How to Play French Horn : French Horn Training Methods

Use training methods for learning difficult French horn pieces; learn how with tips from our expert French horn player in this free orchestra video music lesson on French horns.

Expert: Katherine Liesener
Bio: Katherine Liesener has played French horn for 15 years. She has performed with Opera Illinois and the Danville Symphony Orchestra, and won a solo competition with the Praire Wind Ensemble of Peoria.
Filmmaker: macaela vandermost

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• french
• horn
• orchestra
• music
• instrument
• brass
• lessons
• howto
• video
• instructional

[Emmamalou]

She sounds good, but she should sit up straighter! That posture will make taking good, deep breaths difficult.

[the007hami]

its a really good method, but shes holding the horn in the wrong posistion. how can you play hunched over- you dont get enought air into your lungs!! but great technique thanx

[harveycor]

Katie- PLEASE take this video down and do another one the right way... Starting with basic Air Support. You are giving horn teachers a bad rep... Thanks!

[rachel25lee]

Stankinator911, aaaaaah, I see. I attempted that last year in band, and I found it worked a tad more efficiently. Thank you very much for your input. XD ~Appreciations!!!

[Stankinator911]

@rachel25lee This differs slightly from person to person. Generally I think it's close to half and half, but for me (for example) [gets out instrument and pretends to make sound...] I think I sometimes use slightly more bottom lip than top (esp. in extreme high register), or if I'm playing long passages in a very low register (almost exclusively used with passages written entirely in bass clef) I'll occasionally use much more top than bottom lip.

[Stankinator911]

@Nailsdewed No. A second line G on the horn is a concert middle C. On a trumpet the same pitch is written as a D immediately below the staff. (F in F horn stands for F, not French, meaning that reading a C plays the pitch of F. Similarly, on a Bb trumpet, reading a C gives the pitch of Bb). Of course, most horns are double horns with an F and a Bb, meaning if the horn player knows how to hold a button down he/she can play trumpet music easily, besides perhaps parts in the high register.

[TyrantRave0]

Bitch looks like weird al when she plays :/

[DanielProctor775]

@Nailsdewed I returned my rental a long time ago. I wish I could give you an answer without any doubts, but I believe it starts on C on paper just like a trumpet. I'm not a reliable source for only playing it a month and returning, but I believe that's correct.

[OldChikity]

I love how her name in the video doesnt match her name in the description... FAIL

[shib340]

she is not very good...

[DanielProctor775]

@trr321321 And thank you very much

[trr321321]

@DanielProctor775

Generally you get used to pulling the slides out and dumping out the water. That's normal for hornists. You will get to where you can do it even in a two measure rest. You could get water keys added to the horn, but I don't have any recommendation about that. Good luck.