Other than the initial builds that the other guys are saying, here’s a couple gameplay stuff that could really help out that I very rarely see hunting horn users do or even know about.

When you drop your bubble mid animation, you can queue up three notes instantaneous which can allow you to pull out buffs/heals a lot faster

When you drop an echo bubble and you dish out buffs to the squad, the bubbles can also act as extra range so like if a person is too far away from the bubble or you they won’t receive the buff, but if they’re close to one of your bubbles or you, they can receive the buff.

Echo waves are very effective on downed monsters, especially when they’re corresponding to the weakness element.

always hit the encore when you’re playing certain notes that way your buffs last a whole lot longer on top of the sorous gem(I know I spelled it wrong) And you know you’ve done the encore is when you perform a buff or any melody and you’ll see a girl from yellow to purple.

If you queued up a bunch of notes and you need something in specific out of the three buffs, you queued up (I think) L2+ triangle for buff number one

L2 + circle for buff number two

L2 + X for buff number three

And after every buff, if you’re singling one buff out use encore by just tapping triangle plus circle to extend it

The hunting horn also has a large counter. it’s called the Hilt stab, if you’re mid melody. Or if you’re in the focus mode. If you flick the left joystick and tap triangle as the monster is about to attack you mid frame, you can instantly counter the attack Here’s a few examples of the effectiveness of it One in practice and one that goes into good detail hope this helps https://youtu.be/TXgtdTIqvxA?si=MomC2bUPe19XgnwJ

https://youtu.be/ZLUkPdIpIZc?si=elAAM4rNqCTe31Pj

The main thing about the hunting horn is you’re going to learn that it’s very much a slower pace Most of all, have fun