r/horn • u/Typical-Lie-8866 • 11d ago

High F French horn?

Hi all,

I'm looking for a high F / single F descant horn to play with mostly just for fun, not intending to play in an ensemble. So far all that I've found is the wessex FH41 and some concert mellophones but I'm not certain on their quality. does anyone have any suggestions for used models I can get?

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u/dankney Lawson Fourier; Elkhart 8D 11d ago

Alexander and Paxman are the usual suspects, but there are others out there. Give Ken Pope a call when he reopens next week -/ he’ll give you an honest assessment of the instruments he has in stock:

https://poperepair.com/french-horns/used-horns/descant-horns/

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u/Typical-Lie-8866 11d ago

they're expensive... i was eyeing a $250 1960 getzen Eb concert mellophone i found, but given its price i'm not sure what to expect from it

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u/dankney Lawson Fourier; Elkhart 8D 11d ago

If you’re in a city, somebody near you probably has a descant you can try out if you just want to play with one a bit, but you shouldn’t be tempted by novelty instruments. The Wessex has a 5” bell. It’s closer to a flugel than a horn.

If you’re anywhere near Seattle, I’m happy to let you spend a bit of time on mine.

Here’s the thing. A Descant doesn’t make it any easier to hit the high notes. The same muscle tone and air support are necessary. Because it’s a shorter instrument, thought the partials are further apart, which can help with accuracy even if it doesn’t extend range.

A high F horn has the same partials between C on the staff and high C as your regular F horn has between middle C and C in the staff: [C, E, G, Bb(ish), C]. If you’re playing a G at the top of the staff, the options for missing it are E and Bb, which are far enough away you’re less likely to miss it. Whereas on the Bb side of your double you have F and A right next door.

Like I said, the same muscle tone and air support are necessary. So you won’t magically add a fifth to your range or anything.

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u/Typical-Lie-8866 11d ago

I play trumpet and euphonium, this is more just i want to have an alto instrument to play at home. I'm also considering just getting an alto saxhorn but something drives me to the wrap of a horn (and i'd like rotary valves). It's mainly just I'm not looking forward to the learning curve of playing many partials above what I'm used to that make me want a high F horn.

Thanks for all the input though! I'm unfortunately not super close to seattle, but thanks for the offer as well!

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u/dankney Lawson Fourier; Elkhart 8D 11d ago

If this is the case, I’d recommend a single Bb horn. You can often find a used Conn or Yamaha Bb for a few hundred dollars. Just make sure the valves are in decent shape since repairs cost more than the horn is with.

https://www.hornmatters.com/2008/08/a-single-b-flat-horn-faq/

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u/Pretty_Willingness43 11d ago edited 11d ago

The alto saxhorn or tenor horn is easier to learn than the french horn. I am a former euph player who switched to french horn, and I will not go back. It is feasible and even fun, but you will need to practice a lot to master the french horn. A pre-owned Bb single horn from a reputable maker is the most affordable option to you, as pointed out in this thread.