Quiz about French Horn General Knowledge

French Horn General Knowledge Trivia Quiz

A short quiz on my favourite instrument, the French Horn.

A multiple-choice quiz by dontlookdown. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
dontlookdown

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
269,377

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
533

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. Which pitches does a double French Horn play in? Hint

F and Bb

Bb and C

F and C

F and Eb

NEXT>

2. Which is the shortest tuning slide on a Single French Horn? Hint

Second Valve

Main Slide

Third Valve

First Valve

NEXT>

3. Which group doesn't a French Horn play in? Hint

Wind Band

Woodwind Quintet

Brass Band

Orchestra

NEXT>

4. How many valve combinations are there on a French Horn? Not including both Bb and F sides. Hint

seven

nine

six

eight

NEXT>

5. Which two clefs are vital for a French Horn player to be able to read? Hint

Treble and Tenor

Alto and Treble

Bass and Tenor

Treble and Bass

NEXT>

6. What does handstopping mean? Hint

Playing without the hand in the bell

Playing without using the valves

Muting

Changing the sound by stopping air coming out of the bell

NEXT>

7. Which brass instrument has a smaller mouthpiece than the French Horn? Hint

None of these

Tenor Horn

Trombone

Trumpet

NEXT>

8. How many tuning slides does a Double french horn have? Hint

Three

Eight

Five

Two

NEXT>

9. Which of these is not a well-known professional french horn player? Hint

Alan Civil

Paul Beniston

Dennis Brain

Barry Tuckwell

NEXT>

10. How many French horn players are generally seen in a Romantic orchestra? Hint

Four

Three

Five

Two

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which pitches does a double French Horn play in?

Answer: F and Bb

Most French Horns have two sides to them. It is possible to change between these sides altering the length of the tubing. This means it is easier to play at different pitches on one side to the other.

2. Which is the shortest tuning slide on a Single French Horn?

Answer: Second Valve

The second valve slide is much smaller than any of the others. The second valve is generally sharper than the others so does not need to be adjusted as much.

3. Which group doesn't a French Horn play in?

Answer: Brass Band

A brass band contains instruments that have very similar sounds. As a French Horn has a different sound to most Brass band instruments and a tenor horn can cover the part, it is not needed. Woodwind Quintets include them as they have a very mellow sound giving it more depth.

4. How many valve combinations are there on a French Horn? Not including both Bb and F sides.

Answer: eight

Technically there are eight but the third valve is almost never used on its own. Most players will therefore only ever use up to seven combinations but there are eight available.

5. Which two clefs are vital for a French Horn player to be able to read?

Answer: Treble and Bass

Tenor and Alto are not very commonly used. They are mainly used for string instruments but occasionally trombones use tenor.

6. What does handstopping mean?

Answer: Changing the sound by stopping air coming out of the bell

Handstopping is very common as it produces a tone very unlike any other instrument can produce. It is quite hard to control and sharpens the pitch slightly which means you have to play it down a semitone to compensate.

7. Which brass instrument has a smaller mouthpiece than the French Horn?

Answer: None of these

The French Horn has the smallest mouthpiece followed by the trumpet. The mouthpiece is conically shaped which gives the horn its characteristically mellow sound.

8. How many tuning slides does a Double french horn have?

Answer: Eight

This is a suprising amount considering every other brass instrument has much less. There are two for each valve - one on each side of the horn. There is also one for the general F side and the Bb side

9. Which of these is not a well-known professional french horn player?

Answer: Paul Beniston

Paul Beniston is the current principal trumpet of the London Philarmonic Orchestra. Dennis Brain was principal horn of the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra when he died in a car crash to be replaced by Alan Civil. Barry Tuckwell was principal horn of the London Symphony Orchestra.

10. How many French horn players are generally seen in a Romantic orchestra?

Answer: Four

Before the Romantic period two horns were commonly seen in an orchestra. Nowadays there are normally four parts although some pieces do specifically ask for a different number.

Source: Author dontlookdown

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ertrum before going online.
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