First 5 Notes

French Horn Fingering Chart

Every note from low C to high C (written C3 to C6). 37 notes, each with its staff notation and its fingering. Free to view, no sign-in.

New players: start with the five notes marked First 5.

Notes are shown as written for French horn. F instrument: sounds a perfect 5th lower than written.

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French Horn notes, low to high

    1. C3

      French Horn fingering for C3: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      Sounds concert F2.

      Step by step
      • No valve levers pressed.
      Check it

    2. C♯3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 3 (C♯3), F side: Levers 1 + 2 + 3

      Levers 1 + 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 3 (C♯3), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      Sounds concert G♭2.

      C-sharp 3. Also written D♭3 (D-flat 3).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press all three valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      Check it

    3. D3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for D3, F side: Levers 1 + 3

      Levers 1 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for D3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert G2.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    4. E♭3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 3 (E♭3), F side: Levers 2 + 3

      Levers 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 3 (E♭3), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert A♭2.

      E-flat 3. Also written D♯3 (D-sharp 3).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    5. E3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E3, F side: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for E3, F side, alternate: Lever 3

      Lever 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert A2.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the third valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    1. F3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F3, F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert B♭2.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    2. F♯3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 3 (F♯3), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 3 (F♯3), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2 + 3

      T + levers 1 + 2 + 3

      Sounds concert B2.

      F-sharp 3. Also written G♭3 (G-flat 3).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and all three valve levers.
      Check it

    3. G3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for G3, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for G3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 3

      T + levers 1 + 3

      Sounds concert C3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and third valve levers.
      Check it

    4. A♭3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 3 (A♭3), F side: Levers 2 + 3

      Levers 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 3 (A♭3), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      Sounds concert D♭3.

      A-flat 3. Also written G♯3 (G-sharp 3).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      Check it

    5. A3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A3, F side: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert D3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    1. B♭3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 3 (B♭3), F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 3 (B♭3), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert E♭3.

      B-flat 3. Also written A♯3 (A-sharp 3).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    2. B3

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B3, F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B3, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert E3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    3. C4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C4, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert F3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    4. C♯4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 4 (C♯4), F side: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 4 (C♯4), F side, alternate: Levers 1 + 2 + 3

      Levers 1 + 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 4 (C♯4), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      Sounds concert G♭3.

      C-sharp 4. Also written D♭4 (D-flat 4).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press all three valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      Check it

    5. D4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for D4, F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for D4, F side, alternate: Levers 1 + 3

      Levers 1 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for D4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert G3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    1. E♭4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 4 (E♭4), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 4 (E♭4), F side, alternate: Levers 2 + 3

      Levers 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 4 (E♭4), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert A♭3.

      E-flat 4. Also written D♯4 (D-sharp 4).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the second and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    2. E4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E4, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for E4, F side, alternate: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert A3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    3. F4

      First 5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F4, F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert B♭3.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Left hand: press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    4. F♯4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 4 (F♯4), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 4 (F♯4), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert B3.

      F-sharp 4. Also written G♭4 (G-flat 4).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    5. G4

      First 5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for G4, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for G4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert C4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    1. A♭4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 4 (A♭4), F side: Levers 2 + 3

      Levers 2 + 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 4 (A♭4), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      Sounds concert D♭4.

      A-flat 4. Also written G♯4 (G-sharp 4).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      Check it

    2. A4

      First 5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A4, F side: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for A4, F side, alternate: Lever 3

      Lever 3

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert D4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Left hand: press the first and second valve levers.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the third valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    3. B♭4

      First 5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 4 (B♭4), F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 4 (B♭4), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert E♭4.

      B-flat 4. Also written A♯4 (A-sharp 4).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Left hand: press the first valve lever - higher partial than written F.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    4. B4

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B4, F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B4, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert E4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    5. C5

      First 5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C5, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert F4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed - firmer air than written G.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    1. C♯5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 5 (C♯5), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 5 (C♯5), F side, alternate: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C-sharp 5 (C♯5), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      Sounds concert G♭4.

      C-sharp 5. Also written D♭5 (D-flat 5).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      Check it

    2. D5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for D5, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for D5, F side, alternate: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for D5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for D5, B♭ side, alternate: T + lever 3

      T + lever 3

      Sounds concert G4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side, alternate
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the third valve lever.
      Check it

    3. E♭5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 5 (E♭5), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E-flat 5 (E♭5), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert A♭4.

      E-flat 5. Also written D♯5 (D-sharp 5).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    4. E5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for E5, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for E5, F side, alternate: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for E5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert A4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    5. F5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F5, F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert B♭4.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    1. F♯5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 5 (F♯5), F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for F-sharp 5 (F♯5), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert B4.

      F-sharp 5. Also written G♭5 (G-flat 5).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    2. G5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for G5, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for G5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert C5.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

    3. A♭5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 5 (A♭5), F side: Levers 2 + 3

      Levers 2 + 3

      F side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 5 (A♭5), F side, alternate: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 5 (A♭5), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 2 + 3

      T + levers 2 + 3

      B♭ side, alternate

      French Horn fingering for A-flat 5 (A♭5), B♭ side, alternate: T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert D♭5.

      A-flat 5. Also written G♯5 (G-sharp 5).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second and third valve levers.
      • F side, alternate
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second and third valve levers.
      • B♭ side, alternate
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    4. A5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for A5, F side: Levers 1 + 2

      Levers 1 + 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for A5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + levers 1 + 2

      T + levers 1 + 2

      Sounds concert D5.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first and second valve levers.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first and second valve levers.
      Check it

    5. B♭5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 5 (B♭5), F side: Lever 1

      Lever 1

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B-flat 5 (B♭5), B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 1

      T + lever 1

      Sounds concert E♭5.

      B-flat 5. Also written A♯5 (A-sharp 5).

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the first valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the first valve lever.
      Check it

    1. B5

      F side

      French Horn fingering for B5, F side: Lever 2

      Lever 2

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for B5, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T + lever 2

      T + lever 2

      Sounds concert E5.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • Press the second valve lever.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger (T) and the second valve lever.
      Check it

    2. C6

      F side

      French Horn fingering for C6, F side: Open (no valves)

      Open (no valves)

      B♭ side (thumb trigger)

      French Horn fingering for C6, B♭ side (thumb trigger): T only

      T only

      Sounds concert F5.

      Step by step
      • F side
      • No valve levers pressed.
      • B♭ side (thumb trigger)
      • Press the thumb trigger only. All three valve levers stay up.
      Check it

Practice these notes

The French horn learning path takes these notes a few at a time: name the note, find the fingering, then play it into the microphone. The first five notes are free to practice, with no account. The microphone only listens while you play, and nothing is recorded.

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