French Horn B♭ Scale Finger Chart
Written B♭ major scale, 2 octaves · double horn F & B♭ sides (sounds concert E♭) · ● = valve pressed
How to play
- Tap a note to see its valve combination in the big diagram and hear the pitch.
- The three circles are valves 1–2–3 (played with the left hand). A filled circle means press that valve.
- The horn is played high in the harmonic series, so the naturals fall into an easy pattern: C, E, G and C are open; D and F use valve 1; B uses valve 2.
- Transposing: the horn is in F, so written notes sound a perfect 5th lower — the panel shows the concert pitch.
- Play note repeats; Play all climbs the range. Vol sets volume. Keyboard: Tab + Enter/Space.
This is a virtual instrument that shows you how to play a two-octave B flat major scale on the French horn. There are two primary options for interaction: either click the note on the screen to view valve combinations or use keys on your computer keyboard to ‘play’ the sound and move around.
It is basically just a grid of notes, where each cell contain a note from the chosen scale. Tap anywhere on the grid to highlight a note; little dots will appear in the cell to show the required fingering. The main screen on the right update instantly with the note you’ve chosen, including scale degree and the valve settings for that note. It’s all visual confirmation of what you’re playing compared to how it look written down.
How to Use the Virtual French Horn
Numbers 1, 2 & 3 refers to the horn valves that is represented by the big circles. An unfilled circle denotes an open valve while a filled one shows it has been pressed. The numbers beneath each circle also show the combination; for example, here both valves 1 and 2 is used together.
This section clearly references double horn technique. The toggle buttons at the top allows you to select the B flat side or the F side of the double horn. The grid will then display fingerings appropriate for that side. It is useful for practicing how the same written note requires different valve combinations on each side of the instrument.
By pressing on the ‘play’ button you can listen to how scale sounds, from bottom to top and back down again. The play button is there so that you can hear the scale without having to pick out each note yourself. When you want to switch it off just press the button again.
With the play note button you can hear just one note at a time, whichever one is highlighted. This is useful if you want to double-check which notes is being played from any given finger combination.
The master volume slider controls the volume of all sounds the widget makes. Set it to what feels comfortabley for you. If you want a reminder or a bit of help in just about anything then there’s a help panel for that too. Click the “how to play” button to expand explanations and tips, which include basic information such as valve patterns and transposition. When you’re ready to practice just click it shut again.
When you click the fullscreen button it will expand the widget to take up full screen. You can then hear what is being played as well as see the fingerings without any distraction from other parts of the page. It is particularly handy for those with small devices.
Use the tab key on your keyboard to travel from note to note. Use the space bar or enter key to play the note once selected and hear the sound. You can then run through the scale hands free which mirrors how we would play through a piece of music. Take care to practice slowly at the start. As you work your way through the scale, pay close attention to the change in the valve indicators and attempt to predict what finger will need to move next before the note sound. It develops that link between what is seen and felt.
Fingerings, use the toggle on the right-hand side to alternate fingers. Hold one note in your head then switch between B flat and F. They look like the same note when written down, but they requires different finger combinations. This is an essential skill for playing two horns together.
Play quietly as you learn. It’s good for your ears and those around you! Turn it up once you are familiar with the pattern. The widget is really here for reinforcement and study. Firstly, choose the tonic note as a reference point to guide you into the key. Then ascend one note at a time up to the major scale. Make sure to listen out for the open notes that flow smoothly into the ones you need to press with the valve. These can be used as a reminder of what you’re looking at on your sheet music. This double-checking both ways will help your horn practice.