How to Play the French Horn - Fingering Chart & Flashcards
Download the Free StepWise French Horn Fingering Chart
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The French Horn is, BY FAR, the most complicated brass instrument. Factors contributing to this include:
1. It uses more Partials (or Harmonics, or Overtones) than other brass instruments 2. There are three common kinds of French Horns: A. Single F Horn - used by some beginning & intermediate students B. Single B-Flat Horn - used typically in the marching band - "Mellophone" B. Double Horn - an F Horn that has an added B-Flat Thumb valve 3. There are some partials on the French Horn that are not used Therefore, understanding the StepWise French Horn fingering chart takes more explanation than the other brass instruments. However, once it is understood, it leaves nothing to guesswork, and provides the students with ALL the answers about this amazing instrument. See below for a detailed explanation that will even make experienced horn players say, "Aha! I get it now!" | ||
Understanding French Horn Fingerings on the Flashcards
Partials, Harmonics, or Overtones
Slanted horizontal lines represent each partial (or Harmonic, or Overtone) on the French Horn.
Because the French Horn has so many different partials, some are shown below the "horn" and some are shown above. Notice the French Horn valves are shown slanted, which mimics the feel of the valves when the horn is in playing position. |
Single vs. Double Horns
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When playing notes on the upper partials, the fingering depends on whether the student is using a Single Horn or a Double Horn.
Single (F) Horn fingerings are shown on the upper left, and Double (B-Flat) Horn fingerings on the upper right (notice the Thumb valves there). |
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Skipped Partials
On the French Horn, some partials are not used because they are extremely out of tune. The skipped partials are shown with light dotted lines as shown here. |
Overview
In General, the chart can be read this way:
From left to right, you see what fingering to use. From bottom to top, you see how high the note is, or how high it must be buzzed with your lips. |
