Definition

Noun: A musician who plays a horn, especially a French horn. A hornist is a person skilled in performing music on a brass instrument of the horn family.

Usage

The word "hornist" is used to specify a person's profession or primary musical role. It is a more precise term than a general "musician" when referring to someone who plays a horn. - She is the principal hornist for the city's symphony orchestra. - The piece was written for a solo hornist and string quartet.

Advanced Usage

• The term is most commonly associated with players of the modern double horn, which is often simply called the French horn.
• In historical or specialized contexts, a "hornist" could refer to a player of natural horns or other horn variants (e.g., Wagner tuba), though the player might be specified as a "natural hornist."

Variants and Related Words

• French hornist (n): A more specific term for a player of the French horn. While "hornist" often implies this, "French hornist" removes any ambiguity.
  • The orchestra is seeking a new French hornist.
• Horn (n): The instrument itself.
• Horner (n): An archaic term for a horn-player or a maker of horns.

Synonyms

• French horn player: The most common and direct synonym.
• Horn player: A slightly more general term that could also encompass players of other horns (e.g., English horn, which is a woodwind instrument, so context is key).

Related Phrases

• Principal hornist: The lead horn player in an orchestra or band, responsible for playing solos and leading the horn section.
• Section hornist: A horn player who is a member of the horn section but is not the principal player.

Noun

1. a musician who plays a horn (especially a French horn)