 Specific Ranges (continued)
The High Range
The French horn's
high range stretches approximately from the F above Middle C to one octave
above that F. The top Eb, E natural and F are difficult to perform, so
use those notes with caution, and only when it is absolutely essential.
The horn's high range is its most dramatic and can deliver power and excitement
to any melody.
The high range of the horns
is where you create the most drama. This is because there is an almost
straining sound to the horns.
It is not unlike a scream - just more musical.
This is not to say that the sound is unpleasant. Quite the opposite. But
the sense of urgency heard in the highest register is quite emotional:
This sound will cut through the loudest of orchestral
passages. Unlike its other registers, the French
horn's high range parts do not need to be doubled with other instruments
because the sound is so striking, you want the purity of that timbre by
itself. And, as was just mentioned, it does not need any help being heard.
When writing high register horn parts, always be cautious
about creating extremely high and/or very fast passages. The virtuosity
of your horn player will determine how successful these musical passages
turn out. While French horn players
can rapidly move their tongue to execute fast lines, they aren't quite
as facile as trumpet players,
with their smaller sized instrument.
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