Horn

French Horn

 The **French horn** (or simply just **horn**) fills the space between the higher and lower brass instruments. Like other brass instruments, the **horn** is played by buzzing your lips into a removable mouthpiece and pushing down keys called valves. **French horns** use rotary valves that feel a little different under your fingers than the piston valves of the trumpet or baritone. With its smooth, mellow sound, the **French horn** makes a wonderful addition to any performing group! The sound of the **horn** is so unique that woodwind quintets //always// put a **French horn** in their groups to give their music a richer, more interesting sound. **French horns** are also one of the most important instruments in symphony orchestras, concert bands, brass ensembles, and marching bands. Like the trombone and baritone, **French horn** groups are typically smaller, allowing students more individual attention from the teacher.

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Here is a short video clip of Swedish horn player Annamia Eriksson playing music from the opera, Siegfried. Annamia is one of the world's most gifted French horn players and she is still in her 20s! As you can hear, the French Horn can play a variety of different sounds and styles!

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 * Some famous **French horn** players are Annamia Erksson (above), Jennifer Montone, Philip Farkas, and Dale Clevinger.
 * **Horn** players always perform with one hand cupped inside of the bell of the instrument. This creates a more mellow, focused sound than if you were to play with the bell open.
 * If you like the sound of the **French horn**, but think you might prefer something a bit brighter and more lively, you might like playing the trumpet.
 * If you like the **French horn** but want a lower, darker sound, you might enjoy learning either the trombone or the baritone horn.
 * **Triva**: The predecessor to the modern **French horn** was a hunting horn, often used on horse back to send signals back and forth between hunters. This is why the bell of the **French horn** faces away from you when playing. When performing in a marching band, most **horn** players use an instrument called a mellophone. This instrument has a front-facing bell so that the student does not have to march backwards!