What is a French Horn?
The French horn is a beautifully rich and expressive instrument with a warm, velvety tone. It has one of the most recognizable sounds in music, heard in concert bands, orchestras, and movie soundtracks!
The French horn is a brass instrument, meaning players create sound by buzzing their lips into a mouthpiece. Most of these instruments are made from “brass”, however there can also be many other types of materials used. It has a circular shape with long coiled tubing and a wide, flared bell. Players also use their right hand inside the bell to help shape the sound and adjust tuning.
You can hear the French horn in iconic heroic movie scores like Star Wars. Learning the horn builds strong breath control, coordination, and ear training—making it both a challenge and a rewarding experience!
Some famous French horn players include Barry Tuckwell, Sarah Willis, Dennis Brain, Dale Clevenger, and even Youtuber, Keith Habersburger, from The Try Guys!
Renting a French Horn
Renting a French horn is a great way to let your child explore music without the big upfront cost of buying one. Kids grow, interests change, and a rental gives them the flexibility to try without committing to a purchase. Plus, our rental program makes it easy and affordable!
We offer two rental options:
🎵 Like-New – A high-quality, professionally inspected horn with minor cosmetic blemishes. Budget-friendly, with protection for damage, theft, and maintenance. Every payment up to 36 months, minus tax, goes toward purchasing a brand-new horn of choice. (Rent-to-Purchase)
🎵 New – A never-used horn with the same protection and the option to own it after paying it off. (Rent-to-Own)
Every student rental includes:
✔ French horn, case, mouthpiece, and their first bottle of rotor oil
✔ 4-month trial period
✔ Protection coverage (for accidents, theft, and maintenance)
✔ Free school delivery
✔ Easy purchase plans
✔ Legendary Brighton Music Center service!
With flexible plans and expert support, getting started has never been easier. Let’s make music happen! 🎶
French Horn Care & Maintenance
A well-maintained French horn plays better and lasts longer! Here are the must-have supplies every horn player should use:
✨ Cleaning Snake & Brush – Helps clean the tubing to prevent buildup inside the horn.
✨ Rotor Oils – Keeps the rotary valves moving smoothly for fast, easy playing.
✨ Slide Grease – Used on tuning slides to keep them moving freely and prevent sticking.
✨ Mouthpiece Brush – Keeps the mouthpiece clean for the best sound and hygiene.
✨ Proper Case – Always store the horn in its case when not in use to protect it from dents and damage.
Regular cleaning and careful handling will keep a French horn sounding great! Need supplies? We’ve got everything your horn player needs! 🎶
Types of French Horns
As your child progresses, they may need a French horn that matches their growing skills. Horns come in three main levels, with differences in materials and features:
🎵 Single Horns – These are lighter and easier to play, making them ideal for beginners. They typically come in F or Bb, with the F horn having a warmer tone and the Bb horn offering better accuracy in higher notes. (This is what we rent in our Beginning Band Rentals)
🎵 Double Horns – Most intermediate and professional players use double horns, which combine both F and Bb tuning in one instrument. This allows for better intonation, easier high notes, and more versatility across different styles of music.
🎵 Triple Horns – Advanced players may use a triple horn, which adds a third tuning option for even more flexibility. These are rare and mostly used in professional orchestras.
Exploring More Horns!
As your child grows as a musician, they may come across other brass instruments that complement the French horn:
🎵 Mellophone – Used in marching bands, the mellophone is a marching-friendly version of the horn with a forward-facing bell and easier projection.
🎵 Wagner Tuba – A rare instrument with a darker tone, used in orchestras for certain classical works.
If your child is ready to upgrade their French horn, we’re here to help! Schedule a demo appointment to try out step-up horns and find the perfect fit. Experience the difference in sound, feel, and performance—because the right horn can make all the difference! 🎶