highest note?

[Ryan_Beucke]

I agree with Bloke, those high notes are pretty useless unless they have a purpose. Nobody writes high F's in a solo just for the sake of playing high.

People (usually younger players, no offense, I still consider myself younger too) often put too much importance in playing really really high. However, to defend the practicing of high notes, you will see a lot of high Bb's and C's in solos, and some higher notes. If you want to have really really nice sounding Bb's and C's, practice up to your F's and G's. That way all of the notes you play sound effortless, not like they're at the end of your range.

To answer your original question, that's a fine range, higher than I would expect, but make sure that you don't get hung up on high notes.

[tjonp]

Also, how do these notes sound? You can't say "I can play a high F" unless you can play it with a good, clear tone (not pinched or strained).

[MaryAnn]

I guess I think there is value to developing as large a range as possible, with the plan of having it be a beautiful range down the road a piece. I'm still trying after 10 years of playing to get a consistent high C on my french horn, and will probably do a Hallelujah post if/when it occurs. I can sound really fine in the useable range I have, but sure would like to have found a teacher in the past who could have told me how to get it up there.

And, when you're learning an instrument, an atta boy now and then isn't a bad thing, you know. Atta Boy!

MA, who thinks range is easier on tuba than horn, despite the fact that it weighs more (for those of you who associate range with throwing arm)