Are there any serious differences between playing the trumpet and the french horn?

Question

My band director is in need of french horn players and he suggested that i transition from the trumpet to the horn, i was wondering if there are any serious differences between playing the two instruments.

Answer 1

No there Really Isnt A Difference between The Two.

The Only Big Difference Would Be Your Posture and How you Hold the Instrument. Also Your lips are Much tighter oppose to your lips being relaxed and loose on the trumpet. And whoever said that the French horn Mouthpiece is Much Bigger Is Wrong. The trumpet mouthpiece is Bigger.

The Good thing about switching from Trumpet To French Horn is You can Get away withplaying the same Keys. For instance..

F.Horn: D is first Valve. Trumpet: D is 1 and 3

On french Horn you could get away wiht playing 1 and 3 so you really dont have to change your fingerings that Much. But its good to know Both. Also you'll find that you dont need to Oil Your Valves as much as you do on a Trumpet. Also too you'll find yourself emptying your spit more often. But French horn usually does not have Spit Valves so you have to take the mouthpiece of and just spin it. After every time you play its a good idea to drain your spit before you put the instrument away because the water will build up and youll have this awful gurgling sound and its hard to drain. Its also a good idea to give it a bath once a month. Run some warm water and just let it sit in the tub for about an hour then just drain it like spit. But be sure to take the valves out. Remember it is okay to Play you Horn right after you put oil on your valves. Many people think it will back up into there mouths. Also i almost forgot that you put your right hand into the bell of the horn and cup your and to the side. If your tall you cna hold it onto your knee and relax it there or you can hold it up. Your Choice.

And by the way Whoever said the French Horn Sounds Like a Dog. Get A life!

Answer 2

You should talk to your band director. I'm one :) Ok, so yes, the horn is held with the right hand, and the valves are operated with the left hand. That is the opposite of the trumpet.



Occasionally, the horn will have a trigger for the thumb. This kind of horn is called a "double horn" (as opposed to the single horn).



With the horn, the right hand is placed in the bell, and used, in part, to help control pitch.



The horn mouthpiece is more conical, the trumpet is more cup shaped.



The trumpet is a cylindrical instrument (fundamentally speaking), while the horn is fundamentally a conical instrument, with much more tubing.



As a result of the extra tubing, and the conical shapes involved with the horn, the partials are a little more difficult to hit with precision. You will find that the first few weeks or months on the horn will present some challenges with placing the notes.



Also, be prepared for a little more "back pressure" when playing the horn. The bore of the mouthpiece is narrower, which means that less air is allowed into the instrument (all other variables remaining constant). As a result, you might have to exhale before inhaling again (you might already be used to this, but it will probably increase).



Yes, the horn is typically in F. The trumpet is often in Bb, but is also seen in A, C, D, etc. All of this is rather negligible, as you're going to be playing with a different hand anyway.



The transition is a challenge, but frankly worth it in my opinion. I think you will really enjoy the sound you will eventually produce with the horn.



If your director suggested it, it means that he sees your talent, and wants you there. I'm a director, and I wouldn't ask someone to make that switch if I didn't feel they were qualified. You should feel honored, regardless of what you decide.



Best wishes.

Answer 3

I've been playing french horn for almost 6 years now. My Dad and friend switched from trumpet to horn. You finger with your left hand. Some have three valves, some have four. The fourth or thumb key is optional fingerings to help with higher notes. Your right hand lays inside the bell to help the sound role up your arm instead of playing behind you. The french horn is in the key of F. The fingerings are the same for the note name, but french horn fingerings are an octave higher than trumpet. I had to learn this for marching band. French horn has a SMALLER mouthpiece. Believe me. A trumpet is considered a soprano instrument while french horns are considered altos.

In marching band, I play mellophone (played by french horn players) which uses trumpet fingerings. Playing trumpet first could be of an advantage to you.

Answer 4

i read all the replies and agree with some but not with others. i also played both and found the trumpet easier to play. one of the replies says to push the button when you have a higher note to play. another mentions that french horns have 4 valves. the standard f horn only has 3 valves. the e flat horn has another valve which i take it makes the higher notes a little easier to blow. i wouldn't know because i never played the e-flat horn. one thing is certain, the mouthpiece on the french horn is a bit smaller and i found it harder to play than the trumpet piece.



one other thing to know is that the fingering of the frenchhorn is totally different from any other brass instruments which are pretty much the same from trumpet to sousaphone. so...prepare to learn that from scratch if you go to the french horn. i really like the horn but there is a good reason for the belief that it is one of the more difficult instruments to learn and play.

Answer 5

Well, I play trumpet and little French horn. The trumpet is the cooler instrument but as you look into the future, there are a lot more openings for French horns as there are fewer of them. Colleges are always looking for horn player or mellophone players. Also it is easier to get into band festivals on horn than on trumpet. Trumpet players are generally the most competitive musicians in the band. Jazz music is not usually written for French horn however some big band stuff is written for mellophone.

Answer 6

french horn has 4 valves I believe instead of 3. Also French horn is in a different key, F maybe and trumpets Bflat... It is difficult to switch right away, because it's a lot harder to produce the correct partials then on trumpet. I think it is definitely doable with practice. If you ask me, trumpet is way more fun though!!!!

Answer 7

okay so i used to play trumpet but i switched to french horn, my band director said it takes a lot more air but i find it easier to play then the trumpet.

they do have different mouth pieces though. the french horns is shaped like a cone and notes above G you press the trigger button.

Answer 8

French Horn has a bigger mouthpiece. Also French Horn is usually in the scale of F,but can also be in the scale of B-flat but it is very uncommon. Trumpet, on the other hand, is in the scale of B-flat. French Horn is bigger and a lot heavier.

Answer 9

the only real difference is that on the french horn, the mouth piece is bigger and the button things are on the side. Also, trumpet is b flat, while french horn is i think f scale

Answer 10

french horn sounds like an animal (more specificly a dog) is crying while trumpet is more lively Don't switch

Answer 11

Yes and no. Actually making sound come from the instrument will be very similar. However, because they are different instruments, and are in a different key, playing actual music will require you to relearn, to some extent.

Answer 12

you hold it differently and it is in a different key (but that doesn't interfere with your playing) and the french horn may be a little more difficult, but no major differences

Answer 13

really the only difference is the playing position (the way you hold the horn) thats about it

Answer 14

Trumpets are scored in G clef , French horns are scored in either C clef or F clef

Answer 15

Yes..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUJMqVkSMh4