The French horn has a rich history, dating back to late 16th century Germany. The original, rudimentary design allowed hunters to carry horns over their shoulders while riding horseback. By the 17th century, the horn had made it's way into musical performances. By the 18th century, movable crooks and hand-stopping were in use to create different keys and sounds. The valved horn appeared early in the 19th century, leading to our modernized versions of single and double horns.
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