Tips for high notes on marching and concert french horn?

Question

Hi, I'm a flute player who played for 7 years who just decided to switch to french horn last May. I've made some great progress, my band teacher even says I'm becoming a better horn player than I was a flute player. However, marching band just started again, and there are a few high notes in the music I've been having trouble with. I can't seem to hit an A on the staff (I play a Bb horn, but my music is written in F) and when I try an A for too long, G seems to become difficult too. Does anyone have any tips for how I should be positioning my mouth, and how I can strengthen my embrochure before the end of this marching season?

Answer 1

They're making you MARCH?  With a French Horn?  When I was playing in band, I started out on the FH and they didn't let me play in the march.  I did cymbals instead.  Kudos to you!

Answer 2

Wait, are you saying you can't get an A ON THE STAFF?  The one in the second space?  That isn't a problem note at all.  Are you trying to transpose the instrument into F or something?  I am just scratching my head.  Are you using a 1-2 fingering... that is the correct one.  And the G is 1-3.   If you can't find a note that is kind of low in the staff I have to suspect you are using the wrong fingerings.

   Sorry you have to march : (

Regards....LLB

Answer 3

A and G on the staff or above the staff? on the staff its easy to play except when u get to high E and F.I had been playing french horn for about 2 years.when u wanna get high notes out pretend you are blowing through a straw out really fast air.I would think you would play a mellophone in the marching band.The highest I can get on the frenchhorn is to a high A above the staff

Answer 4

One thing you have to remember was said best by my band director: "The Mellophone isn't a real instrument"  Technically it is a rewrapped f-alto horn.  But on to your problem.  AIR!!!!! Lots and lots of air from your diaphragm.  If your embouchure is wrong by all means fix it.  It will be harder the first week or two but the payoff will be huge.  Without changing the placement of the mouthpiece on your lips try to pull your bottom lip down some and drop your jaw.  Don't tense up either.  Start on a 3rd space C and try to slur up to the A a note at a time.  A should really have about the same embouchure just a little bit more lip tension.

Answer 5

I'd advise you to push as much air as possible and don't squeeze your lips together.  Practice frequently using lip slurs from a book like Foundations for Superior Performance.

Whatever you do, don't change where you put the instrument on your lips.  Even if it's wrong, trying to move the mouthpiece higher or lower will only mess you up.  Just keep practicing.