The French horn: An Ageless Instrument
The French horn: An Ageless Instrument
The French horn being a truly coiled brass instrument with flared bells is said to possess great uniqueness.
It is therefore quite indispensable to classical music, film scoring, and other contemporary compositions.
A very significant component of any orchestra is the horn piece, which adds depth, warmth, and a heroic sound.
The French Horn
The French horn has a particular relation with France; it has not become exclusively developed in that country.
The term has been derived from a concept in the 1600s when it came to French artisans who created hunting horns.
Advancements into more modern times, however, came from Germany.
Who invented the French horn?
Who invented french horn? The French horn hasn’t been invented by a single innovation. Its crafting has been a gradual one, improved upon by many innovators.
In 1814, the first valve system was invented by Heinrich Stoelzel and Friedrich Blühmel. This invention allowed the musicians to perform a much wider and more precise note series.
Later on, a German horn maker, Fritz Kruspe, improved it further by creating double French horn towards the end of the 19th cent-ury.
The enhanced playability and versatility forced this instrument to become the standard in orchestras.
Ancient Horns: The Earliest Beginnings
The early horns were an animal’s horns made for communicating, celebrating, and military purposes.
The Hebrew shofar is one such famous example ram’s horn still used in the religious ceremonies of the Jews.
These trumpets had no possibility at all of controlling the pitch, and the musician had to depend entirely on his lips for changing notes.
The Evolution of the Horn in Music
By the 16th century, brass horns were now being used in operas. Yet, the major drawback was that they could only play a few notes. The musician had to change horns to play different keys.
For example, the bigger bells were some of the main modifications made in the 17th century. It was accordingly harbored the “cor de chasse” or hunting horn.
Then in 1753, German musician Anton Hampel supplemented them with slides, called crooks, to change pitch. This development helped to modernize the horn.
Advances in Sound and Playability
Inventions Caring for Sound and Playability It was in 1760 that musicians realized inserting a hand into the bell would be able to lower pitch.
This technique, known as stopping, acts as a medium of sound control by the musician. Around the turn of the 19th century, valves superseded crooks.
With this, the musician can perform smooth shifts between notes. The advances made in history have participated in shaping what we know now as the modern French horn, wwhich becamethe double horn.
While it is called a “French horn,” its modern form was developed in Germany. Most professional horns are still made there.
The Different Varieties of French Horns
These are the three most common types of the modern French horn: single, double, and triple horns. Most are also fitted with a detachable bell for handy convenience.
The Single French Horn
It is lightweight and often used by students or beginning players. It has three rotary valves and one tubing set called slides.
Holding and playing it is easier, but it can at times prove to be limiting. Higher notes tend to be quite difficult to produce.
On this ground, the double horn was created. This was by the work of Fritz Kruspe.
The Double French Horn
He built the first double horn designed by Kruspe in 1897. The design was finalized in 1900.
The single horn had some problems that Kruspe solved by adding extra tubing and a fourth valve.
The double horn thus became the chosen instrument of orchestras. It has added accuracy and a fuller range of notes.
The Triple French Horn
The triple horn is perhaps the least common but brings even more versatility with a third set of tubing and an extra thumb valve to allow playing higher notes with ease.
Conclusion
From its origins in the early animal horn, the French horn has traveled a long distance with a revolution over many centuries.
Therefore, today, it is one of the most versatile and charming instruments in the world of music.
