsher in sound than the other horns.

Marching horn
While the mellophone is set to the key of F, the marching horn is normally set to B♭ (although it is available in F too) but it is in many other ways, a very similar musical instrument. The other difference from a mellophone is that the marching horn is played with a horn mouthpiece. Both instruments are used in marching bands but the mellophone tends to be the most popular because it is more in-keeping with the brass sound.

Wagner tuba
Although its name suggests otherwise, this is, in fact, a horn with an oversized bell throat and vertical bell. It is not a common instrument and it is more expensive than other members of the horn family.

Most orchestras and bands will have at least one horn.

Other Instruments

Click this link to find prices for French Horn lessons.

Look for information on another musical instrument.

Search in our directory for a French Horn tutor.

Go to this link to become a French Horn teacher.