How do you tune the french horn?

Answer 1

It is a perfect fourth lower than a concert pitch. That is, a pitch that is played on a piano, Trombone, tuba, Flute, Oboe, or any stringed instrument. Ex: if one of those instruments were to play a F, the horn would be playing a C.

Answer 2

There are a number of ways you can do this. For one you can pull out your main tuning slide (the one on top) if you are sharp. If you are flat, you do the opposite. BUT some models require you to pull or push in your F slide too because the main slide controls EVERYTHING. Another thing you can do if your'e flat is raise the back of your tongue and then point your air stream down. And vise versa if you are sharp. And lastly, there are some notes that are naturally sharp or flat on the instrument. For example your A is naturally sharp. So you can use alternate fingerings besides 1 and 2 with trigger. You can also use Trigger 3rd. if you have any other questions, I'd ask your director. I hope this helps!!!

Answer 3

There are about five ways to change pitch on a horn.

1.) The easiest is the valves. There are 7 unique combinations (including "open") on a single horn, and even more on a double or triple. The valves change the pitch of the horn by increasing the length of tubing that a players air has to travel.

2.) Buzzing frequency. By changing the pitch of a buzz into the mouthpiece up or down, the horn will respond by moving up or down to the next partial of the harmonic series. This is how horn players move to pitches other than the 7 possible with just valves.

3.) Air speed. Faster air causes a higher not to resonate, while slower air (in more volume) will create lower notes.

4.) The Aperture. A smaller stream of air will be focused, and faster like in number 2, which will create a higher note. A large stream of air will be lower.

5.) The hand. The right hand (inside the bell) can be used to mute the horn, which causes the horn to jump up a half step, or stop the horn, which causes the horn to jump up a whole step. This is how natural (valveless) horn players did it back in the classical and early romantic era.

Pitches can also be "bent" by changing the position of the tongue in the mouth.

Answer 4

Cold, fast air. It also helps to tighten up your lips a bit. But mainly, practise, practise, practise.

Answer 5

The pitch can be changed by using different valves so the air travels different ways and distances. Also, your embouchure and the speed at which you buzz can alter the pitch.