Neustart Kultur

Welcome to Cornicon, the French horn sound archive that came into being during the pandemic with funding from “Neustart Kultur”. Here you can discover various sounds that are produced on and with the French horn and have been discovered and recorded during my sound research. All sounds are available to be downloaded and processed.

Name Sound Categorysort descending Attributes Method Notes
Air 01, regularly blown Air metallic, scary, cool Air is blown into the horn through the mouthpiece while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. When this sound is being played together with other instruments it is relatively quiet. Can’t be played for a very long time.
Air 02, regularly blown + flutter tongue Air ominous, helicopter, extraterrestrial Air is blown into the horn through the mouthpiece with flutter tongue technique while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale.
Air 03, blown from a distance of approximately 3cm to mouthpiece Air vast, plane, metallic Air is blown into the horn through the mouthpiece from a distance of approx. 3cm while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale.
Air 04, blown from a distance of approximately 3cm to mouthpiece + flutter tongue Air animalistic, mechanical, metallic, rich in overtones Air is blown into the horn through the mouthpiece from a distance of approx. 3cm with flutter tongue technique while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale.
Air 05, blown into removed mouthpiece with approximately 1cm distance to leadpipe Air vast, plane, metallic, ocean-sound, scary Air is blown into the horn through the removed mouthpiece with approx. 1cm distance to the leadpipe while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated.
Air 06, blown into removed mouthpiece with approximately 1cm distance to leadpipe + flutter tongue Air helicopter, metallic, subtle, scary Air is blown into the horn through the removed mouthpiece with approx. 1cm distance to the leadpipe and with flutter tongue technique while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated.
Air 07, mouthpiece put onto leadpipe in reverse Air metallic, vast, mechanical Air is blown through the reversed mouthpiece (cup on leadpipe) while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated. Time is needed to turn around the mouthpiece.
Air 08, mouthpiece put onto leadpipe in reverse + flutter tongue Air ominous, drilling machine, metallic, animalistic Air is blown through the reversed mouthpiece (cup on leadpipe) with flutter tongue technique while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated. Time is needed to turn around the mouthpiece.
Air 09, mouthpiece reversed, approximately 3cm distance to leadpipe Air metallic, vast, mechanical, white noise Air is blown through the reversed mouthpiece with approx. 3cm distance to the leadpipe while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated. Time is needed to turn around the mouthpiece.
Air 10, mouthpiece reversed, approximately 3cm distance to leadpipe + flutter tongue Air metallic, subtle, sizzling Air is blown through the reversed mouthpiece with approx. 3cm distance to the leadpipe and flutter tongue technique while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. As the mouthpiece needs to be held separately for this effect, it is best to play it while seated. Time is needed to turn around the mouthpiece.
Air 11, blown directly into leadpipe, no mouthpiece Air breathing, metallic, smooth, vast Air is blown directly into the leadpipe (without mouthpiece) while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. Time is needed to remove the mouthpiece.
Air 12, blown directly into leadpipe, no mouthpiece + flutter tongue Air metallic, mechanical, drilling machine, animalistic Air is blown directly into the leadpipe (without mouthpiece) with flutter tongue while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. Time is needed to remove the mouthpiece.
Air 13, slap tongue Air hard, percussive Air is blown through mouthpiece into the horn and stopped by the tongue with a ft-sound while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. Quite a loud air sound, but overall still a quiet effect.
Air 14, blown directly into leadpipe + staccato tongue Air soft, percussive, short Air is blown directly into the leadpipe (enclosed with lips, mouthpiece removed), and interrupted through a staccato tongue while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. Time is needed to remove the mouthpiece.
Air 15, panted into horn Air nervous, metallic, irregular Air is blown into the horn at different, partially irregular speeds breathing in and out while changing the valves in a chromatic downward scale. Effect can’t be played for a long time as it interrupts regular breathing.
Air 16, fake whistling Air nervous, irregular, scary Air is being “whistled” into the horn with variety of tongue moves and a lot of air while lips are softly touching the mouthpiece.
Air 17, smacking lips into horn Air smacking, irregular Smacking the lips into the mouthpiece. Rather quiet effect
Voice 09, horn + singing Voice shamanic, floating, vast Playing and singing into the horn at the same time. Not possible in all ranges and at all intervals.
Voice 10, horn + singing (different miking) Voice shamanic, floating, vast Playing and singing into the horn at the same time with a different microphone positioning. For this recording the face of the player is facing the microphone, instead of the bell (as was the case for the other recordings).
Voice 12, "mandolin" Voice scary, imitating Singing into horn with a high pitched voice and the lips at the mouthpiece while pressing alternating valves fast.
Voice 11, horn + singing + flutter tongue Voice broken, bad signal Playing and singing into the horn at the same time with flutter tongue technique. Unstable, not possible in all ranges.
Voice 01, speaking into horn Voice mumbling, muffled Speaking into the horn with the lips at the mouthpiece.
Voice 02, speaking into horn + pressing valves Voice mumbling, muffled, bad signal Speaking into the horn with the lips at the mouthpiece while pressing valves at the same time.
Voice 03, singing into horn Voice muffled Singing into the horn with the lips at the mouthpiece.
Voice 04, singing into horn + pressing valves Voice muffled, bad signal Singing into the horn with the lips at the mouthpiece while pressing valves at the same time.
Voice 05, singing into bell Voice muffled, subterranean Singing into the horn with the forehead leaned against the bell.
Voice 06, speaking into bell Voice muffled, distant Speaking into the horn with the forehead leaned against the bell.
Voice 07, speaking into bell + pressing valves Voice muffled, distant, clacking Speaking into the horn with the forehead leaned against the bell while pressing valves at the same time.
Voice 08, singing into bell + pressing valves Voice muffled, rainy Singing into the horn with the forehead leaned against the bell while pressing valves at the same time.
Components 08, unscrewed bell, tapped Components vibrating, percussive, metallic The French horn’s bell is screwed off the instrument, first held at the screw thread, then at the bell’s edge and tapped with fingertip, -nail and knuckle. Relatively quiet effect
Components 09, rotary valve covers Components percussive, muffled, subtle The rotary valve covers are being screwed off the horn and dropped onto the palm with the opening down, then tapped with fingernails, then turned around (with the opening facing upwards) and tapped, finally screwed on and off the French horn. Very quiet effect
Components 10, pressed valve levers Components mechanical, percussive, restless Valve levers are being pressed one after the other, chromatically downwards and mixed up. Quiet effect
Components 11, slide mounts Components muffled, percussive Slide mounts are first tapped with knuckles and fingernails with the slides taken out, then with the slides stuck in. Quiet effect
Components 12, leadpipe Components percussive, vibrating, metallic The leadpipe is being tapped with the thumb and fingernails. Quiet effect
Components 01, horn without main tuning slide Components extraterrestrial, scary, animalistic, broken Horn played without main tuning slide As the main tuning slide is also the main air supply for the instrument, all other slides/valves can’t be used either.
Components 02, horn without F horn tuning slide Components animalistic, scary, broken Horn played without F horn tuning slide As the F horn tuning slide is the main air supply for the F horn, all notes on the B horn can be played “normally”, but none of the F horn notes.
Components 02a, horn without 1st F horn valve slide Components fanfare-like, broken, animalistic Horn played without 1st F horn valve slide Except for the 1st F horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 02b, horn without 2nd F horn valve slide Components fanfare-like, broken, animalistic Horn played without 2nd F horn valve slide Except for the 2nd F horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 02c, horn without 3rd F horn valve slide Components fanfare-like, broken, animalistic Horn played without 3rd F horn valve slide Except for the 3rd F horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 03, horn without B horn tuning slide Components animalistic, scary, broken Horn played without B horn tuning slide As the B horn tuning slide is the main air supply for the B horn, all notes on the F horn can be played “normally”, but none of the B horn notes.
Components 03a, horn without 1st B horn valve slide Components animalistic, fanfare-like, broken, enchanted Horn played without 1st B horn valve slide Except for the 1st B horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 03b, horn without 2nd B horn valve slide Components fanfare-like, broken, animalistic Horn played without 2nd B horn valve slide Except for the 2nd B horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 03c, horn without 3rd B horn valve slide Components fanfare-like, broken, animalistic Horn played without 3rd B horn valve slide Except for the 3rd B horn valve slide, all other valves work regularly.
Components 04, main tuning slide, tapped Components subtle, rich in overtones Main tuning slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 05, F horn tuning slide, tapped Components subtle, rich in overtones, xylophone-like, percussive F horn tuning slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 05a, 1st F horn valve slide, tapped Components clanking, rich in overtones, muffled 1st F horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 05b, 2nd F horn valve slide, tapped Components soft, clanking, rich in overtones, vibrating 2nd F horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 05c, 3rd F horn valve slide, tapped Components muffled, rattling, percussive 3rd F horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 06, B horn tuning slide, tapped Components clanking, subtle, rich in overtones 1st B horn-valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 06a, 1st B horn valve slide, tapped Components muffled, rich in overtones 1st B horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 06b, 2nd B horn valve slide, tapped Components subtle, rich in overtones, clanking 2nd B horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 06c, 3rd B horn valve slide, tapped Components clanking, subtle, rich in overtones, muffled 3rd B horn valve slide is removed from the French horn, held between two fingers and tapped with fingertip and -nail. Very quiet effect
Components 07, bell, tapped Components rattling, muffled, metallic The French horn’s bell is being tapped with fingertip, -nail and knuckle. Relatively quiet effect
Preparations 11, bell with aluminium foil and snare drum head Preparations muffled, rattling Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with aluminium foil and snare drum head tightened over the entire bell (fixed with hand).
Preparations 12, bell with aluminium foil and parchment paper Preparations rattling, crackling, distant Horn is played with aluminium foil and parchment paper tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs).
Preparations 13, horn stopped with flower vase Preparations rattling, mumbling Horn is stopped with a small earthenware flower vase. Can cause damage to the lacquer inside the bell.
Preparations 14, horn stopped with filled flower vase Preparations muffled, distant Horn is stopped with a small, water filled earthenware flower vase. Can cause damage to the lacquer inside the bell.
Preparations 15, horn stopped with metallic drinking bottle Preparations metallic, very distant, mumbling Horn bell is stopped with a metallic drinking bottle (diameter about 7cm). Can cause damage to the lacquer inside the bell.
Preparations 16, horn stopped with filled metallic drinking bottle Preparations metallic, very distant, extraterrestrial Horn bell is stopped with a metallic drinking bottle (diameter about 7cm) filled with water. Relatively quiet effect
Preparations 17, bell with rubber band Preparations metallic, rattling, extraterrestrial, scary A thin rubber band is put over the bell and slowly pulled back and forth. Difficult to control.
Preparations 18, horn under water Preparations very distant, bad signal, bubbling, wet Horn is played while dipped in about 10 cm deep water. Difficult to control because of the water movement.
Preparations 19, slide mounts with cling film/plastic wrap Preparations funny, scary, distant, extraterrestrial The first and third valve slide of the F horn are removed and replaced by cling film/plastic wrap (tightened over the slide mounts). After playing for a while the cling film loosens a bit, so the effect is weakens.
Preparations 01, bell with plastic bag Preparations muffled, broken Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with a plastic bag tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs). In higher ranges the plastic bag causes resistance.
Preparations 02, bell with cling film/plastic wrap Preparations muffled, limiting Horn is being played chromatically down- and upwards with cling film/plastic wrapt tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs). In the higher ranges the clingfilm/plastic wrap causes resistance.
Preparations 03, bell with aluminium foil Preparations muffled, buzzing, bad signal Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with aluminium foil tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs).
Preparations 04, bell with parchment paper Preparations muffled Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with parchment paper tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs).
Preparations 05, bell with snare drum head Preparations muffled, hoarse Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with snare drum head tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs).
Preparations 06, bell with tom head Preparations muffled, distant Horn is played with tom head tightened over the entire bell (fixed with clothes pegs).
Preparations 07, F horn valve slides with balloons Preparations distant, scary, funny, mechanical The first and third valve slide of the F horn are removed and replaced by balloons (pulled over the slide mounts). The resistance of the balloons inhibits the sound formation at first.
Preparations 08, horn muted with plastic bowl Preparations muted, scary, extraterrestrial, metallic Horn bell is muted with a plastic bowl (about 17cm diameter).
Preparations 09, horn prepared with jewelry Preparations quiet, rattling, sizzling Small metallic necklaces and bracelets are attached to the horn (also onto slide mounts/ bell/ etc.). Only audible with certain notes, very quiet effect.
Preparations 10, resonating ride cymbal Preparations metallic, floating, extraterrestrial Horn is played with the bell right next to the ride cymbal of a drum set. Depending on the cymbal’s size, a long reverberation is possible.
Playing techniques 01, regularly played Playing techniques soft, flexible Regularly played French horn, chromatically down- and upwards.
Playing techniques 02, regularly played + flutter tongue Playing techniques helicopter, dirty Horn played with flutter tongue, chromatically down- and upwards.
Playing techniques 03, horn kisses Playing techniques kissing, metallic, extraterrestrial With the lips on the mouthpiece kisses are imitated in different lengths.
Playing techniques 04, horn + mute Playing techniques wooden, muffled Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with a wooden mute inserted to the bell. Time is needed to insert/ take out the mute.
Playing techniques 05, horn + mute + flutter tongue Playing techniques wooden, muffled, helicopter, dirty Horn is played chromatically down- and upwards with flutter tongue technique and a wooden mute inserted into the bell. Time is needed to insert/ take out the mute.
Playing techniques 06, valves half pressed Playing techniques scary, extraterrestrial Horn is played with valves pressed halfway down. Hard to control.
Playing techniques 11, open-stopped bendings Playing techniques flexible, metallic, soft Horn is being played while the hand slowly blocks and closes the bell.
Playing techniques 07, lip bending Playing techniques scary, floating Notes are bent to the edge of the next note just with the lip embouchure. Unstable.
Playing techniques 08, “edge notes” Playing techniques scary, broken, bad signal Notes are always played chromatically downwards at the edge to the next note (not well centered). Hard to control.
Playing techniques 09, horn stopped Playing techniques metallic, aggressive, dirty Horn is played while the hand is entirely blocking the bell (=stopped).
Playing techniques 10, horn stopped + flutter tongue Playing techniques metallic, aggressive, dirty Horn is played with flutter tongue technique while the hand is entirely blocking the bell (=stopped).
Playing techniques 12, slow valves Playing techniques soft, transitioning The valves are being pressed very slowly while playing to hear the transitions between the notes using different valve combinations.
Playing techniques 13, horn + mute + voice + flutter tongue Playing techniques metallic, aggressive, floating, bad signal Horn is played with flutter tongue technique and wooden mute inserted into bell, while the player sings at the same time.
Playing techniques 14, horn + voice + stopped + flutter tongue Playing techniques metallic, floating, rattling Horn is played with flutter tongue technique while at the same time the player is singing and entirely blocking the bell with the hand (=stopped).
Playing techniques 15, false fingering trills Playing techniques shimmering, floating, scary Trills are being played on one note with different, quickly changing valve combinations. Not possible in all ranges.