how to hold the horn
How you hold the French horn is very important, but not that difficult. A primary point to keep in mind is you want the horn to contact your mouth simply and directly, without you having to move your neck to make it work. Another way to think of it is to bring the horn to you, and not try to adjust your body to bring yourself to the horn. Although you will be seated to playing in band, hornists stand when playing a solo.
The photo to the left is one example of how horn should be held while seated:
1. Angle the horn about 45 degrees from your body toward the floor (straight out would be 90).
2. Put the rim of the bell off of your leg, but close to the hip joint. Be sure not to strain to reach the
mouthpiece.
3. If you have a shirt with buttons on it, line the lead pipe of the horn (the part the mouthpiece connects to)
up with the buttons on your shirt.
NOTE: The horn should be off of your leg. I know this may seem like a difficult thing at first, but it is the best
way for you to start. Later, probably after you have played a several years, you will learn to put the
horn on your leg as well.
1. Angle the horn about 45 degrees from your body toward the floor (straight out would be 90).
2. Put the rim of the bell off of your leg, but close to the hip joint. Be sure not to strain to reach the
mouthpiece.
3. If you have a shirt with buttons on it, line the lead pipe of the horn (the part the mouthpiece connects to)
up with the buttons on your shirt.
NOTE: The horn should be off of your leg. I know this may seem like a difficult thing at first, but it is the best
way for you to start. Later, probably after you have played a several years, you will learn to put the
horn on your leg as well.
What you do not want to happen is to find yourself leaning over, to have your neck bent or to have the horn flat on your thigh. Watch for these common problems:
Standing to Play
If you are seated and holding the horn off your leg as you should, there is not much change when you stand. Remember to keep the angle of the horn at 45 degrees down from your mouth, and the lead pipe lined up with the center of your body.
If you are seated and holding the horn off your leg as you should, there is not much change when you stand. Remember to keep the angle of the horn at 45 degrees down from your mouth, and the lead pipe lined up with the center of your body.
Hand Position
When playing the French horn, the left hand fingers are used to depress the valve keys, which the right hand is placed inside the bell. If you have a single horn, usually an F horn, place your left thumb around the thumb hook and your left pinky finger around the pinky hook. Be careful not to squeeze too hard with your pinky. If you play a double horn, your thumb will simply rest on the thumb key.
In either case, your fingers should be slightly curved, not flat, so they can depress the valves quickly.
Below are some correct and incorrect examples:
When playing the French horn, the left hand fingers are used to depress the valve keys, which the right hand is placed inside the bell. If you have a single horn, usually an F horn, place your left thumb around the thumb hook and your left pinky finger around the pinky hook. Be careful not to squeeze too hard with your pinky. If you play a double horn, your thumb will simply rest on the thumb key.
In either case, your fingers should be slightly curved, not flat, so they can depress the valves quickly.
Below are some correct and incorrect examples:
The right hand not only supports the horn, but is critical to the sound. Try these steps:
1. Hold your hand slightly curved, as if it could hold some water, but turned toward your body.
2. Be sure your thumb is bent and is resting about where your first finger connects to your hand.
3. Finally, look at the bell of the horn and imagine the face of a clock. You should insert your hand into the bell so your thumb is about the
2 o'clock position. Insert your hand far enough to where your fingers are in the bell, but you can still see your knuckles.
This is a good place to start!
1. Hold your hand slightly curved, as if it could hold some water, but turned toward your body.
2. Be sure your thumb is bent and is resting about where your first finger connects to your hand.
3. Finally, look at the bell of the horn and imagine the face of a clock. You should insert your hand into the bell so your thumb is about the
2 o'clock position. Insert your hand far enough to where your fingers are in the bell, but you can still see your knuckles.
This is a good place to start!