Brass in Color

Welcome to Brass in Color!

French Horn Book One of the Brass in Color Beginner Method Series introduces a color-coded tablature (Color Fingerings) to help students learn the fingerings of the French horn and apply them to notes in the Middle Range.

In this beginner method series students will first learn the note’s pitch by listening to his or her instructor, and then by using the Color Fingerings students will be able to easily match the note’s pitch with the fingerings of the French horn. 

Standard music notation has also been included with each lesson to help the instructor know which notes to play, and to teach students how to read the notes as they match them with the fingerings of the French horn.  Breath marks, articulation, dynamics and tempi are not noted in the lessons and may be added by the instructor as needed.  Also, key signatures are not used so that students will focus primarily on listening and learning the fingerings associated with the notes.

There are three main sections in Brass in Color.  The first section is Lessons that introduces new fingerings, notes and music concepts.  The second section is Technique Exercises that consists of two-measure exercises to help students practice and review the material.  The third section is Songs that gives students the opportunity to practice playing longer melodies.

This beginner method series for French horn also has a companion website:  (www.brassincolor.com) 

On the website you will find audio for each lesson as well as different activities, videos and other resources to help students learn to play the French horn.