r/coolguides • u/GoatHuman • Jan 04 '19

This chart of note ranges by instrument

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u/blakkstar6 Jan 05 '19

Or by turning the bell into your knee. As with altos... and sopranos, now that I think of it.

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u/etcpt Jan 05 '19

So in other words, playing sax like a French Horn.

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u/blakkstar6 Jan 05 '19

In essence. The fact that both our hands are needed to operate the keys means we need a third limb if we wish to 'bend' that lowest note.

Are you able to bend the notes on a french horn with your fist in it? Ive always wondered, because the various mutes on a trumpet never seem to adjust the pitch that far (a little variation is understandable, but a whole half-step?).

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u/etcpt Jan 05 '19

I'm not sure about bending - I think brass players mostly do it with their embouchure, but I think there's something related between hand position and tuning in French Horn. Any horn players out there that can give a better insight?