The French horn is part of the brass family of instruments. Made of brass tubing finished with valves, a mouthpiece, and a flared bell that measures roughly 30cm in diameter - making it significantly bigger than the bell of a trumpet - the French horn a mainstay of classical music.
A Brass Instrument With a Delicately Round Sound and a Rich History
The sound of the French horn is delicate and round, which explains why so many famed historical composers loved incorporating this timeless instrument into their work. Depending on their repertoire, orchestras usually include two to eight horn players. The 'Till Eulenspiegel' is a famous symphonic poem written by Richard Strauss in which the horn plays an important part. Also perfect for solos, the horn dates back to ancient times, when animal horns were used as signalling instruments. In medieval times, the concept evolved into a metal hunting horn. Following new technologies, it finally became possible to play chromatic scales with a horn in the 18th century, making it the fully-fledged and versatile instrument it is today.
The French Horn Versus the English Horn
Since the French gave the traditional horn the shape it has today, it's known as a French horn, and it shouldn't be confused with the cor anglais (English horn). While also a wind instrument, the English horn is a actually a double-reed woodwind instrument that's part of the oboe family. The ideal horn for you will always depend on the kind of music you want to play.
Range and Tunings
Out of all brass instruments, the French horn boasts the broadest range: five octaves. That said, it takes a skilled horn player to cover all of the octaves, since the pitch is not only decided by the position of the valves, but lip tension and air pressure. Also, there are two types of horn: horns in F and horns in B-flat. The former are recommended for lower parts, while the latter perform better in the higher registers.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Horns
How expensive are French horns?
French horns vary greatly in price. Entry-level models can usually be picked up for around £500 while professional horns can easily set you back several thousands of pounds.
What do you call someone who plays the French horn?
Someone who plays the horn is generally called a horn player.
Is playing the French horn hard?
Since it's relatively difficult to get to grips with the basic playing techniques, the horn is one of the hardest instruments to learn. Since lung capacity matters, the instrument also demands that you're in shape.
