How to Remove Valves From a French Horn
The modern French horn was introduced in France in the 16th century. It was primarily used during wild animal hunts as a signaling horn. It later became a standard instrument for the brass and woodwind sections of symphony orchestras. The modern French horn is played in the key of F and has three valves. Removing the valves is an important part of the maintenance and cleaning process and can be done at home, although many musicians prefer to take their instruments to licensed repair centers.
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Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Small hammer or rawhide mallet
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Lay the horn face up on a folded towel. Use the Phillips head to loosen the valve lever and stop arm screws. These screws do not need to be removed. Use the flat-head screwdriver to remove the string from around the valves.
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2
Remove the center screw from the rotor shaft on each valve. Set aside. Turn the horn over and remove the valve cap from each valve. Set each cap aside.
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3
Turn the horn back over. Remove the stop arm from each valve by inserting the tip of the flat-head screwdriver underneath the arm and gently lifting up. Set each stop arm aside. Gently tap on the center of the valve with the hammer or mallet. The valve will drop out onto the towel.
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References
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