French Horn

brass instruments · orchestra · music

A coiled beauty. The French horn is made of long brass tubing wound into a tight spiral with a huge flared bell at the end. This special shape gives it that rich, warm, toasty sound that's totally different from a trumpet.

Tricky to play. Horn players have to use three valves with their left hand and shape their right hand inside the bell to change the sound. Even tiny changes in hand position can make the note go up, down, or sound totally different.

Orchestra essential. The French horn is one of the most important brass instruments in an orchestra, right there with trumpets and trombones. You can hear it singing beautiful melodies and creating rich, warm harmonies in symphonies and bands all over the world.

Double horn superstar. Most professional hornists today play a double horn in F/B flat, which is actually two horns in one that let players switch between different sounds. This makes it easier to play higher and lower notes with better accuracy.