Thompson Flexibility Studies for French Horn Vol. 2: A comprehensive method of study in lip flexibility for the intermediate french horn player Paperback – December 5, 2025

This is Vol. 2 of the Thompson Flexibility Studies for french horn players. It is designed for intermediate players.The intermediate level french horn player is the largest, most populous group of players.My best guess is that 70% - 80% of all french horn players around the globe are intermediate players.Think about it: Most beginners at some point after 2-3 years, will find themselves no longer a beginner, but a developing intermediate french horn player. They no longer have to go to the back of their band builder horn book to look up a fingering. They typically know the difference in a whole note and a half note. They also have had experience playing in a few band concerts too.So, all beginners turn into intermediate players in a few short years.What happens then?Most stay in the intermediate camp of french horn players the rest of their life unless something special happens.If an intermediate french horn player develops notions of wanting to play high, or wanting to play great concertos in the style of Dennis Brain, or if they are constantly striving to play 1st french horn parts and/or solo parts in their ensembles, a special thing may happen to these players:ADVANCEMENT!Because of their burning desires listed above, they may increase their practice time. They may involve themselves in months or years of private horn lessons. They may even help out first time beginners in 4th grade or 5th grade.With a lot of hard, but fun work and experience, they might eventually join the ranks of the sparsely populated Advance Tier.Not too many french horn players around the globe are advanced or professional caliber players.Some good, intermediate horn players may like to think that they are advanced, but more likely than not, it is wishful thinking on their part.A good test to figure it all out would be to add up your concentrated practice sessions from when you began playing until present times.1000 hours of good, solid practice will likely put you at the bottom rung on the ladder of advanced players.It is not as easy or quick as you may think.It would not be too difficult to be able to enjoy playing all your life as an intermediate player especially if you were distracted by a very busy career and family life.To become an advanced french horn player, you would have to make sacrifices.Big Time Sacrifices.I have limited the high range of this book to High G. The High G is the note that sits right on top of the treble clef staff.It is my experience that most intermediate french horn players would be served well by not having to worry about practicing their lip flexibility studies above High G.Yes, I know you are eager to start popping out those high notes.I am not telling you to refrain from playing high notes, but regarding your flexibility, a lot of progress can be made with a variety of exercises that utilize the notes in the staff as you will soon find out.The exercises that follow are not a walk in the park either. There are some fun and decent challenges awaiting you here in Vol. 2. Read more