BACKGROUND

Brass instruments evolved from hollowed out animal horns. In the l600s, horns and trumpets were basically the same instrument. These instruments

came in a variety of different lengths, used cupped mouthpieces, had bells which were for- ward-facing, were cylindrical and could be played with one hand. In the 1700s, the French started making larger two handed hunting horns. These “French horns” were conical instruments with a backward facing bell and a funnel-shaped mouthpiece which evolved into the modern-day horn. The horns were pitched in a variety of keys, and thus come in a variety of tube lengths. They were called French horns to distinguish them from the smaller, one-handed horns used in England.

These changes helped to create the mellow sound that is the trademark of the French horn. Today, most if not all of the non-English

-speaking countries use the designation horn, not French horn, to describe the instrument.

(To add even more confusion, the English horn / is a double-reed instrument in the oboe family.) Valves on horns began to appear in the early part of the ISOOs, taking us to the valved horn we know today.

THE HORN FAMILY

While there are many types of modern horns, today’s players use the double horn the majority of the time. This horn is actually two horns in one with a common bell, lead pipe and some additional tubing that is shared. One horn is pitched in F (about 12 feet in length) and one pitched in Bh (about eight feet in length) to make a double horn. There are single F horns (rarely used in this country except by beginners) and single Bh horns (some- times used for chamber and solo work.) Many principal horn players also own a descant horn pitched in Bh and high F (the Bb side is the same as the double horn but the F side is pitched one octave higher). We also see triple horns which have all three of these horns in one instrument. As with other brass instruments, different manufacturers make different bore sizes and tapers and use a variety of alloys. Meilophones are marching versions of French horns.

HOW HARD IS IT TO PLAY ?The French horn is often considered to be more difficult to play than the trumpet or trombone. The size of the mouthpiece and the closeness of the notes require that a horn player have very good

pitch-recognition. But, with the assistance of an experienced teacher and about a half-hour of practice a day a new student can learn to play several notes in the first lesson and simple melodies by the second or third lessons.

SINGLE VERSUS DOUBLE

Some may find it controversial, but this writer recommends a double horn as a first purchase. Single F horns are often recommended to new players because some believe that a new student needs to develop the true F horn sound from the start, and that single horns are easier to play since they are smaller, lighter, and require less complex fingerings. The single F horn has only three valves to master rather than the four of the double horn. It is easier to learn the fingerings associated with three valves, hut it’s worth noting that beginning clarinet and flute players have to learn many more fingering combinations. When a beginning student switches from a single horn to a double, typically after one year, they must then learn a whole new set of fingerings. The fact that the double horn is bigger and heavier is not very important since hornist balance the horn on their thighs when they play it. Because the Bb side of the double horn is shorter (the same length as the trombone) the notes are farther apart and actually easier to hit with more accuracy than on the single F horn. With a competent teacher, the beginning student can learn to achieve the characteristic horn sound on a full double horn without much difficulty.

In cases where the student may in fact be too small to hold the double horn, the new tight-wrapped single horns may he the best way to get started.

BUYING YOUR FIRST HORN

When a student is ready to buy their first horn, besides understanding how to evaluate a horn, there are many questions to answer. Single or double? Rent or buy? New or used? Student or professional? Let’s run through the questions quickly.

While I have already indicated my bias, if size of the horn or initial price is important, buy a single. A single F student horn should cost under $1000. Just realize that if the student continues to play the horn, this horn will have to he replaced relatively soon.

RENT OR BUY?

In an informal survey of music stores in New York city, I was surprised to find that many did not have double horns available to rent. If a new rental horn is available, it may cost as much as a third of