Choosing the best french horn mouthpiece can be tricky. Being one of the less popular brass instruments, there are less quality mouthpiece options out there and fewer reviews to rely upon.
You can’t just buy any mouthpiece and expect stellar results. Plus the stock mouthpiece that comes with the instrument is far from ideal and is usually subpar in terms of quality. There are different factors that will help you find the best mouthpiece for your french horn such as weight, rim, and cup size.
Contents
10 Best French Horn Mouthpieces on the Market:
1.Yamaha YAC HR30-GPR
FEATURES
- Heavy white-gold plated mouthpiece with golden rim
- Shallow U cup and deep V design to help improve range
- Made to be an all-purpose mouthpiece for musicians of all skill levels
- Produced by trusted Yamaha brand
The Yamaha YAC HR30-GPR is a high end french horn mouthpiece that costs under $100. It’s a classy looking all-purpose mouthpiece that helps with intonation and dynamic range.
While some mouthpieces may improve either the high range or lower ranger of the instrument, the Yamaha YAC HR30-GPR is designed with a shallow U-shaped cup to strengthen the high range and a deep-V to help hit the low notes.
Expert Opinions
Experts love this mouthpiece for themselves and it’s a great choice for their students as well. The Yamaha YAC HR30-GPR is a long-lasting all-purpose mouthpiece for musicians of all skill levels.
It improves sound quality, intonation, and dynamic range. This mid-priced french horn mouthpiece is one of the best choices you can make considering the price.
- Elegant appearance with white and yellow gold-plating
- Shape ideal for expanding both high and low range
- Improves dynamic range and intonation
- General purpose mouthpiece that’s ideal for all musicians regardless of skill level
- Made by Yamaha – one of the most trusted brands in band instruments
- Long-lasting and can be used for as long as the mouthpiece is cared for
- Somewhat pricey
2. Faxx 11
FEATURES
- Thick rim
- Long shank
- Affordable step-up mouthpiece
The Faxx 11 is a good quality french horn mouthpiece for beginner musicians just looking for a step-up mouthpiece that’s under $50.
It may not be one that you’ll keep around if you progress to be an intermediate or professional but it’s better than a majority of the stock mouthpieces and is an affordable choice for those who may not be committed enough to buy a more long-lasting part.
Expert Opinions
This is an okay step-up mouthpiece for beginner musicians but not one that any expert would keep around and most wouldn’t recommend just a step-up mouthpiece.
There are better options but if you’re just getting started and your budget is low, this will at least be a marginal improvement over the stock mouthpiece that came with the french horn.
- Good choice for beginners
- Brass musicians switching from other instruments find this a great mouthpiece to transition from
- Common mouthpiece size of higher quality than the stock mouthpiece
- Affordable
- Will need early upgrading
- Some band directors may not allow this mouthpiece even in early ensembles
3. Glory
FEATURES
- Silver-plated
- Low budget step-up mouthpiece
- Standard size – great for beginners
Glory is the best french horn mouthpiece for beginners with a low budget. This silver-plated step-up mouthpiece runs less than $10 making it a great choice for beginners who may still be testing the waters of playing french horn.
Expert Opinions
Glory’s french horn mouthpiece is at least better than a stock mouthpiece. If you’re just going to get a step-up mouthpiece, this is a decent option but it won’t last long. A higher-quality mouthpiece will be requested by an instructor after a short period of time.
- Affordable
- Silver-plated
- All-purpose use
- Will require early upgrading
- Band directors may not recommend (or allow) this mouthpiece even for beginner ensemble performances
4. Schilke 30
FEATURES
- Silver mouthpiece
- Wide rounded rim
- Fairly deep cup
Schilke is among the best french horn mouthpiece brands so it’s no surprise that the standard-sized Schilke 30 made this list. It’s made to be a great all-purpose french horn mouthpiece with a wide rounded rim and semi-deep cup.
Expert Opinions
This is a great mid-priced mouthpiece. At well under $100, the Schilke 30 is a great choice for french horn musicians of varying skill levels. It’s one that’s well-suited for beginners and professionals alike.
While a professional may choose to later upgrade to a more expensive mouthpiece, it’s one that many would choose to keep on hand even if just as a backup.
- Long-lasting all-purpose mouthpiece for musicians of all skill levels
- Mid-level price point
- Recommended by professionals and band instructors
- Improves intonation, sound quality, and dynamic range
- Not all musicians like the shape
5. Kelly
FEATURES
- Aren’t effected by weather or temperature
- Available in 10 colors
- Affordable step-up mouthpieces
Kelly is well-known for their high-quality plastic french horn mouthpieces. These are ideal for outdoor ensemble uses such as marching band. Available in 10 colors for under $50, Kelly french horn mouthpieces are both fun and practical.
Expert Opinions
Kelly mouthpieces aren’t ideal for everyday use but they certainly have a valued place for french horn players. They’re about equivalent to a step-up mouthpiece in quality but are of great value to those who are in marching bands and other outdoor ensembles.
A Kelly french horn mouthpiece probably isn’t a great choice if you’re looking for a single all-purpose mouthpiece but is great for a backup and for outside performances.
- Great for outdoor ensembles
- Aren’t effected by weather or temperature
- Available in 10 colors
- Affordable step-up mouthpieces
- Not great everyday mouthpieces
- Don’t look as elegant as traditional silver-plated options
6. Holton Farkas H2850GMDC
FEATURES
- Gold-plated
- Medium deep cup
The Holton Farkas H28GMDC is a premium mouthpiece for french horn. Though it may run you well over $100, this gold-plated mouthpiece is a great all-purpose choice for musicians of all skill levels.
Expert Opinions
The Holton Farkas H2850SMDC is a great all-around french horn mouthpiece for everyone. It richens the sound quality and is a long-lasting mouthpiece for musicians regardless of where they are in their musical journey.
- Long-lasting all-purpose mouthpiece for all
- Elegant and unique gold-plating
- Medium deep cup
- Expensive
- Not available in different rim sizes
7. Denis Wick DWPAX-8
FEATURES
- Funnel-shaped cup
- Bottom heavy
- Improves range and improves sound quality
Denis Wick DWPAX-8 has a deep funnel cup to assist in richening the sound throughout the entire range of the french horn. For under $100, this mouthpiece creates a full-bodied sound and is ideal for musicians of all skill levels. It’s easy enough for a beginner to learn on and can create the rich sound that a professional desires.
Expert Opinion
This is a great all-around mouthpiece for beginners and experienced french horn musicians alike. It has a great response and improves intonation with the rich sound that this mouthpiece is capable of. This mouthpiece has the ability to create some of the most well-rounded sounded.
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- Mid-price point
- High-quality all-purpose mouthpiece
- Funnel-shaped cup for rich sound production
- Improves range and sound quality
- Non-traditional size and shape are somewhat difficult to adjust to
8. Holton Farkas H2850MC
FEATURES
- Silver-plated
- Medium cup
- Improves sound quality
Holton Farkas H2850MC is a silver-plated mouthpiece with a medium cup. This mouthpiece is well under $100 making it a mid-priced option that musicians of all skill levels can enjoy. It’s a solid choice for all musicians to improve the sound quality of their french horns.
Expert Opinions
No director or professional is disappointed to see a Bach mouthpiece. These consistently high-quality mouthpieces are great for musicians of all levels.
This particular size is ideal for beginner to intermediate french horn players. However, many professionals still find this to be a great mouthpiece to keep on hand for certain pieces or performances.
- Easy to play for those with more delicate embouchure
- Narrow cushion rim
- Affordable mid-price mouthpiece
- Made by a well-trusted brand
- Harder to play for those with stronger embouchure
- May need upgrading if you go on to be an upper level french horn musician
9. Bach 33612
FEATURES
- Narrow rim
- 16.5mm cup diameter
- Medium cup
- Silver-plated
- Made by reliable Bach brand
Bach 33612 is a high-quality french horn mouthpiece for beginner to intermediate musicians by a reputable brand. The narrow rim and medium cup design is ideal for those with a more delicate embouchure. The silver-plating gives this french horn mouthpiece an elegant appearance and comes highly recommended by band directors.
Expert Opinions
No director or professional is disappointed to see a Bach mouthpiece. These consistently high-quality mouthpieces are great for musicians of all levels.
This particular size is ideal for beginner to intermediate french horn players. However, many professionals still find this to be a great mouthpiece to keep on hand for certain pieces or performances.
- Easy to play for those with more delicate embouchure
- Narrow cushion rim
- Affordable mid-price mouthpiece
- Made by a well-trusted brand
- Harder to play for those with stronger embouchure
- May need upgrading if you go on to be an upper level french horn musician
10. Andoer
FEATURES
- Cheap – under $20
- Elegant gold-plating
- Standard size
- Ideal for beginners
Andoer is a standard-sized cheap french horn mouthpiece for beginners. The gold-plating is an elegant choice that varies from the standard silver. For the low price, Andoer offers a good step-up mouthpiece.
Expert Opinions
Andoer french horn mouthpieces are okay for non-dedicated beginner musicians. The step-up mouthpiece is better than the stock option but it will need early upgrading and may not be ideal for those who are members of an ensemble.
- Cheap – under $20
- Elegant gold-plating
- Standard size
- Ideal for beginners
- Will need early upgrading
- Instructors may not recommend (or allow) this mouthpiece for performances
French Horn Mouthpieces
The best french horn mouthpiece won’t be the same for everyone. Between embouchure and personal preferences, results can vary. For beginners, it’s best to start with a standard size with a medium cup and learn to adjust from there as you upgrade or add to your mouthpiece collection.
Factors to Consider
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a mouthpiece for a horn. Some people put their budget first but while it is an important consideration, results may vary with that ideology.
Cup size, diameter, and rim size are important to keep in mind otherwise the mouthpiece that you purchase may not be ideal or possibly not playable.
Different rim options can change the feel of playing the french horn and since it’s the part that’s actually touching your lips, it’s arguably the most important factor to consider.
The rim that matches your embouchure is imperative to achieving your best sound. Oval rims tend to be ideal for general purpose mouthpieces and a good spot for beginners to get started.
Thick rims can help those who may be struggling to play due to braces. Some people with sensitive teethe notice more comfort playing on a mouthpiece with a flat rim.
Cushion rims are another good choice for beginners as they can help with endurance but round contours provide more flexibility.
Cup is one of the most advertised differences in french horn mouthpieces. The depth of the cup tends to determine whether the mouthpiece is more helpful with the high range or low range.
Deeper cups tend to help with the low notes while the shallow cups help expand the high range. Many prefer medium to deep cups to keep the tonal quality more rich and round.
Diameter is a factor that has a lot of misconceptions. The tightness of the player’s embouchure is the most important thing to consider when choosing the right diameter.
There’s a general misconception that the mouth size is what should be thought of first when looking at diameter of a french horn mouthpiece. While that may effect the tightness of the embouchure, it’s not the sole factor in finding the right diameter mouthpiece.
Many of the mouthpieces aimed at beginners have a mid-range diameter which is a great place to start for those who aren’t sure which size is ideal for their style of playing.
With mouthpieces in general, a beginner will usually start with something that is somewhere in the mid-range of each of these factors.
From there, you’ll learn what could be adjusted to help you achieve the best possible sound quality on your french horn with the skills that you acquire. It’s part of why everyone’s favorite mouthpiece won’t be the same and the choice is somewhat personal.
Making The Decision
Choosing the best tuba mouthpiece is a personal call but that doesn’t mean that some aren’t of better quality than others. If you’re a professional musician or training to be one, you can’t beat the Perantucci PT-50.
The sound dark and rich sound it can create just can’t be matched but it isn’t ideal for less experienced tuba players.
For all-around use and musicians of all skill levels, the Bach 18 is number one. It really is for everyone. Professionals use this mouthpiece and it’s affordable enough that students can start out on it as well.
There’s nothing negative that can be said about this mouthpiece. Band directors will be happy to see a tuba player pull out a Bach 18 no matter what group they’re working with.
