French Horn Equipment Resources
Here you’ll find my equipment-related resources and pages.
Mouthpiece Comparison Chart
Looking to change or upgrade your mouthpiece, but don’t know much about it? I’ve put the crucial measurements of over 500 mouthpieces in one place – making it easier for you to compare and contrast. Check it out!
Choosing a Mouthpiece
Having trouble deciding where to begin your mouthpiece search? You’re not alone. Here is a bit about my own mouthpiece journey, and some useful ways to narrow down your mouthpiece search!
Types of French Horns
Confused about the difference between single horns, double horns, triple horns, descant horns, and all the rest? This page sorts out the most common (and a few uncommon) types of instruments that you’ll run across!
Buying a French Horn
Buying a horn can be stressful! The number of different brands and models alone can be overwhelming, plus the high price tag and the existence of cheap knock-off horns make it hard to decide without expert help. This guide should help you separate the good horns from the bad!
French Horn Cleaning & Maintenance
Keeping your French horn clean and in good working order isn’t difficult, but regular maintenance is essential! Here are the basics of horn maintenance that anyone can (and should) do!
French Horn Music Resources
These are all my music and technique-related pages.
French Horn Exercises
Looking for some new warm-up ideas? Need work on scales, slurs, lip trills, or other aspects of horn playing? I’ve got all sorts of French horn exercises for all levels of players – beginner to advanced – available.
French Horn Books & Music
Hundreds of different etudes, solos, and horn chamber music, categorized by difficulty. Ideal for Solo & Ensemble, recitals, or other performances. This page also includes books on performance anxiety, productivity general musical knowledge, and more!
Notable Recordings for French Horn
Looking for some recordings of your favorite orchestral or horn repertoire? Need to help a student find their sound? Here is a listing of some of the most iconic horn solos, chamber music, and orchestral recordings of the past and present.
French Horn Technique Guides
These pages cover topics that many younger players have trouble with. These are also great resources for non-brass band or orchestra directors, to help them better understand the French horn.
Audition Practice Guide
Auditioning is a source of stress for almost all players. But you can practice the act of auditioning just like you practice any other aspect of horn technique or music.
French Horn Tuning Guide
Tuning the French horn can be challenge for many players. Which note(s) to tune, which slide(s) to move, and how to do it all quickly are all covered here. Along with pictures explaining the functions of all the slides.
A Guide to the Right Hand
For some horn players (and band directors) the French horn player’s right hand is a mystery. While nothing beats an in-person lesson, here are some guidelines about how to find the best position for your right hand.
French Horn Transposition Guide
For many young horn players, transposition is one of those skills that is ignored as long as possible. However, with a little bit of practice (and my transposition chart) transposing horn parts can become almost second nature!
Other French Horn/Music Resources
In addition to the above pages, I also regularly post French horn and music-related content on my blog.
You can find the most recent articles below, or click here for the full archive.
Improving Endurance on the French Horn
For brass instrument players, endurance can be a challenging skill to develop. Here are my thoughts on what real endurance requires.
Why Substituting Intensity for Consistency Leads to Audition Disappointment – and How to Fix It.
Trying to substitute intensity for consistency in any musical practice is a recipe for disappointment. Here’s a better way.
All-District/All-State Audition Preparation
A few thoughts on preparing for All-District and All-State auditions for middle and high school students.
How 5 Minutes of Practice Can Lead to Real Change
It seems counter-intuitive, but a 5 minute per day practice plan can lead to long-term improvement.
Thoughts on Getting Gigs in a Pit
Getting work in the pit for musical theater shows can seem like an impossible challenge. Here are some ideas on how to improve your chances on getting those gigs.
Two Music Practice Styles: Assembly Line vs. Kanban
Most students practice like they are working on a Ford assembly line. But a method developed by Toyota in the late 1940’s can unlock so much more.
2022-23 Kentucky All-State Etudes
Prepare for the 2022-23 KMEA Kentucky All-State French horn audition with these practice tips, recordings, and practice resources!
Starting (and Maintaining) A Practice Routine
When is a good time to start (or improve) your practice routine? Right NOW! Here are some ways to start (or tweak) your practice for maximum results.
The Dip and The Gap – Working as a Creative
The Dip and The Gap are two important concepts for anyone working in a creative field. These two videos can help you understand these two concepts and discover if you want to work through them (or quit).
Taking a Summer Practice Break
The summer is a prime time for taking a bit of a break from the horn. However, there are a couple of things to consider to make sure you’re prepared AFTER your break is over.
Atomic Practice
Two practice strategies to help students develop a consistent practice habit and improve their technique at the same time.
One-on-One Help
If you need one-on-one help with horn playing, or you’re looking for help with your website, you can use the links below to contact me.
Need French Horn Lessons?
Whether you need a single lesson to prepare for an upcoming audition or if you want long-term lessons for your child (or yourself), you can contact me.
Lessons are offered both in-person and online, and I teach all levels of students.
Need A Website (or Help with Your Current Site)
In addition to being a musician, I’ve also been building and maintaining website for 20+ years!
If you need a website for your music studio, yourself, or a small business, contact me!