The Fundamentals of Playing the French Horn

1
The Fundamentals of Playing the French Horn

• By Mr. Ogle
• Instrumental Music
• Grade 6

2
Learning Objectives

• After completing the tutorial you will have the
  skills necessary to begin playing the French
  Horn.
• TN State Standards
• Content Standard 2.0 Playing Instruments

3
Directions

• Use these buttons to help you navigate the
  tutorial.
• The button will take you to the next
  slide.
• The button will take you to the
  previous slide.
• The button will take you to the main
  menu.
• The button will take you directly to
  the quiz.

4
Main MenuChoose a subject below and read each
before taking the Quiz.

• Assembly of the French Horn
• Posture and Hand Position
• Producing a Good Sound
• Summary
• Quiz
• Exit

5
Assembly

• Before removing your French Horn from the case
  you must first place the case on the floor in
  front of you with the latches facing upward. Make
  sure that the latches flip up to open the case
  correctly.
• After opening the case, take the French Horn out
  of the case using both hands.
• Place the Instrument in your lap securely before
  taking the mouthpiece out of the case.
• Take the mouthpiece out of the case and place it
  in the mouthpiece receiver. Do NOT jam the
  mouthpiece but gently place it in the receiver
  and turn it a one quarter turn.

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Posture and Holding Position (1 of 2)

• Posture is a very important aspect of playing any
  instrument. Posture can affect tone production,
  technique, and performance credibility.
• Steps for Good Posture are the following
• 1. Sit up straight and tall with your back off of
  the seat.
• 2. Sit towards the edge of the seat.
• 3. Place your feet flat on the floor.

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Posture and Holding Position (2 of 2)

• Holding Position
• Using good posture and hand placement, bring the
  horn to you with the mouthpiece resting on your
  lips.
• Left Hand Placement
• Place your little finger in the pinkie ring and
  your thumb on the fourth valve or thumb ring
  depending on the instrument.
• Place your other three fingers on the valves.
• Place the French Horn on your right thigh with
  the bell facing backwards.
• Right Hand Placement
• Take your right hand and cup it slightly with
  your fingers together and your thumb next to your
  index finger.
• Place your cupped right hand in into the bell of
  the French Horn with the backs of your fingers
  touching the side of the bell facing away from
  you.

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Producing a Good Sound (1 of 3)

• Embouchure
• The embouchure is the position of the mouth
  against the mouthpiece through which a tone is
  produced.
• How to form your Embouchure
• First you must moisten your lips.
• Second bring your lips together evenly and say a
  M syllable. Make sure that your teeth are open
  and your lips and jaw is loose.
• Use your thumb and index finger to hold the
  mouthpiece gently against your newly formed
  embouchure with 2/3 of the mouthpiece touching
  your upper lip and 1/3 of the mouthpiece touching
  your bottom lip.

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Producing a Good Sound (2 of 3)

• Buzzing is the vibration of the lips with a good
  embouchure and breath support through a
  mouthpiece.
• A good tone is produced when you can properly
  buzz on the mouthpiece.
• This is how you buzz
• First you must form the proper embouchure.
• With good air support, push a steady stream of
  air through the center of your lips making a
  buzzing sound.

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Producing a Good Sound (3 of 3)

• Breath Support
• When playing a wind instrument it is very
  important to use good breath support.
• Good breath support starts with good posture!
• This is how you feel if you are using the proper
  breathing technique and breath support needed to
  play your horn
• First place your left hand on your chest and your
  right hand on your stomach.
• Take a deep breath opening your throat almost as
  if you are yawning.
• You should feel your right hand moving outward
  from your stomach and not your left hand from
  your chest.
• Once you know that you are breathing in
  correctly, release the air in a steady stream
  releasing all of the air you just took in.

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Summary

• Demonstrating good posture means that you are
  sitting up straight and tall with you feet flat
  on the floor and your back off of the back of the
  chair.
• When placing your right hand in the French horn
  is should be slightly cupped unless told
  otherwise by the music.
• Never jam the mouthpiece in the mouthpiece
  receiver. Always place the mouthpiece in gently
  and turn it a one quarter turn.
• When forming your embouchure you should say M
  with your teeth open and your jaw loose.
• Always handle your French Horn with care when
  taking it in and out of the case. Always place
  the case in the floor before opening it.
• A good buzz A good tone
• When bring the mouthpiece to your lips always
  remember that 2/3 of your upper lip is touching
  the mouthpiece and 1/3 of it is touching the
  bottom lip.

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The Quiz

• If you have read all of the tutorial slides you
  are ready to begin the quiz.
• Read each question carefully and select the
  correct answer.
• Good Luck!

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Question 1

• Where should you place your French horn case
  before you open it?
• A. On the floor.
• B. On your chair.
• C. On your lap.
• D. On the ceiling.

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• Thats correct! Awesome job!

15

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 2

• Which of the following is NOT a part of good
  posture?
• A. Your feet flat on the floor.
• B. Your back off the back of the chair.
• C. Leaning over to play your instrument.
• D. Sitting up straight and tall.

17

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

18

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 3

• What syllable is used when forming a good
  embouchure?
• A. S
• B. M
• C. D
• D. Ah

20

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

21

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 4

• What position is your right hand in while playing
  the French Horn?
• A. Fist
• B. Flat
• C. You dont need your right hand.
• D. Slightly cupped

23

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

24

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 5

• True or False? A good buzz in the mouthpiece
  will produce a bad tone.
• A. True
• B. False

26

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

27

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 6

• How much of the mouthpiece should be touching
  your upper lip?
• A. 2/3
• B. 1/2
• C. 1/4
• D. 1/3

29

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

30

• Sorry, keep on trying

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Question 7

• How far should you turn your mouthpiece when you
  place it in the mouthpiece receiver?
• A. All the way around.
• B. A one quarter turn.
• C. Do not turn it.
• D. Turn it half way.

32

• Thats correct! Awesome job!

33

• Sorry, keep on trying

34
Exit

• Congratulations!
• You have successfully completed the tutorial!
• Now you can begin the French horn!