🎯 60-Minute French Horn Practice Schedule
(5–6 days per week)
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 min | Warm-up & Buzzing | Lip engagement, breath focus, tone production |
| – Mouthpiece buzzing (sirens, glides) | ||
| – Long tones (low F, G, Bb) | ||
| 10–20 min | Tone & Range Building | Develop tone across registers |
| – Slurred 5-note patterns | (e.g., C-D-E-F-G & back, up/down by half steps) | |
| – Descending & ascending long tones | (Focus on smooth transitions) | |
| 20–30 min | Flexibility & Lip Slurs | Improve embouchure control and slot accuracy |
| – Lip slurs (F-Bb-F-Bb-F) | (Slow to moderate tempo) | |
| – Add valves progressively | (F-G-F-G, F-A-F-A, etc.) | |
| 30–40 min | Technical Work | Finger coordination & rhythm |
| – Major scales (1 or 2 keys/day) | (Start with F, Bb, C; 1 octave) | |
| – Simple rhythm etudes or fingering drills | (Quarter/eighth note combos) | |
| 40–55 min | Repertoire / Method Book / Lesson Work | Apply skills to real music |
| – Play from beginner/intermediate book | (e.g., Essential Elements, Rubank, Pottag) | |
| – Focus on phrasing & dynamics | ||
| 55–60 min | Cool-down | Relax muscles, end with confidence |
| – Soft long tones (mid to low range) | (Play pp for tone control) | |
| – Gentle slurs or simple tunes | (Folk songs, hymns, or anything lyrical) |
