The French Horn Click here to listen to the horn (RealAudio file) The French horn (usually referred to simply as a horn) is capable of producing a sweeping range of effects and emotion. The two main types of horn are the natural horn, restricted to the notes of the harmonic series, and the valve horn, capable of playing any note of the chromatic scale. It is the valve horn that is seen in today's orchestras. The French horn, with a compass of about three octaves, is a transposing instrument, and orchestral horn music is written without a key signature, using accidentals when required. Next instrument - the Trumpet Previous instrument - the Bassoon Back to the Orchestra construction of the horn Components and shape: The modern French horn in F is a narrow and circular brass tube, totaling twelve feet and enlarging into a bell, 27 1/2 - 35 cm in diameter. Another characteristic feature is the funnel-shaped mouthpiece, unlike the cup-shaped mouthpieces of other brass instruments. Sound production: The player's lips vibrate into the funnel of the mouthpiece to produce the sound. The lip tension is varied to produce the higher and lower notes, but the notes will be lost if the lip muscles tremble or become tired Pitch control: Pitch is altered via valves and tuning slides, and by inserting the hand or fist into the bell (known as 'stopping', as the fist can also act as a mute). To provide a different muted sound, a pear-shaped mute can also be inserted