Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could advise us regarding the recommended instrument for a six year old boy who from the age of 4 has a dream of learning to play the French horn.
I know he will have to wait until his front teeth change.
Is there any other brass instrument he can learn in the meantime?
Any music school recommended in north London where he can play in ensembles?
Many thanks, Aya.
Full Version: French Horn For Six Year Olds
I live in France and was surprised to discover that in France the French horn is considered to be one of the instruments that children can start studying when they are about five. A friend of mine's son started learning when he was five on a smaller size horn. I am not a horn player so don't really know anything about them but I think its proper name is a single horn. Last year (age 9) her son moved up to a bigger horn and (age 10) he has just passed his "examen de fin de 1er cycle" which is, I think, probably equivalent to about grade 4-5. I remember her telling me that when he lost his front teeth the sound was a bit funny until the new ones came through sufficiently but it didn't stop him playing.
I should stress that this boy is not an exception. The French horn teacher actively encourages them to start very young and every year at his end of year concert there are always four or five tiny ones who play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (or something similar).
I should stress that this boy is not an exception. The French horn teacher actively encourages them to start very young and every year at his end of year concert there are always four or five tiny ones who play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (or something similar).
You do not have to wait untill they have their adult teeth, it is a bit of a myth.
I know alot of brass players who started playing when they were 4.
I know alot of brass players who started playing when they were 4.
QUOTE(kerioboe @ May 9 2007, 08:43 AM) 
I live in France and was surprised to discover that in France the French horn is considered to be one of the instruments that children can start studying when they are about five. A friend of mine's son started learning when he was five on a smaller size horn. I am not a horn player so don't really know anything about them but I think its proper name is a single horn. Last year (age 9) her son moved up to a bigger horn and (age 10) he has just passed his "examen de fin de 1er cycle" which is, I think, probably equivalent to about grade 4-5. I remember her telling me that when he lost his front teeth the sound was a bit funny until the new ones came through sufficiently but it didn't stop him playing.
I should stress that this boy is not an exception. The French horn teacher actively encourages them to start very young and every year at his end of year concert there are always four or five tiny ones who play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (or something similar).
thanks!!! that is very encouraging.
QUOTE(Trumpeter @ May 9 2007, 09:00 AM)
You do not have to wait untill they have their adult teeth, it is a bit of a myth.
I know alot of brass players who started playing when they were 4.
thanks!!!
One of the county's woodwind peris told me that she had bought her 4/5 year old daughter a baby french horn!
I have a friend who started when he was six and is now not half bad 
Kerioboe - yes, it would be a single Horn. Double Horns are F and Bb (though you always think in F - you don't think a transposition) and a single is one or the other. I've heard of teachers starting pupils on single Bbs because they're so much lighter - I have a full double and the first thing people say when they try it out tends to be "It's so heavy!" They also do Horns that are just simply smaller - I never stop taking the mick out of my friend who is about double my size and yet still has a tiny, almost child-size Horn! All of these may be viable options - he could simply learn the trumpet before, but I think if his dream is to play the Horn it might just be better to let him start on it (the weight of the instrument seems to be the main problem and that could be solved with a smaller instrument).
When you say North London, whereabouts are we talking? I know of a few places (being in North London myself) but obviously there could be huge amounts of travel involved between them! If you can let me know more specifically I may be able to help
Kerioboe - yes, it would be a single Horn. Double Horns are F and Bb (though you always think in F - you don't think a transposition) and a single is one or the other. I've heard of teachers starting pupils on single Bbs because they're so much lighter - I have a full double and the first thing people say when they try it out tends to be "It's so heavy!" They also do Horns that are just simply smaller - I never stop taking the mick out of my friend who is about double my size and yet still has a tiny, almost child-size Horn! All of these may be viable options - he could simply learn the trumpet before, but I think if his dream is to play the Horn it might just be better to let him start on it (the weight of the instrument seems to be the main problem and that could be solved with a smaller instrument).
When you say North London, whereabouts are we talking? I know of a few places (being in North London myself) but obviously there could be huge amounts of travel involved between them! If you can let me know more specifically I may be able to help
QUOTE(Firebird @ May 10 2007, 04:58 PM)
I have a friend who started when he was six and is now not half bad
Kerioboe - yes, it would be a single Horn. Double Horns are F and Bb (though you always think in F - you don't think a transposition) and a single is one or the other. I've heard of teachers starting pupils on single Bbs because they're so much lighter - I have a full double and the first thing people say when they try it out tends to be "It's so heavy!" They also do Horns that are just simply smaller - I never stop taking the mick out of my friend who is about double my size and yet still has a tiny, almost child-size Horn! All of these may be viable options - he could simply learn the trumpet before, but I think if his dream is to play the Horn it might just be better to let him start on it (the weight of the instrument seems to be the main problem and that could be solved with a smaller instrument).
When you say North London, whereabouts are we talking? I know of a few places (being in North London myself) but obviously there could be huge amounts of travel involved between them! If you can let me know more specifically I may be able to help
Hi, thanks so much for your instructive reply. With the encouragement we got from the members of the forum we already got in touch with a good French horn teacher and are about to start tuition this coming week. My son is so excited, we regret not having started even earlier!
Many thanks,
Aya
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