The double horn carries two instruments in one. These are the F-side and B♭-side fingerings, with the thumb trigger shown for each note.
The French Horn sounds a perfect fifth lower than written — a written C sounds concert F. This chart covers 67 notes, C2 to C6. The thumb trigger is separate from the three finger levers — it selects the B♭ side of the horn. Each note below says whether to hold it.
The chart
Every note with its valve combination. A filled valve is held down while you play, not tapped.
Octave 2 · C2 to B2 (12 fingerings)
C2
Standard. (F side)
0
C#2
Standard. (F side)
1-2-3
D2
Standard. (F side)
1-3
Eb2
Standard. (F side)
2-3
E2
Standard. (F side)
1-2
F2
Standard. (F side)
1
F#2
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. Standard. (F side)
2-3
G2
Standard. (F side)
0
G#2
Standard. (F side)
2-3
A2
Standard. (F side)
1-2
Bb2
Standard. (F side)
1
B2
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. Standard. (F side)
2-3
Octave 3 · C3 to B3 (17 fingerings)
C3
Standard. (F side)
0
C#3
1. Standard. 2. Pedagogical (F side)
1-2-3
C#3
alternate (hornmatters).
T23 (Bb side)
D3
1. Standard. 2. Pedagogical (F side)
1-3
D3
alternate (hornmatters). (Bb side)
T3
Eb3
Standard. (F side)
2-3
E3
Standard. (F side)
1-2
F3
Standard. (F side)
1
F#3
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. 1. Standard (Yamaha). (F side)
1-2
F#3
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. 2. Alternate. (F side)
2-3
G3
Standard. (F side)
0
G#3
Standard. (F side)
2-3
A3
Standard. (Bb side (F side) preferred by Yamaha).
1-2
Bb3
1. Standard F side. (F side)
1
Bb3
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2-3
B3
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. 1. Standard F side. (F side)
2-3
B3
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2-3
Octave 4 · C4 to B4 (24 fingerings)
C4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
0
C4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
C#4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
1-2-3
C#4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
D4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
1-3
D4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1
Eb4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
2-3
Eb4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2-3
E4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
1-2
E4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
F4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
1
F4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
F#4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
2-3
F#4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
G4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
0
G4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
G#4
1. Standard F side. (F side)
2-3
G#4
2. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2-3
A4
1. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
A4
2. Standard F side. (F side)
1-2
Bb4
1. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1
Bb4
2. Standard F side. (F side)
1
B4
1. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2-3
B4
Disputed — this contradicts the horn's harmonic series and is under review. 2. Standard F side. (F side)
2-3
Octave 5 · C5 to B5 (13 fingerings)
C5
1. Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
C5
2. Standard F side. (F side)
0
C#5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
D5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1
Eb5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2-3
E5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
F5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
F#5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2
G5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
G#5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2-3
A5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1-2
Bb5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
1
B5
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
2
Octave 6 · C6 to C6 (1 fingering)
C6
Standard Bb side. (Bb side)
0
Under review. F#2, B2, F#3, F#3, B3, B4 conflict with the instrument's harmonic series in the source chart. They are shown as published and marked, rather than quietly corrected or quietly left wrong.
Alternate fingerings
18 notes carry more than one published fingering on the French Horn. Each option is shown in the chart above with the reason to choose it: C#3, D3, F#3, Bb3, B3, C4, C#4, D4, Eb4, E4, F4, F#4, G4, G#4, A4, Bb4, B4, C5.
Questions
What are all the notes on the French Horn?
This chart lists every note on the French Horn from C2 to C6 — 67 fingerings across 5 octaves: octave 2 (12), octave 3 (17), octave 4 (24), octave 5 (13), octave 6 (1). Each note is shown with a diagram and the written-out fingering.
How do you read this chart?
Each card shows one written note, a diagram of what to press, and the same fingering written out underneath so it can be read aloud or copied.
How does the French Horn transpose?
The French Horn sounds a perfect fifth lower than written — a written C sounds concert F.
What is the range of the French Horn?
This chart runs from C2 to C6.
Which French Horn notes have alternate fingerings?
18 notes carry more than one published fingering: C#3, D3, F#3, Bb3, B3, C4, C#4, D4, Eb4, E4, F4, F#4, G4, G#4, A4, Bb4, B4, C5. The chart shows each option with the reason to choose it.
