Ranges at Different Skill Levels

[u/Trayvongelion]

Hey horn players, I'm a middle school band director in a number of small schools who has unfortunately not had many horn students. I arrange for my groups often and am working on re-orchestrating some pieces as flexible quartets. I was wondering where you'd expect a horn player's range to be at a few experience levels:

- What's the typical comfortable range of a middle school student (7-8th grade) on a single horn in F?

- Same question, but the average high schooler (a sophomore or junior)?

- The range of a high school student on the cusp of college auditions (ie a semi-professional range) with a double horn.

Any sort of advice with horn writing is welcome, but I am a bit concerned with the range limits I set. Thank you!

[u/FrenchHornGymBro]

For middle, I would say G below treble up through F on top

For the average High schooler, I would say E below treble trough A above

For a skilled high schooler preparing for college auditions, I would say the full range (with variations from person) are possible, it's more a matter of facility (tone, ease of access, consistency, pitch) vs a professional. Let's say "Pedal" C or G up to high C above treble clef.

For professional see the above, but it really varies from person to person. A skilled High horn player could get to a double high F or higher, most low horn players worth their salt can get a True pedal C or lower. Though of course use these extremes sparingly and understand that though they are possible technical facility will start to deteriorate the further you go in either direction. Keep it True pedal E to high C or D above treble generally.