My First Horn Experience
The French Horn was not my first choice of instrument. I remember the first day of sixth grade in band class. We were selecting our instruments, and we got them on a first come first serve basis. I was certain I wanted the trumpet, but I was one of the last in line to get a school instrument. The director, Mr. Curtis, told me that I could try the French Horn because it played a lot like a trumpet and it had the same note fingerings, so I could switch later if I wanted. Turns out that wasn’t true.
The French Horn plays nothing like a trumpet, and it doesn’t have the same fingerings (technically it does, but that is a long story). The point is, I had to play an instrument I didn’t like because there weren’t any other trumpets available, and my parents couldn’t afford one for me. So I took it.
After I played for a while, it was actually pretty fun. The trumpets were making sounds better than I was at first because it is difficult to make a quality sound on a French Horn. But over time, I got better and eventually took lessons to improve faster.
Looking back, I’m glad Mr. Curtis didn’t have any trumpets left for me. I love the horn; the sound, the look and the amount of work it requires to play well. I wouldn’t trade my experiences from playing my instrument for anything in the world. I’ve made friends and enjoyed many opportunities because I was a French Horn and Mellophone player, and I don’t think it would have been as great for me if I got to pick the trumpet.