Get your French horn and join me in

LEVEL IT UP - Multi-level development program for (French) horn players from the very first note. Each video gives you the opportunity to play the notes, develop a secure sound and accuracy whilst playing along with an ensemble of horns. 

Videos are at my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj-3CaGOcPF2VH2plLg2WOVnFIVhYNDwv

Part One is Levels 1 to 9 with the note C as the first note (F horn harmonic number 4, B♭ horn harmonic number 3). If you find E an easier note to play than C then start your journey at Level 10!

Valves are added using the same harmonics. Valve 2 in Level 2 as it is the shortest added length. Valve 1 in Level 3, then each in turn for Level 4. Valves 1+2 in Level 5. In Level 6 we play no valves, then valve 2, then valves 1+2. In level 7 we play no valves, then valve 1, then valves 1+2. In Level 8 we do the partial chromatic descending sequence of no valves, valve 2, valve 1, then valves 1+2. In Level 9 we play C then A♭, no valves then valves 2+3.

Part Two is Levels 10 to 17 with the note E as the first note. I have a preference for learning on the F horn, so work with the 5th harmonic (E) after Part One. You can play all these on the B♭ horn. Fingerings are given. 

Part Three is Levels 18 to 27 using air pressure to change pitch. Levels 18 is F horn notes A, C♯ (harmonics 4, 5). Level 19 is B♭ horn notes A, D (harmonics 3, 4). Level 20 is F horn notes B♭, D (harmonics 4, 5). Level 21 is B♭ horn notes B ♭, E♭(harmonics 3, 4). Level 22 is F horn notes B, D♯ (harmonics 4, 5). Level 23 is B♭ horn notes B, E (harmonics 3, 4). Level 24 is F horn notes C, E (harmonics 4, 5). Level 25 is B♭ horn notes C, F (harmonics 3, 4).  Level 26 is F horn notes A♭,  C, E♭ (harmonics 4, 5, 6).  Level 27 is B♭ horn, notes A♭, D♭, F (harmonics 3, 4, 5).

Part Four is Levels 28-32. Using air pressure to change pitch and changing valves at the same time. I also invite you to make your own melodies with three notes, such as the notes C, D, E♭ in Level 30. There are six ways to order 3 notes: 

1) C, D, E♭     2) C, E♭, D     3) D, E♭, C      4) D, C, E♭     5) E♭, C, D      6) E♭, D, C

You won't need the pdfs to start your journey and can jump right into the videos. At some stage you will probably need to read music notation so the Pdf will show you what you are playing!

(August 2022 - I'll update the pdfs to be in sync with the updated videos. As of 2 September videos of Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  and 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 have been updated and improved as I've worked with students playing along with the videos.)

LEVEL 33 is a condensed version of all Levels 1 -32. Use it as a daily warmup and quick preparation for the next levels.

Part Five is Levels 34-43. Use air pressure to change pitch and add harmonic 6 for F horn and harmonic 5 for B♭ horn.

Part Six is Levels 44 and on.  Four notes going up. Four notes going down. The word from Ancient Greece for scale halves is teatrachord, which means four notes. All our main Western scales have two tetrachords and they are a great way to start working with scales as they are easier to manage in the beginning stages with a small pitch range. Changing air pressure and changing valves at the same time. In Part Six we also do a couple of pitch changes on harmonics as done in previous levels. The new addition is changing volume. This also involves an air pressure change, but for this we allow the space between the lips (the aperture)  to widen for more volume and narrow for less volume. For pitch changes we try to keep the aperture constant.

Part Seven is from Level 52. Part Seven is like a micro version of all previous Parts yet extended to harmonics 7.

Part Eight starts at Level 56. Each level here has six parts. 1) Breath and Buzz. 2) C with four other tube lengths. 3) Harmonics. 4) Long notes. 5) Scales. 6) Tonguing.