Hello!
I'm new to this forum and I'm new to french horn.
I played trumpet for about 5 years and another trumpet player and I switched to french horn this february as my school band lacked horns. And considering I'm playing high school level music well with only three/four months on horn I'm doing well.

I have a band final coming up, and while I'm not too worried about it, it's only a simple chromatic scale. I know what a chromatic scale is/how to play one, but I ask this-

What's a realistic range for a high schooler?
I'm playing on a double horn, which makes the higher notes easier to get, but I'm not sure what's a reasonable range. If someone could give me some 'landmarks', I'd greatly appreciate it!

(While I'm at it, I recently had a concert, and listening to the recording my horn buddy and I could barely hear ourselves. We both recall being far more audible in the recordings of band practice. I have already noticed long sleeves affect the sound of the horn, could a long sleeve button down shirt have 'absorbed' the sound? We did roll up our right sleeves, but not very much, only to a three-quarter length. Any comments on this would be appreciated as well!)

What is your high range and what is your low range?

Regarding the recording :
Don't worry too much about it. What you do and do not hear in the recording has nothing to do with what the audience may have heard. Many people do not know how to record properly and many people just can't afford all the equipment to do it correctly.

Your shirt sleeves should not affect your sound too much. As a professional I don't roll up my sleeves. If you watch any professional orchestras they don't roll up their sleeves. It is not professional. Your director should be able to tell you if he can hear you or not. Don't rely on the recording.

Almost echoing our previous poster: is your current range good enough for the music you're being asked to play? If so, fine - go on & play it. Otherwise consult your teacher on what to do about it.

Generally, I would say a modest 1st horn range would be up to around F at the top of the stave. 2nd horn might go down to F below. These are just general guidelines & it doesn't hurt to be able to play in practice a note or two beyond what you're called upon to do in band.

Rather than possible extreme notes, for me is the question of what is you reliable range, the range you can hit time & time again without having to hope too much? Range, especially high range, does seem to be a preoccupation with many brass players but it takes time to develop, so be patient.

I hope this helps!

JOhnlovemusic- Thanks for the sleeve advice! It's good to know it was probably just a fluke and no fault of our own. The only reason we did roll up our sleeves was because we noticed sweatshirt sleeves distorted the sound and wanted to play it safe. I'll be sure to relay the news!

rogerc- Thanks for the upper range landmark, I'm now breathing a sigh of relief. That F is definitely reasonable for me to reach. Switching from trumpet gave me a pretty good range on the horn to start out, and it's good to hear that I can play within reason. (I don't think it really matters first or second in this case, the band directors wouldn't change the scale too much from one person to the next.)