French Horn Transposition Chart
The horn in F sounds a perfect 5th lower than written · tap a note to see & hear both
How to play
- The French horn in F is a transposing instrument: a written C sounds the F a perfect 5th below. So the player reads one note but a different note comes out.
- Tap a note to load it. The blue panel is what’s written on the page; the gold panel is what actually sounds (concert pitch). Play sounds both so you hear the 5th.
- Switch direction: Written → Sounds transposes down a 5th; Sounds → Written goes the other way (up a 5th) — use it to work out what to write for a horn to play a given concert note.
- Most horns are double horns with an F side (sounds down a perfect 5th) and a B♭ side (sounds down a major 2nd). Switch between them above. Rule of thumb for the F horn: to write, move the concert pitch up a 5th. Vol sets volume.
If you have ever tried reading a piece for the French horn then you may find it useful to know that they do transpose. This means that the horn in F play a perfect fifth below what is written on staff. This can be confusing initially. With this widget, you are able to get an idea of what that interval sounds like and also work back to concert pitch.
To see how this works click on the note buttons using your mouse. Alternatively just change settings and changes will update in real-time. Twelve buttons across lower part of screen represent chromatic scale from C to B. Simply click on one to choose your note and you will be able to transpose that note. This is clearly displayed in big screen above the grid. You can read off what is being written (blue text) and what sounds (gold text). Then there is arrow between the two indicating which way this note is moving, like down a fifth for example.
How to Use the French Horn Transposer
By default, it will calculates the sound produced by writing a particular note. Toggle the Direction button at the top of page and it will work in reverse; given a concert pitch, what should I write? This makes it handy for checking score against your piano or arranging parts.
Double horns is common today; that is, horns with sides in both B-flat and F. Select ‘horn’ and toggle between the two transpositions. Switching from one of these to another will alter the pitch by a major second (B-flat) or a perfect fifth (F). This is what’s reflected in widget, which updates label and interval accordingy.
To listen to how this works hit Play button. First you will hear written note followed by sounding note. The visual change are supported by this sound cue. If you are working on sight-reading, then hearing the interval allow your brain to learn the offset.
Use right-hand slider to adjust master volume. If you’ve forgotten the rules, click the Help button to open up its short explanation. It’ll remind you of intervals and how they’re transposed. When you’d like some breathing room for chart, hide it once more.
Clicking Fullscreen will stretch out widget across your screen. That’s useful if you’re projecting it to a group or have a smaller monitor.
Muscle memory is a great thing when learning a new instrument, so try picking out various notes to create it. Hear what the interval sounds like throughout range. Try it both in the F and B-flat modes to compare change in key.
You can even use this as a verification device for any tricky parts you might have in your own pieces. Begin clicking on some of your music to hear how horn sounds.