The horn in F sounds a perfect fifth below written, so a plain chromatic tuner shows your written C as F. This French horn tuner opens with the F transposition on and adds the fifth back: the note on screen is the note in your part, and the needle and cents show how far to move the slides.
It runs in any browser and records nothing. If your orchestra tunes higher, set the Reference A to 442 Hz.
How to use it
- Warm up with long tones for a couple of minutes, then tap Turn on microphone.
- Play your tuning note, usually written C (concert F) or written F (concert B♭), with your right hand in its normal playing position.
- On a double horn, tune one side with the main slide, then press the thumb valve and match the other side with its own slide.
- Check notes that use each valve and adjust the valve slides where they disagree.
Your right hand is part of the tuning
On the horn, the hand in the bell changes the pitch: closing it more lowers the pitch and darkens the sound, opening it raises the pitch. Always tune with your hand exactly where you play. The horn also rises in pitch as the air inside warms, so check again after the first piece. Mellophones are pitched in F as well and use the same setting; for an E♭ alto horn, choose E♭ in the Transposition menu.
Tips
- Mark each slide with a pencil once it is in tune.
- Empty the water from the slides before tuning; it changes the pitch and the response.
- Use the same tuning note every day so you notice when something changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my tuner say F when I play C on horn?
Horn in F sounds a fifth lower than written and normal tuners show concert pitch. This page adds the fifth back, so written C reads as C.
Do I tune the F side or the B♭ side first?
Either works if you are consistent. Many teachers tune one side with the main slide, then the other with its own slide on the same written note.
Which note should I tune my horn on?
Usually written C (concert F) or written F (concert B♭), the notes most bands and orchestras give.
Why does my pitch drop when I close my hand?
Covering more of the bell lowers the pitch. Find a consistent hand position first, then tune the slides around it.