First French Horns

Most students begin playing the horn, also known as the French horn, on a single horn. Beginner, or student, horns are made out of brass, with rotor valves and bearings that are tapered. Most beginner horns are in the key of F, while other student horns are in the key of Bb. For most high school and junior high school bands, a horn in F is preferable. These instruments have fixed bells and string valve linkage.

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Step-Up French Horns

When a horn player is able to easily produce notes in the upper and lower registers and is able to support additional weight, they may be ready for an intermediate horn. Most intermediate level horns are double horns. This means there are two sets of tuning slides and the player can choose which set to use, one set in F, another in B-flat. This is controlled by a thumb key, which allows the performer to choose which side of the horn they are playing on. Some intermediate horns have options such as silver plated bells, mechanical valve linkage (as opposed to string linkage) and detachable bells (allowing a more compact case).

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Professional Double French Horn

Professional double horns, when properly crafted, are a work of art. These horns have two different types of tuning slide wraps. Kruspe Style and Geyer Style. Both wraps have a 4th rotor valve, however, they differ in the placement of these valves. Kruspe Style double horns have the 4th rotor located adjacent to the 1st finger rotary valve. Geyer Style double horns have the 4th rotor located adjacent to the 3rd rotary valve instead of the 1st rotor. Professional horns are made with upgraded materials for better tone production and projection. For the bell, yellow, rose, or gold brass can be used, creating different tonal characteristics. Yellow brass is used for producing a clear, full and rich sound. This is the most common brass used. Rose Brass is used to offer a much warmer tone than Yellow Brass. Gold Brass is used for those who prefer a compromise between Rose Brass and Yellow Brass. Some of these horns are silver-plated for additional tonal coloration.

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