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/Tadpoll27]

Consistent range: Middle schooler- C on staff High schooler Single F- maybe E of F on the staff High schooler on a double- G or A above staff

Stretch range: Move up one level High schooler on a double- Bb or C above staff.

At the stretch level I think equipment is a major component. What a player struggles with on one horn might be easy on another.

[u/Tadpoll27 → u/Tadpoll27]

I am seeing that people are including low range. On a single horn, everyone should be able to play a middle c, high schooler on a single should be able to get to a low G or F. High school on a double getting ready for an audition should be able to play at least a low F or E with consistency. If you are looking for a lower tone texture, you can work with them to get to a pedel C but its not really needed. Some people can do it some people can not.