How often is French Horn music written in bass clef?

Question:I am currently playing Alto Saxophone which is only written in treble clef. I am considering beginning French Horn, but I'm afraid of bass clef. I remember a few notes from a while back when I played the piano, but I don't really know bass clef. I know French Horn music can be written in bass clef, but I don't know how often. How long does bass clef take to learn, and is there really a huge need for learning it for people playing French Horn?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am currently playing Alto Saxophone which is only written in treble clef. I am considering beginning French Horn, but I'm afraid of bass clef. I remember a few notes from a while back when I played the piano, but I don't really know bass clef. I know French Horn music can be written in bass clef, but I don't know how often. How long does bass clef take to learn, and is there really a huge need for learning it for people playing French Horn?

I have been playing French horn for the past five years and have only encountered bass clef once. This year I made first chair at the District Honor Band and for one song, the entire section played bass clef. I honestly have never learned how to read bass clef fluently and probably never will. If you do encounter it however (the chances are slim to none) just write the name of the notes on top of the actual note. This was my solution and it works quite well. Just remember, the spaces in the staff are A C E G from bottom to top. A good way to remember this is All Cows Eat Grass. The lines are G B D F A (Good Boys Do Fine Always) bottom to top as well.
I hope this helps! Playing the French horn is very worth your time! It provides many scholarship opportunities and is beautiful.
practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!!

-zoe
the french horn player

My minor instrument was f-horn, and I never ever saw anything in bass clef.

That said, your fear of bass clef is irrational. You learned treble clef once upon a time, so you know you can learn to read music. It's just a different clef, a couple of weeks' effort and it will feel--well, maybe not natural--but do-able for you.

my husband plays 4th horn in his section, which means he generally has the bass line in the harmony. He often plays in bass clef. It's worth your while to re-learn the notation, since horn will switch back and forth during orchestral or opera music. Depends on the composer mostly. Re-learning bass clef is also good practice for learning how to transpose. Don't forget about that part! Horn is a transposing instrument. You'll be doing your gray cells a big favor by becoming mentally agile. Not only that, but you'll be a better musician for it as well.
No hornist would ever be hired by an orchestra if he/she wasn't master of his craft, and reading the notes is just the tip of the iceberg....

Always.

If you are just switching over to horn there is very little chance you will see bass clef music in the next 5 years. You can go all the way through high school without worring about it much. If you do run into bass clef it will be for an isolated note or two, not much to worry about.
LLB