Trumpet versus French Horn?

Question

I have always loved the way a French horn sounds and have been toying with the idea of learning one at the probably too late age of 35. A few questions:
1) Should I get a trumpet instead? I heard they are a lot easier and I like the sound of them too
2) Is it possible to be self taught on these instruments?
3) Which would you pick and why?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Trumpet is easier than french horn, but they share certain similarities. A trumpet will be cheaper than a french horn and easier to teach yourself. The french horn has more tricky registers and intervals to figure out that can be challenging even for more experienced players. Although french horn purists will rebel against this, many trumpet players later switch or dabble in french horn. :) I say, if you can afford a french horn and lessons, great, but if you want something less expensive to just have fun with, start out with trumpet and see where it takes you!

Answer 2

Assuming that you like the sound of both instruments the same, then it's really down to how willing you are to play, and how much you're willing to spend for an instrument. A trumpet is about $200 for a reasonably good beginner trumpet, while a French horn is at least $800 for a good beginner one.
Also, it depends on what type of music you want to play. The trumpet usually has tunes, but while French horn might play a harmony part most of the time, they have a much larger collection of solo pieces, and very fun pieces. Some of the greatest music is written for the French Horn, including Pirates of the Caribbean, and Star Wars (Both written by John Williams who happened to love French horns).
I found both as hard/easy as each other. French horn I found much more comfortable to play and you can tune easily with your hand in the bell. It is easier to play a larger range (I found), because it was easier to play low, and high notes. The downside, is the fact that you can play the wrong note a lot, because there are so many notes that can be played with the same fingering. This is something you can get over as you get a good ear for the music.
The Trumpet didn't have the accuracy problem of the French horn, but playing it upright is sometimes tiring, and often you have to change your embouchure to change the tuning. The problem with the Trumpet, is that it is hard to play low and high notes. Low, because they sometimes come out very wobbly, and high, because you have to put lots of pressure onto your mouth which hurts, and if you don't blow fast enough, they will sound airy and pinched. It is easier to get accurate though with the notes.
Personally, I enjoy the French horn more, as it might be a challenge, but i love the fun pieces you can play, and the beautiful melodic mellow sound it produces.
It is however your choice, and you should test each one out to see which you like better.

Answer 3

French horn is a much better instrument. Horn is harder to learn and control than a trumpet and young band music is going to have much better parts for the trumpet players. However I think it is worth it. Whoever said the horn is subtle is very wrong. Think of every kickass piece of movie music. That was a horn. Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Imperial March has a horn solo half way through, and many others. High school band music has some really great horn parts that many trumpets would probably envy.

Answer 4

neither will be easy to learn on ur own however trumpet would be easier and cheaper however horn is just a much better instrument in either case i would recommend buying an electronic tuner and learning to read it properly to see if you are playing the right pitch
for trumpet written C should register as a Bb on the tuner
for horn written C will register as an F

If ur gonna teach urself get a trumpet, honestly unless ur really talented i don't think you will make it that far on horn without some kind of instruction
If you kind find someone to help you I would suggest horn just because it is such a better instrument than trumpet. If you do this get urself a Holton 177 or 179 and learn using only the Bb side (trigger down) after about 8 months then start using the F horn side as well. U will learn much faster this way

Answer 5

1) Yes, definitely get a trumpet. It would be extremely hard to play french horn without being able to play a trumpet first. The switch would be easy after that.
2)It is possible, but it will be hard. Get a beginnier's book. I reccommend Essential Elements 2000.
3)I like the sound of french horns more than trumpets, but like I said, you need to start on a trumpet.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I am 13 and I play the upright string bass in school band, but I am in a lesson group with french horns, and one trumpet. The french has a very nice sound, but it is hard to get into the right octave and blow enough air.The trumpet is eaiser to play but has a more of a jazz like sound. I sugest you start on trumpet and move to french horn.

Answer 7

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as a beginner, trumpet is easier to control. somebody already covered trhe versatility of trumpet (used in marching, concert, & jazz). horn players are more needed at the professional level and horn players are more likely to get scholarships in college. many of my friends play both, so you could concieveably start on trumpet then add horn later.

Answer 8

I was a huge band person back in the day. I played flute, piccolo, tenor & alto sax and was getting into baritone. But I always loved the sound of a French horn. Its sounds was so regal! I would pick the French horn.

Answer 9

trumpets are much easier -- I swear a monkey could learn that. However, french horns are beautifula and if you know the drive and a little talent, you can do it alone. I played for years..... hard to get your mouth to take playing for very long at first (puckering gets tiring believe it or not!) but the longer you play the better you get. They are costly however if that matters. Try renting both from a music staore and see how you like 'em

Answer 10

Trumpet! If you get really good at it, you could eally get into pop music---nobody would come listen to you play a French Horn!