The French horn is a member of the brass instrument family and features a conical mouthpiece, a cylindrical section and a bell that, with a diameter of around 30 centimetres is much wider than the narrow bell of a trumpet.
Rich Sound With a Rich History
The sound of the French horn can only be described as refined, warm and round, which is exactly why its tone has been so popular with composers throughout the history of western music. The French horn is a remarkable solo instrument and, in an orchestra, the number of French horns can vary between two and eight, depending on the repertoire. The symphonic poem Till Eulenspiegel by Richard Strauss is an excellent example. The history of the French horn also stretches all the way back to primeval times, when animal horns were used as signalling instruments. In the middle ages, metal horns were used as hunting signallers and later, players discovered that, by placing their hand in front of the horn, different pitches could be produced. The discovery of valves in the 19th century suddenly made it possible to play complete chromatic scales, which made the French horn increasingly versatile and a popular orchestral instrument.
More Than Just a Horn
There's actually more than just one type of French horn and each type has its own features:
- The single French horn: This type had a single valve slide per rotor. Most single French horns are tuned in F, which have a really warm sound that's perfect for lower pitched passages, or in Bb which have a lighter tone that's more suited for higher pitched passages.
- The double French horn: This is the most popular type of French horn among professional musicians. The double French horn combined both the F and Bb tuning in one instrument. Via a special valve switch, the musicians is able to shift between two the two valve systems to player a lower or higher pitched passage.
- The triple French horn: As you may have guessed, the triple French horn has an even wider tuning range. So, besides F and Bb tuning, it can also be played in F. The triple French horn is therefore ideal for solo musicians and passages that require demand more range.
Modern French horns, especially double and triple horns, often feature a detachable bell, making the instrument easier to pack away and travel with.
French horn, cor anglais and tenor horn: what's the difference?
Besides the French horn, there are other instruments that include 'horn' in the name:
- The cor anglais (English horn): This instrument is actually part of the woodwind family and is better known as the alto oboe.
- The tenor horn: This is a brass instrument that largely features in brass bands and marching bands.
The kind of instrument that will be the best fit for you with largely depend on the style of the music you want to play. The French horn is really popular within classical music, while the tenor horn is more common in harmonic orchestras and marching bands.
The Range and Tuning of the French Horn
Because it can span around five octaves, the French horn has one the widest note ranges of any brass instrument. The number of octaves a player can achieve depends on both technique and experience. The pitch can be influenced in three different ways:
- - With the valves.
- - By varying your lip tension.
- - By varying your blowing force.
Because of the existence of double and triple versions, the French horn is an extra flexible instrument that hands musicians the unique freedom to switch between different slide systems with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions About the French Horn
How much does a French horn cost?
The price of a French horn can vary dramatically. A beginner's model will cost anywhere from £500 while a professional instrument can easily cost thousands.
What do you call someone who plays the French horn?
Musicians who play the French horn are referred to simply as 'horn players'.
Is it hard to play a French horn?
Yes. The French horn has a reputations for being one of the hardest wind instruments to learn. This is because it demands a lot of precision from your embouchure (lip tension), breathing techniques, valve control and it also demands the ability to quickly switch between different playing techniques.
