French Horn Fingering Chart
This French horn fingering chart shows the valves for every written note on double horn (F and B♭ sides) and single F horn. Tap a note to see the fingering, including the thumb trigger, and hear it at concert pitch.
Written note
Sounds F3 (concert)
Open (no valves)
Middle C (written): open on the F side. Concert F.
Keyboard of every note on this chart. Use the note list or arrow keys instead if you prefer.
Instrument type
Notes shown
Note names
Options
Play a scale
Alternate fingerings for C4
None in common use. Use the main fingering above.
All French horn fingerings (written low C to high C)
Every note on one page. Tap a note to hear it and load it into the tool above. Black means pressed or covered.
Low register (F side)C3–B3
Middle registerC4–B4
- C4concert F3Open
- C♯4 / D♭4concert F♯31 + 2
- D4concert G31
- E♭4 / D♯4concert A♭32
- E4concert A3Open
- F4concert B♭31
- F♯4 / G♭4concert B32
- G4concert C4T 1Single F: OpenAlt: Open
- A♭4 / G♯4concert D♭4T 2 + 3Single F: 2 + 3Alt: 2 + 3; T 2Being checked
- A4concert D4T 1 + 2Single F: 1 + 2Alt: 1 + 2; T (open)Being checked
- B♭4 / A♯4concert E♭4T 1Single F: 1Alt: 1
- B4concert E4T 2Single F: 2Alt: 2
High registerC5–C6
- C5concert F4T (open)Single F: OpenAlt: Open
- C♯5 / D♭5concert F♯4T 2 + 3Single F: 1 + 2Alt: 1 + 2
- D5concert G4T 1 + 2Single F: 1Alt: 1
- E♭5 / D♯5concert A♭4T 1Single F: 2Alt: 2
- E5concert A4T 2Single F: OpenAlt: Open
- F5concert B♭4T (open)Single F: 1Alt: 1
- F♯5 / G♭5concert B4T 2Single F: 2Alt: 2
- G5concert C5T (open)Single F: OpenAlt: Open
- A♭5 / G♯5concert D♭5T 2Single F: 2 + 3Alt: 2 + 3
- A5concert D5T (open)Single F: 1 + 2Alt: 1 + 2; T 1 + 2Being checked
- B♭5 / A♯5concert E♭5T 1Single F: 1Alt: 1
- B5concert E5T 2Single F: 2Alt: 2
- C6concert F5T (open)Single F: OpenAlt: Open
How to read this French horn fingering chart
Each box shows one written note (horn reads treble clef) and the valves to press. Filled means pressed. The rounded key marked T is the thumb trigger: when it is filled, play on the B♭ side.
The chart defaults to double horn. Where single F horn uses a different fingering, a second line shows it, for example “Single F: 1 + 2” on A above middle C.
Double French horn fingering chart: F side and B♭ side
A double horn is two horns in one. The thumb trigger switches between them:
- F side (no thumb): longer tubing, a warm sound. Used for the low and middle range, roughly up to written F♯ above middle C.
- B♭ side (thumb down): shorter tubing, more secure high notes. Most players use it from written G above middle C and up.
Some teachers switch at F♯ or even lower; others keep certain notes on F for tone. The chart shows the most common choices, with the F-side fingering listed as an alternate.
French horn fingerings for beginners
| Written note | F side | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C (middle) | Open | Sounds concert F |
| D | 1 | |
| E | Open | |
| F | 1 | |
| G | Open | Switch point for many double horn players |
Horn high notes
Above the staff the partials sit close together, so it is easy to land on the wrong one. Hear the note first (tap it in the tool), keep the air moving, and use the B♭ side. Written high C (C6) is open on the B♭ side.
French Horn Fingering Chart FAQ
When do you use the thumb trigger on a double horn?
Most players press the thumb trigger (the B♭ side) from written G above middle C upward, and use the F side below that. The B♭ side is shorter, so high notes are more secure and in tune. Teachers vary on the exact switch point.
What is the difference between a single F horn and a double horn?
A single F horn has one set of tubing. A double horn adds a shorter B♭ side, selected with the thumb trigger. Fingerings on the F side are the same on both horns.
What key is the French horn in?
The horn is in F. Written notes sound a perfect fifth lower, so written C sounds concert F. This chart shows written notes and the concert pitch in each box.
Why does the horn have so many open notes?
The horn plays high in its harmonic series, where the partials are close together. With no valves on the F side you can play written C, G, C, E, G and high C, depending on your air and lips.
What notes should a beginner horn player learn first?
Most band books start on written C, D, E, F and G (open, 1, open, 1 and open on the F side). The Beginner view shows the first octave from middle C.
Related charts
Last updated .How we verify fingerings