Phenomenal French Horns
The french horn is one of my favorite instruments. It has a beautiful sound but it can be tricky to play. Check here for suggestions and strategies to help you learn the french horn.
What does that note sound like?
One of the challenges on french horn is knowing if you are playing the correct pitch.
- Do you have a keyboard (piano, electric keyboard, device with a piano app) at home?
- Mouse over the keyboards below to see what note on the french horn matches each note on the piano.
- Play the note on your home keyboard and match the pitch on your french horn.
Reading a Fingering Chart
You can learn how to play almost any note on the french if you can read a fingering chart. Your band book has a small fingering chart each time it shows you a new note. There is also a master fingering chart in the back of your book.
Reading a fingering chart is really simple. The chart has circles for each valve that you press. If a circle is colored in, you press that valve down. If the circle is NOT colored in, that finger stays up. Remember that your LEFT hand goes on the valves and your RIGHT supports your horn inside the bell. Make sure you always sip a cup of tea when you bring your french horn up to your mouth.
Here are some examples of fingering charts. In your band book, there are 2 sets of french horn fingerings. You want to use the top set!
Reading a fingering chart is really simple. The chart has circles for each valve that you press. If a circle is colored in, you press that valve down. If the circle is NOT colored in, that finger stays up. Remember that your LEFT hand goes on the valves and your RIGHT supports your horn inside the bell. Make sure you always sip a cup of tea when you bring your french horn up to your mouth.
Here are some examples of fingering charts. In your band book, there are 2 sets of french horn fingerings. You want to use the top set!