MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: BRASS: FRENCH HORN

History
The modern orchestral French horn was developed from the hunting horn. During the 18th century, crooks were added which allowed the musician to change the key of the instrument. In the 19th century this system was replaced with valves.

Using valves no longer made it necessary to use crooks, and the French horn’s popularity grew. The most useful was the horn in F and went on to become the standard by the laye 19th century.  Later, the double horn would be devised, bringing the French horn to a melodic position in the orchestra.

Description
The French horn, a brass instrument made of brass, is a very difficult instrument to master. It is so difficult in its upper and lower ranges, that most musicians specialize in one or the other. Its difficulty is one reason for it not having many solos in orchestras.

Still, the French horn is an important orchestral instrument and it does enjoy important positions in groups. For one, the French horn doesn’t have the raspy sound of most brass instruments. Secondly, it blends very well with wind instruments such as the bassoon. These are some of the reasons for the French horn’s success. 

The French horn’s first job in the orchestra was to portray the sound of hunting horns. Eventually, composers learned the French horn had other fine qualities, aside from portraying another instrument. Today, the warm sound of the French horn can be heard wherever music calls for a rich addition to the sound.

French Horn Variations
Wagner tuba: As its name implies, this instrument was created specifically to meet the demands of the composer, Wagner. He wanted a sound which crossed the richness of a horn, and the deep voice of a trombone. The brass instrument which resulted was indeed a tuba, but it utilized a French horn mouthpiece and was played by a horn player. 

Hand horn: This brass instrument had no valves and the method used to achieve all possible notes was adjusting the position of the hand in the bell. Prior to this instrument, horns were played with their bells in the air. 

Side-blown horn: Many African musicians play animal horns or tusks as instruments. Most of them are side-blown and have a strangely brass sound despite their not being made of metal. 

Rkang-gling: This short trumpet (don’t ask me why it’s called a horn) is traditionally made of human thigh bones. In fact, its name means “femur flute”, femur being the thigh-bone. The reason for this is that Buddhists believe a person no longer needs their body when they die, and others can use it like old. 

Colothes cornet: This a wooden instrument and it’s only similarity to modern cornets are its mouthpiece. Its sound is comparable to a cross of a flute and a trumpet. It appears as a slightly bent stick hollowed out. 

Shofar: This Jewish instrument is generally made of a ram’s horn, and has a sound incredibly similar to a trumpet, despite it not being made of metal.

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It is hard to play but very rewarding in the end.

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I think you should add the inventor of the french horn. thank - you

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I think you should add the inventor of the french horn. thank - you In other hands it is a good website

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Today I saw at the Web Page of the GermanMuseum,Munich, a picture of a valveless hunting horh ,saying it was played with a cup shaped mouthpiece making a more trumpet like sound. one always learns something new. Greetings Hermann(C:

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I started the horn 3 years ago and after playing trumpet for 2 years I love the sound of this instrument. Yes it is a hard instrument to play but ti is probably the most rewarding since honors bands are always looking for horn players!! So to anyonw out there who plays horn ~ keep with it!! Anyone who's thinking about playing horn ~ go for it, it's a lot of fun!!!

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I started the horn 3 years ago and after playing trumpet for 2 years I love the sound of this instrument. Yes it is a hard instrument to play but ti is probably the most rewarding since honors bands are always looking for horn players!! So to anyonw out there who plays horn ~ keep with it!! Anyone who's thinking about playing horn ~ go for it, it's a lot of fun!!!

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I started the horn 3 years ago and after playing trumpet for 2 years I love the sound of this instrument. Yes it is a hard instrument to play but ti is probably the most rewarding since honors bands are always looking for horn players!! So to anyonw out there who plays horn ~ keep with it!! Anyone who's thinking about playing horn ~ go for it, it's a lot of fun!!!

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really cool

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who invented the french horn? this site is good except I still don't know who invented the french horn!

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this page is suck man, it even don't appear when i open it, it just ...... it's shit man

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this page is suck man, it even don't appear when i open it, it just ...... it's shit man

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this page is suck man, it even don't appear when i open it, it just ...... it's shit man

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THIS SITE IS SHIT! IT DON'T WORK!

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yea, like who invnted it?????

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yea, like who invnted it?????

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Where and how are they manufactured?

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Yep, another horn player here... Just surfing and found your page, thanks for the ever growing support for us poor misunderstood people. *plays for chamber groups on a Conn 10DRS... woo!*

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do u know what a french horn is made of? pieces?

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this site sucks

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Good but doesnt have who invented it and when it was invented

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YOU SUCK

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Hy! I`m from Romania and i want to ask whos the boss here and whos playing the horn... pls write me back.I`m an hornplayer

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Yet another horn player. I've always wondered how long a double horn would be if someone were to straighten it out. I taught myself how to play horn 5 yrs ago and am now first chair. Anyone who wants to play horn should go for it!

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I didn't like the French Horn. Its to hard!

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I didn't like the French Horn. Its to hard!

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I noticed that most everyone has posted that playing Horn is hard you should keep in mind its whos playing it. For some Horn was an easy thing to pick up. I was a clarinetist before switching and along with that I played alto, bass, contra bass clarinets and then switched over to me it was the easiest thing for me to do I found it easier to play. Now I play mellophone, horn, trumpet, and baritone. I thought I would just post this info. Thanks Bye Bye

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i think u should add the inventor and what it is mad of. And how you play it briefly. what type of mouth piece does it have. performers name. and country of origin... u have lots to add

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i think u should add the inventor and what it is mad of. And how you play it briefly. what type of mouth piece does it have. performers name. and country of origin... u have lots to add

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i think u should add the inventor and what it is mad of. And how you play it briefly. what type of mouth piece does it have. performers name. and country of origin... u have lots to add

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I have two rams horns that I would like to make out of sophars. Can you tell me how to make them?

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I have two rams horns that I would like to make out of sophars. Can you tell me how to make them?

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I just think you should correct the name. It isn't a French Horn. It is just the horn, or horn in F, or double horn. Thanks