The

Horn

By Jordan Owen,
Kelsey Byrum, and
Zach Collins

History of the Horn

Ram Horn
-Warning
-Hunting
-Religion

History Cont.
Natural Horn

-No valves - lip tension, crooks, handstopping

-The most commonly used horn in the
1700s and 1800s until the valved horn was
invented.

History Cont.
Valved Horn

-Longer tubing
-Three valves
-Tuning slide
-*Ability to play in different keys!*

History Cont.
Modern-day horn
-Rotary valves
-Older versions use piston valves
-Tuned in F or B flat
-More tuning slides
-Wider range

The Different Types of Horns

-Single Horn (Bb OR F)
-Double Horn (Bb AND F)
-Compensating Horn (Bb and/or F)

Single Horn
-Key of F or Bb
-F horn has longer tubing; Bb has shorter tubing
-Bb for higher registers; F for lower
-F has a larger harmonic series than Bb
-Used more by Beginners

Double Horn
-Comes in both keys F and Bb
-Double the amount of tubing
-Used more by professionals
-Key diverts airflow

Compensating Horn
-Halfway between double and single horn
-Mainly in Bb but also plays in F
-Cheaper to produce: Less tubing
-Good for advancing players

Horn Basics
-Players must have exceptional hearing skills
-Right hand in bell changes pitch
-Embouchure: upper lip, lower lip
-Many alternate fingerings
-Facility of all registers is essential
-Treble clef and bass clef

Horn Technique
-Warming up is important
-Lip trills
-Take the mouthpiece away during rests
-Stopped horn
-Close right hand in the bell
-Raises pitch by a half step
-Stop mutes
-Students must be able to transpose