Hey! I just started the French Horn this September, and I have to say I've fallen in love with the sound it makes. I have a question regarding what kind of range I should have at this 7-month point. I have a regular, pretty rigourous practice schedule and do lip exercises as much as I can; As of now, I can hit from low D three lines below the staff to high G above the staff, and I'm getting closer to high A. Someone told me I was a little bit behind as far as range goes. I know some of you hornists on here are really experienced, so what would you say about that? And if I am lacking, what extra exercises can I do to help expand?

Oh, and I use a Holton-Farkas mouthpiece on a Holton Double Horn... but the Bb trigger has been out-of-order, so I've been playing it a Single horn.

I'd say that's good for someone who recently started picked up an instrument. With regular practice your range should steadily increase (not quickly, just steadily) so there's no need to worry much.

If you've previously played a brass instrument, that would change the situation, but as it is, you're doing good.

i played less time than you did and can hit top c so yeah

pntbrescued,

For 7 months that is a good range. And as stated earlier by someone else a steady increase in range is better that a quick one. Always remember tone is important, and most importnat. Hitting a high is no good if you can't play it in tune and with a good sound.

If you want to PM your practice routine I can review it and if I see anything I can suggest to help you I will.

Thanks, everyone, I was getting a little bit worried for while there. I played the flute for six years before making the switch to horn, so it's been a pretty big adventure for me so far.

And thanks, JOhn, that would be really helpful! I always love to get other people's insight on these kind of things

I also played flute for a number of years before learning french horn - many many years ago now.

If you don't have a good teacher I would suggest you get one. In addition, to setting expectations he or she will help to guide your developmentto develop agility, slurring, dynamics, expression, tone as well as range ... but you shouldn't expect to achieve all of this in a matter of months!

I would say a safe range from d to g2 on a single F-Horn is very, very good for learning just 7 Month. With "I can hit ..." I think you mean, the note is reachable, but it is not very safe. But anyway, I think this is good result. Keep practicing.
Kind regards,
a4711

Yeah, naturally, I have better security in the middle potion of my range as opposed to the ends of it. But tone is my #1 prority... and I always try to reach a certain level of stability in a note before I move on. Taking it step-by-step kind of thing