Why is the french horn left handed?

Answer 1

The modern horn descends from ancient hunting horns that looked like the modern horn without the complicated tubing or valves. Playing would be similar to playing the modern horn without using the keys. You could still change pitch with your embouchure, but there were many gaps where certain notes could not be played. The reason the bell faced backwards was so the player could change the pitch with his hand, and since most people are right handed they continued to keep the right hand as the one in the bell, even after valves were developed.

Answer 2

In a nutshell, it was originally used a hunting signal. so the leader of the hunting party would spot the animal and blow the horn (which pointed behind him) alert the other hunters without scaring off the animal. (which was ahead of him)

Answer 3

In a sense, yes. The french horn is the only instrument (that I'm aware of) that can be played solely with the left hand. All other instruments require the use of both hands.

However, horns are made for both hands. The right hand is placed inside the bell to hold it up (if the player chooses to hold it off the knee), to mellow the sound and adjust the pitch. If I was playing and I chose to take my right hand out, it would suddenly sound sharp as well as bright. These things could be compensated through adjusting the tuning slides as well as lowering the jaw and tongue to give the tone a darker quality.

Plus, I'm right handed and I can play the horn just fine. Nearly all instruments are played in identical fashions by left handed and right handed people. The only exception I can think of would be Guitars, which are manufactured differently for left-handed users.

Hope this helps! =)