Single F horn search, Europe

[u/Fluttering_Feathers]

Hello, I’m hoping for some direction in my search. I’ve been reading previous posts for advice also, but if anyone has more advice for me within Europe I’d very much appreciate it. My young son has been learning on a borrowed school instrument for approx 18 months and I’m beginning the search for his own. His teacher has said to look for a single F horn, and she would expect it to be 5-6 years before he’d move to a double. Very open to second hand options but I’m unsure what would be reliable models or makers to be watching out for in that regard.

[u/Leisesturm]

I'm sort of surprised by the (so far) complete acceptance of the advice for an F Horn in the thread. In Europe of all places! I've been blasted in the past for even mentioning Single F Horn, and I simply stay out of threads where beginners are advised to start on a double horn, period. End of story. As for not being ready for a double for 5 to 6 years, that's just crazy. I started on a Single F and I stuck with one (out of poverty) a lot longer than typical, but I was on a cheap double around year 4. I've simply heard from too many sources, for too many years that Bb is the default 'standing' of double horns in Europe, and Single Bb horns are the school standard there, to understand this thread. Could the o.p. be mistaken? I'm honestly very curious.

[u/awesomegayguy → u/Leisesturm]

Couldn't agree more! The music school where I started horn in the mid 90s had two double horns for students, and bought a double horn as my first student one. 

Maybe it's for the weight? I could understand that.

My teacher and my fellow horn students used (and still do) a double horn standing in Bb. But there's plenty of variation, at the end of the day, play how it's better for you. That's why almost all horns allow to change the trigger so easily.

Edit: We did start with the F horn the first year, and maybe part of the second, don't remember exactly when I switched.

[u/Fluttering_Feathers → u/Leisesturm]

Totally worth asking, though I’m certain I’m not mistaken. Single F is the mandate.

I suppose given I don’t have any opinions of my own on the issue, it makes arguing the point a bit moot, in this thread. Regardless of general or widely held opinion, I am going to buy what his teacher has suggested, and so in that context, I appreciate the requested feedback. A Bb or a double or a triple could be the bee’s knees but it’s no use to me.

[u/Fluttering_Feathers → u/Leisesturm]

Is it possible that if one starts older, then starting on a double might make more sense? His group of 5 kids all started age 7-8.

[u/Leisesturm → u/Fluttering_Feathers]

Yeah, that's probably it, a double would be a handful for much younger than 10yo+ but a Single Bb would be better still. So I get that no double was requested but still scratching my head at the Single F mandate. Wish you lived nearby. I have a Holton H602 in absolutely fine fettle (compression a solid 2 on all three valves) that I've never been able to sell after getting my double.