How do I notate a french horn dynamic sound

[andyjh]

 I'm using the French Horn DYN patches, but what would a horn player expect to see on the score (Sibelius) to indicate that he has to play a semibreve as a dynamic, is a Crescendo adequate? as I need a dynamic tonal brightness increase as well as volume, or is volume and brightness increase tied together with a french horn?

 Can a french horn play loud and mellow, or is loud always bright? Something to do with hand mute?

I've got too many virtual french horn players and no real ones to ask!

[Manuel.Roesler]

Loud and mellow is of course possible as is still and bright, although increased loudness often goes with a "brassy" sound. It also depends on what instrument you choose: the viennese horns sound more metallic if played loud than the Yamaha horns. I understand, that you want your music to be played by a real horn player? Most "real" musicians are quite adapt to produce the sound you want just by looking at their part. I worked with an american french horn player a few years ago: he looked at the score, said "I know which sound you want!" and just played marvelous. The optimal solution would be to ask the musician to produce the sound you want to hear.

[andyjh]

 Thanks for that, I'll leave it as a crescendo mark, and leave the rest to the players.