What Makes The French Horn Hard?
Oct.18, 2009 in
Orchestral Instrument Review Articles
I’m 13 right now, and I’m planning on starting an orchestral instrument for school. I’ve been researching the French Horn, but a lot of people say it’s hard and I want to know specifically WHY the French Horn is so hard. Also, how long would it take to learn it so that I can play some basic pieces and make a decent sound most of the time I play? I have about 1-2 hours a day to practice.
Related posts:
- Orchestral Instrument. . . Trumpet Or The French Horn? I’m planning on starting an Orchestral instrument for school and...
- The magic of the Horn For many years I have been very interested in a...
- Practice, practice and Practice Although cliche ©, the old adage could? T be more...
- Giardinelli French Horn Master Care Pack ...
- Bach S385 French Horn Mouthpiece Adapter ...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
October 18th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Hey Phil.
But seriously, if you are passionate about French Horn, I suggest you get a GOOD private teacher and take up the challenge! 
You shouldn’t worry about french horn being hard. In fact, ALL instruments are hard to play- some people just master the technique required to play it faster than others.
There are no superior or inferior instruments!
Wind instruments (especially orchestral instruments) are in general difficult because you need to know things like breath support etc.
I don’t really see why you can’t do it.
As for practice time, 1-2 hours are fine in the beginning when you’re not used to breath support etc, but eventually, when you get better and start playing etudes and scales and whatnot, you are going to need longer practise time. HOWEVER, it’s not the amount of TIME you practise- because it’s what you do WITH your practise time that counts.
Good luck!
xoxox
October 18th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I do know that french horn is hard to start a note. That and oboe are the two hardest instruments to get a clear, crisp starting note. Also, a big warm, confident tone is hard to achieve.
It depends on your musical background for playing songs. If you can read music already that’s a plus. If you have 1-2 hours to practice a day, that is awesome and I’m sure you’ll be fine. From what I’ve experienced in school/community orchestras is that all the students who say french horn is hard are the kids that never practice or put the commitment into music. If you really will practice as much as you say you will, it won’t be harder than any other instrument.
Good luck!! Music is an awesome area to go into it. You’ll have it for life if you stick with it.
October 18th, 2009 at 5:58 am
people think it’s hard because it is in comparison to other instruments. the main thing that makes it difficult is in the mouthpiece. when you buzz your lips, you need to make them tighter or looser, depending on the note you are trying to play. a french hornist can play many many different notes with the same fingering, and just by buzzing their lips higher or lower. so when you want to make a certain note, there are more chances for error or to play the note that you don’t intend to play. on a trombone, pretty much only one or just a few notes come out with the same slide position, so there is a fewer chance of making a wrong note.
to make a nice sound when you play the french horn, remember to keep your throat open. don’t close it as if you were saying EEEEEEEEEEEEE. open it as if you were saying Ahhhhhhh. that will give you a good sound.
October 18th, 2009 at 6:31 am
I think what people mean is that it is harder than other brass instruments like the trumpet. I played the trumpet in school and also tried the French horn. One thing I found harder is that there are a lot more notes you can play as you tighten your lips. With the trumpet, you can play open notes middle C, G, and high C. With the French horn there are more, so you need better lip control.
That said, it is an incredibly beautiful instrument. Have lots of fun no matter which instrument you choose!
October 18th, 2009 at 6:47 am
it has a very small mouthpiece. It’s difficult to blow enough air through it and to keep your lips tight enough while doing it. However, 1-2 hours of practice is a lot of time and I think you can definitely learn basic pieces well in a short period of time
October 18th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Because the mouthpiece is shaped oddly. And the spit accumulates really bad, so you gurgle a lot. It also hurts your teeth. Mellophone (Marching style french horn) is a lot easier to play.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:54 am
because you have to force the wind from your body to the lungs and out through your mouth in to the tailpiece
October 18th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Tickle the balls.
October 18th, 2009 at 9:09 am
becuse you blow into it
October 18th, 2009 at 9:46 am
It is made of metal