French Horn Accessories for Daily Practice

You can’t expect maximum playability from your instrument if you don’t maintain it properly after daily practice. On the other hand, you need accessories to improve your comfort, especially grip, when practicing for extended periods. In this article, we will explore what French horn accessories you need to get the best sound and make your practice sessions  an enjoyable experience.

Cleaning Kits 

You can’t have a responsive and long-lasting instrument without a proper care routine and tools designed to make this process fast and effective. 

Polishing Cloth/Microfiber Towel

Your shiny French horn surface is regularly exposed to sweat, dust, oils, and especially fingerprints. When not removed, the residue can accumulate, spoiling the overall impression about your instrument. A soft microfiber towel can help you quickly keep your instrument surface flawless and free of fingerprints. Unlike rough materials, it doesn’t damage a delicate finish yet gives your horn a visually appealing look. 

Swabs and Brushes

Using a swab, musicians can remove moisture from areas where it accumulates fastest — inside the leadpipe and tubing. A snake brush and mouthpiece brush remove residue before it builds up in your instrument, reducing risk of corrosion and costly repair. 

Maintenance Items 

These products protect moving parts from wear and corrosion, and ensure smooth operation of your French horn during daily practice. 

Rotary Oil

Valve oil is one of the most crucial maintenance products, as it directly affects your instrument’s response and speed. By lubricating your French horn with rotary oil, you allow the rotary valves to move freely, avoiding any resistance. In daily practice, it means consistent airflow and protection against fast mechanical wear.

Slide Grease

Slide grease is another maintenance product that helps your French horn’s tuning slides move smoothly. Slide grease prevents these parts from becoming stuck and saves you time on tuning adjustments. 

Practice Aids 

These accessories make your practice more comfortable regardless of how long you play. 

Hand Guard

The brass surface is highly vulnerable to tarnishing and oxidation since it regularly comes into contact with your sweaty hands. Players can even notice visible defects on their instrument’s surface over time. By using protective covers, also known as French horn guards, you can shield the most vulnerable areas from discoloration and corrosion. Moreover, leather hand guards offer you better control over your instrument as these accessories reduce the risk of a slippery surface and provide a secure hold.

Hand Strap

Similar to guards, these protective accessories act like a barrier between your skin and your instrument finish. However, unlike them, hand straps typically feature a hook, making your grip during practice more secure. By using these accessories, you get a non-slippery hand support that allows you to play longer with full focus on your music instead of your grip.

Music Stand 

It keeps sheet music at eye level, so your posture and breathing stay correct. You don’t need to hold pages in your hands as it keeps all the scores clearly visible, reducing unnecessary tension and distraction. A music stand helps you better focus on performance and see in advance how different parts of the musical piece fit together. 

Music Notebook

Inspiration can strike anywhere so having a compact notebook within quick reach is really beneficial. For students, music notebooks are an essential accessory for making notes about music theory or writing down warm-up exercises. You can go for the hardcover option or choose notebooks with genuine leather covers, known for their long lifetime and always trendy look.

Skill Improving Accessories 

These essentials help you progress over time in terms of playing technique. 

Metronome 

By practicing alongside a metronome, you as a player can develop steady timing and rhythmic accuracy.  You learn how to maintain a consistent tempo during practice without speeding up or slowing down when it isn’t necessary. A metronome is also an awesome tool for musicians who want to improve playing with the rest of the ensemble.

Recording Device

Listening to your recorded performance reveals what you typically can’t notice while playing. By using a recording device or an app with the same function on your smartphone, you can get clear feedback on your intonation and articulation. You will hear where you need to improve and use this feedback to work on your weak points.

Protection Accessories

These accessories protect your instrument during travel and ensure its parts remain secure during storage. 

Mouthpiece Holder

This accessory helps you keep your mouthpieces organized and easily reachable. It saves you from messing around trying to find your gear somewhere at the bottom of your bag or among other essentials in the pocket. Holders not only protect your mouthpieces from external factors but also keep them safe from contact with each other and other accessories. Available in single, double and triple options, mouthpiece holders are a must-have for touring players and students traveling from one place to another.

French Horn Bag 

Even during your way from home to music school you instrument may be exposed to temperature changes, sudden drops, and other negative impacts. A reliable bag tailored to a French horn shape with padding to keep all the mechanisms protected can make your travel absolutely safe even in bad weather. Modern French horn bags vary in sizes and materials, feature shoulder straps, as well as external and internal pockets for accessories.

Final Word 

Your daily practice requires a list of things aimed at your instrument protection, your personal comfort, easy maintenance and cleaning, as well as skill development. With a set of practical gear you can make your practice sessions more enjoyable and rewarding.

Our company consistently designs new products to improve the playing experience of professionals and students. Explore our full collection of French horn accessories, featuring genuine leather and a variety of colors to match everyone’s style.

For all our customers, we provide additional service — free embossing. You can learn more about it by reading our article Free Embossing on MG Leather Work Products: How it works.

Source: 

The Best French Horn Accessories & Equipment | ColinDorman.com

Top 10 Gifts for French Horn Players – KGUmusic