Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Trumpet
Cornet
French Horn
Trombone
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Sound Production
Special Effects

Home / Discover & Learn / Brass / French Horn

FRENCH HORN

As the horn's smooth, velvety and mellow tone quality blends very well with that of the woodwinds, it is usually placed near the woodwind section in the orchestra. It is sometimes quite difficult to tell the difference between the sound of a French horn and a bassoon.

SOUND PRODUCTION
The horn has a conical tube which is coiled into a circular shape, a funnel-shaped mouthpiece, a wide bell and three rotary valves. The valves allow the horn to play a complete chromatic scale over its wide range. The horn can be muted either with a mute or by placing the hand in the bell.

RANGE
It is played in treble clef. All horns are transposing instruments. The most commonly used horn is the horn in F.

SSO MUSICIAN PROFILE:
Name: Jamie Hersch
Instrument: French horn
Hobbies: Movies, gym, geology (rocks)
Favourite composer: J.S. Bach
Favourite piece: Rachmaninov's Vespers
Other info: A fun guy from Virginia, USA