{"id":1501,"date":"2020-11-19T08:26:22","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T15:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=1501"},"modified":"2020-11-19T08:26:22","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T15:26:22","slug":"french-horn-spit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/french-horn-spit\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning the Spit Out of a French Horn: Quick vs. Thoroughly"},"content":{"rendered":"
A French horn is a one-of-kind instrument, from its curvature design to its unique sound. But, like any brass instrument, spit will eventually build up and will need to be cleaned out if you want to maintain a high-quality sound.<\/p>\n
To quickly clean out spit from a French horn, remove the mouthpiece and turn the instrument over so the opening is pointed downward. Any excess saliva and condensation should drain out. You will need to remove the horn\u2019s valves\/tuning slides and wipe down the inside for a more thorough clean.<\/strong><\/p>\n While both techniques will remove any spit or condensation from your French horn, these are not the only ways you can keep your instrument clean and concert-ready. There are several cleaning methods required to keep your French horn in good condition.<\/p>\n Although spit build up can lead to a muffled sound, there are also other factors that could also cause your French horn to sound muffled including how you play. You can find out about this further down in this article but let’s cover how to clean out the spit first!<\/p>\n The quickest\u2014and easiest\u2014way to remove the spit from a French horn is to remove the mouthpiece from the instrument and tilt it over so that the opening revealed faces the floor.<\/strong> This way, the saliva and condensation within the horn can drain out properly.<\/p>\n Most of the spit that ends up in the instrument will get caught right around the first bend of the horn, so when you are in a pinch\u2014especially if you are in the middle of a concert or practice\u2014this simple method can help eliminate it so you can continue to produce a quality sound.<\/p>\n Of course, this method is not guaranteed to remove all the spit built up in your French horn.<\/p>\n If you play your instrument more than at least two or three times a week, it is recommended that you do a thorough clean of the horn at least once a week to preserve the integrity of the instrument\u2014inside and out\u2014and ensure it keeps its quality sound.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many brass instruments, such as trumpets, trombones, and tubas, have a special \u201cspit valve\u201d that can be removed to clear out all condensation or spit remaining in the horn. However, French horns do not have this feature; therefore, it is important to clean out the instrument thoroughly to remove any excess spit beyond simply draining it by turning it over.<\/p>\n Thoroughly cleaning the spit from a French horn requires a few steps:<\/p>\n (Source: Fhorn Patrick)<\/p>\n Note: If needed, you can use a soft cloth to wipe down the slides and the bell interior to make sure the surfaces are dry.<\/em><\/p>\n As we hinted at the beginning, clearing the spit out of your French horn isn\u2019t the only way you can keep it clean. By following the tips below, you can ensure your instrument stays in the best possible shape for regular practice and performance for years to come:<\/p>\n A French horn can sound beautifully clear when it\u2019s cleaned, in good condition, and played with the right technique. So, if you notice it starting to emit a more muffled noise, it\u2019s time to evaluate how you\u2019re playing the instrument as well as its condition.<\/p>\n One potential reason why your French horn might sound muffled is your playing technique, specifically where you have your hands placed on the instrument.<\/p>\n French horns require both of your hands to be played correctly: the first hand uses the fingers to press down the appropriate valves to emit different notes, while the second hand is placed inside the instrument\u2019s bell to create its unique sound.<\/p>\n For some players\u2014usually novices\u2014pushing your hand too far inside the bell or covering the opening too much can result in a muffled sound.<\/p>\n Because a French horn has a unique design with plenty of tubing, it requires a significant amount of air to flow through it to produce a full, clear sound compared to an instrument like a trumpet.<\/p>\n If your French horn sounds muffled, it could be a sign it\u2019s not getting enough air, either because you\u2019re not blowing enough air due to lower lung capacity or there\u2019s too much condensation or saliva in the instrument for the air to push through.<\/p>\n The latter leads us to the final reason you hear muffled sounds:<\/p>\n As the previous section suggests, you may be hearing muffled sounds from your French horn because there\u2019s too much water in the instrument blocking air from traveling.<\/p>\n Your spit, combined with the air you blow through the instrument that creates condensation inside it, can quickly clog up the horn in certain areas, such as within valves or tuning slides.<\/p>\n To resolve this, you simply need to remove the spit from the instrument by quickly draining it out or performing a more thorough clean of the interior.<\/p>\n Ensuring your French horn is in top playing shape can take time and effort\u2014and a little bit of due diligence. A muffled French horn is a bad-sounding French horn, so be sure that you clear the instrument of any potential blockage like spit, condensation, or excess food particles that may be stuck in the tubing.<\/p>\n In addition, regular care and maintenance are key to ensure your French horn stays in good condition for years. This includes additional tasks like polishing and wiping down the outside of your instrument. If you’re looking for cleaning cloths, cleaners, or polish, visit our supplies page<\/a> for recommendations!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Like any brass instrument, spit will eventually build up in your French horn and will need to be cleaned out if you want to maintain a high-quality sound. Learn how to do it quickly and more thoroughly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1535,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,188],"tags":[214,213,215],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1501"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How to Quickly Clean Spit from a French Horn<\/h2>\n
How to Thoroughly Clean Spit from a French Horn<\/h2>\n
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Final French Horn Cleaning Tips<\/h2>\n
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\nNote: If a slide does not come out easily, this can be a sign of excess build-up. You may need to clear the instrument of excess spit. If this does not help, it is recommended that you bring the horn to a professional for cleaning and repair. Do not try to force the slide out.<\/em><\/li>\n
\nNote: Sugars found in certain foods can lead to corrosion inside the French horn if not cleaned out thoroughly. Also, food left in your instrument\u2019s dark, warm, and wet tubing can eventually grow mold or bacteria, which is not only unsanitary for your horn but can also pose a health hazard to you! This is another reason why it\u2019s important to clean your instrument regularly.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhy Does My French Horn Sound Muffled?<\/h2>\n
Incorrect Hand Placement<\/h3>\n
Not Enough Air Flowing through the Instrument<\/h3>\n
The French Horn Needs to Be Cleaned<\/h3>\n
In Summary<\/h2>\n