
Combined into one, the double french horn produces a sound that is like no other instrument in the orchestra. If you know how to make a beautiful sound on a double french horn, then you might already know all the parts and pieces of a modern double horn listed below. Opening the fourth rotary valve on this type of horn accesses the second sides higher tone, plus it adjusts the three main valves into proportionate slide lengths. The double horn is actually two instruments fit snugly into a single frame: the original single horn keyed in F, and a second, higher horn keyed in Bb. However, as the player becomes more advanced, it is likely that they will need to graduate to a double horn, which is the standard professional instrument.

It is lighter than the double french horn and somewhat easier to play. Some players find it is good practice to develop the foundations of technique and tone on a single french horn before stepping up to a double. With roots in the earliest and humblest of monotone hunting horns, today's double french horn is now an engineering marvel combining almost twenty feet of interwoven brass tubing and slides.

The name of the french horn is actually a misnomer: in fact, the horn is a German innovation.
