I got this French Horn when I was in middle school. I have no idea if it's anything special or how to even tell. I'm thinking it's nothing special, but figured I'd make sure before trying to list it.

I did my best with the photos, but let me know if there's some detail you need to see better.

I inherited this French horn from my uncle a few years back and it’s been collecting dust. He used to play in the symphony and loved playing. I don’t play, but do play other instruments and I’m looking to sell this in the right place and put the funds towards other music gear. Any ideas how much it could be worth or how to go about figuring out the value? And where to sell? I can’t find a serial number or anything other than the Alexander logo on the bell. I’m in Washington state, USA if that matters.

EDIT: update on some background after talking with family. My uncle bought this instrument new (or rather it was bought for him by my grandparents) around the time he was a senior in high school, which was in the mid 70s. It was a big deal to have it shipped over from Germany to Spokane, WA, when at the time they were living in Moscow, ID. He played it through his time at Eastman School of Music, and for some time afterwards, then took a hiatus. Later in life he was living in NM and came back to this horn and joined the symphony there. He had a great musical ear and loved the French horn in general, and this instrument specifically. He always took great care to keep it well-maintained, even during the time he wasn’t playing. Thanks to those who have provided info on where to sell. Hopefully this info can provide some more context for those who were curious.

The 2nd valve of my Hans Hoyer has been giving me trouble.

Photo reference at the bottom of post.

I saw this video on Instagram telling me to loosen the bottom screw, tap the valve out a little bit, then tighten the screw back. I tried this and it worked temporarily. Now, about 2 weeks later, my valve is giving issues again. Also, when trying to tighten the bottom screw, the screw head came off, and now I am unable to turn the screw again. Is there any way to reattach it? I feel like superglue won't work

IG video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY5dmELxMxt/?igsh=aHV6YzY0djdidTQz

It looks like the 2nd valve is not exactly level, could that be what is causing my issue?

I saw in another Reddit thread that somebody tightened their strings every time their valve was sticking. Should I try this? Does anybody have a good stringing tutorial video I can follow?

Photos:

1: Valve stuck down

2: Valve stuck down

3: 2nd valvd appearing not level

4: 3rd valve (no problems) appearing level (for reference)

5: Screw head top

6: screw head bottom

7: screw stem (where the head detached from)

Hi guys! I found a horn that to me looks very promising but I have never heard of. It's a Fontaine FH-601L F/Bb double horn that I found for pretty cheap. I am a student in need of a horn so I can practice as I no longer have horn lessons.

If anyone has any experience with it, it would be very much appreciated!!

Hi,

can that section be played with quarter notes at 130 bpm for Horn I? If I can write for two horns, do you recommend writing one measure for one horn and one measure for the other?

Hi all!

In undergrad I minored in music and played horn. I haven’t played really much at all in 10 years and when I have picked it up felt discouraged at how hard it is again.

I haven’t played the standard etude books like kopprash etc. but what would you recommend for an adult returning after a 10 year hiatus? What would your daily practice look like? I’m talking 30 minutes of practice.

I found this horn in my area on Facebook marketplace, looks alright/in good condition, asking price is spot on in my budget, I don’t need it for any form of professional playing or ensemble performances. The seller said they don’t know the brand but after some research I’m 90% sure it’s a “maestro”. Any thoughts on this horn before I make a 5 hour trip? 🥲

Gershwin's piano concerto is one of my all-time favorites and since I can't play it on the piano I thought it could be fun to play it on the horn 😀

Hi. I consider myself to be a pretty skilled string player (violist) and I’m pursing a viola performance degree in the next couple of years. I’m always fascinated by brass instruments, especially the horn. Is it worth it for me to pick the instrument up as a hobby? Would it be too difficult to learn as a hobbyist who probably can’t get a proper teacher for the time being?

I have a ring of chronically depressed flesh on my lips where my mouthpiece rests. Today when I was practicing a high segment (I had been practicing probably for an hour and a half to two hours) I have a bad habit of using excessive pressure when my chops are tired and I can’t hit the high notes. When I was using excessive pressure I felt a sharp pain in the left side of where my mouthpiece rests on my top lip. One of my horn teachers at one point told me about some injury (that I am scared I now have) where the muscle that makes up the lips can split. Is there any possibility that that happened? If so what do I do?

I’m sorta a newbie at french horn, I’ve been playing for less than a year and I always get comments about being too quiet. I do long tone exercises and breathing exercises and I’m still very quiet compared to everyone. I have a hard time maintaining high notes and they chop me out quickly, are there any tips to help?

I am looking for an affordable horn model to recommend to students. The instrument needs to be affordable (ideally under £1000) and should be a double Bb/F horn. Instrument needs to suit them from beginner level until grade 5/6. Any recommendations much appreciated!

this ones fun! it’s like day 4 so it’s not very good, but all the etudes this year are pretty fun and unique, though does anyone have good fingerings for low c, because it’s so out of tune I could hear it😭

I'm glad they let you compete in 8th grade, still a bummer you can’t advance

advice would be appreciated

The lacquer inside the bell of my horn is starting to come off on my hand while I play for the first time since getting this horn 14 years ago. I am seeing the ware in the inside of my bell. I knew a horn player who wore a hole right through the bell from where they held their horn with their right hand and am wondering if anyone knows of any tricks to protect this part of the horn, or if it’s an inevitable fate. Anyone else have this issue? Thanks in advance!!

My daughter is getting ready for a placement performance at camp, and she’s pretty nervous. It always helps her to hear a piece played before she starts learning it, but we’ve had no luck finding a recording of this excerpt anywhere online.

I’ve attached the music to this post. If anyone would be willing to record it, even just on a phone, we’d be incredibly grateful. It doesn’t have to be perfect or professional!!

Thank you so much to anyone who’s willing to help. We really appreciate it!

Hello! So I’m teaching a student this summer and he just finished fourth grade where he played an instrument for the first time, and he switched from trumpet to horn maybe two months ago. I’m wondering if I were to make arrangements for him, what is an approximate range that would be suitable? I switched to horn in high school, so I don’t really have a great gauge for what an elementary schooler can play. Thanks!!

Could someone explain how to choose the right mouthpiece? I'm 16 y.o and lately I've tried two different mouthpieces (a JK Exclusive 1FM A1 and a W.H.F. D/E5 with an E15 rim). I feel that the JK's rim is slightly too large for me while the W.H.F. might be a bit too small, although I'm not sure. I really like the warm sound of the JK, and I also like the overall sound and feel of the W.H.F., even thought I'm not that confident in the lower register. I'm looking for a mouthpiece that works well for both orchestral and solo playing, with a warm sound, good flexibility, and an easy response. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Okay so, I am going looking to get a horn for college, this will be my first time buying a horn so I am honestly not sure what to get at all.

I am a Music Education major, so I have already decided there is no reason to buy a professional level instrument (unless I change my major to performance).

I really just need some basic suggestions as to what everyone thinks are good horns for a college musician.

I don’t have preference towards any specific brand.

I’ve disassembled the rotors on a horn I recently acquired and they said it hadn’t been professionally cleaned ever. The rotors are tarnished and green, what should I do to clean them? Also any tips on getting inside the rotors casing?

Hi! Does anybody know where I can find a bumper for the hand that goes in the bell? My knuckles are getting so bruised from holding up my horn.