What are French horns made of?
answer French horns are primarily made of brass, which is an alloy consisting of approximately 70 percent copper and 30 percent zinc. Copper alloys are widely used in wind instruments because they are less corrosive and easier to machine than iron and other metals, and especially for their superior toual qualities.
French horn bell materials and colors
Material Color Alloys Tone features
Yellow brass
(brass)		 Yellow Cu:Zn
70:30		 Strong , rich
Gold brass Red Cu:Zn
85:15		 Warm, dark
Nickel silver
(German silver)		 Silver Cu:Ni:Zn
65:20:15		 Large , clear
* Cu: Copper Zn: Zinc Ni: Nickel
Different ratios of metal components in bells have different tone types.
question Why does the bell face backwards on a French horn?
answer The backward-facing orientation of the bell on a French horn gives the instrument a soft tone.

question How long is a French horn when it is stretched out?
answer F horn (YHR-314): 3.65 meters
B flat (YHR-322): 2.71 meters (short for a French horn)
French horns are about two to three times longer than a trumpet.

question Why do French horn players put their right hand inside the bell when they play?
answer In the old days, French horns did not have a rotary valve, so players would put their right hand in the bell to adjust the pitch. Nowadays, French horns have rotary valves, but the old tradition is still followed. The pitch of French horns is designed based on the assumption that players will put their right hand in the bell while playing. If you try to play a French horn without putting your right hand in the bell, the sound will end up being too sharp.

question What is a detachable bell?
answer A detachable bell is one that you can un-screw from the horn so that it can fit into a narrower case.

question Where did French horns get their name?
answer There are various theories about this. One of these theories has to do with a small, signaling horn known in England as a hunting horn (post horn). This horn was used to give signals while hunting. At some point, someone brought over a larger horn from France, which was used just to play music. This larger horn came to be known as the French horn in order to distinguish it from hunting horns.

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