Advice For A Primary Instrument

I'm already 17, and I'm stuck in a position I should have gotten past by now. I play almost every instrument well, but not quite well enough to get into a conservatory of music. I'd most likely be good anough at any if I focused on just one for a year. I'm not sure which one to go with though. I was to major in music education so that I'll have a much easier time getting a steady income, and I was hoping I could get in by submitting a composition, however, I found out that it is necessary for me to play an instrument as well.

As of right now, I'm torn between euphonium and french horn being my favorite, although since I mentioned euphonium first, that's probably my real preference. The problem is, there aren't nearly as many gigs available for euphonium players. French horn is also more difficult to master and would present more of a challenge (which is something I always look for), and is more varied in style capabilities. I've already gotten paid to play trumpet, but I don't enjoy it so much. I've played guitar the longest, but I don't really like to associate myself with the other guitarists (mainly if they do drugs or smoke), and I'm not really sure what kind of stuff I'd have to learn for a guitar audition yet.

I realize that this is a decision that nobody can make for me, but I was just wondering if anyone had any advice, or their own opinions to share. I play many other instruments that I could possibly get in on, too, but those are the ones that are most likely to be my choice. Thanks.

I personally would say horn, because it seems to me as if it would have more opportunities. I think it would be more fun to play that than the euphonium, and with horn you have more options.

You know, that's what I thought at fist too. I realize now, though, that it seems better to take a risk and go with what is truly enjoyable when nobody else is judging me than to play what has the most options along with it. The euphonium just fits me somehow. I love it because it's more uncommon than most band instruments, it plays low but not too low, and it has this sort of power that isn't overbearing. I love that the piston valves allow for faster movement than rotary valves, and I find it much easier to read bass clef notes (despite that my first ten years or so of music was all played on treble). I'm also one of those girls that try to sing alto in choir year after year, only to find, less than a week later, that I need to sing tenor. It just seems like a more suitable range both vocally and instrumentally, and, although the french horn can play any note the euphonium can, the euphonium doesn't go higher than I can sing (unless you're a freak who can squeak unusually high notes). When the right songs are played, like the one we just got in symphonic band today, there are super cool euphonium solis and solos. That was a lot of rambling that wasn't even divided into paragraphs, sorry. More opinions would gladly be accepted though.

Yea, actually both are good choices, euphonium is an important, yet underused band instrument. ^^

Good luck with whatever decision you make! :)

Go with the Euphonium that's what I play and it hasn't failed me yet.

Euphonium is definitely the easier of the two. I learnt it in 2 weeks. I can't even get a note out of the french horn xP

"learnt" being a personal usage of the word there :laugh:

I suggest Euphomium, but obviously keep practising the other instruments.

Fewer people play the Euphomium, i'd suspect, and alot of brass band writers do include great parts for it.

But go with what you feel is right.

Yeah, I get the same with the guitar thing, except I just don't like to associate myself with it because I don't feel it's a proper classical instrument.

I know that's quite a single minded view etc, but its still one I hold.

'Learnt' being learnt to the standard at which I could play it to the standard to be able to play in any band. I already played trombone, so I knew how to blow it properly, for want of a better word xP. It's much easier than trumpet anyway.

Yeah, well, I can easily play notes on the french horn, but I like the euphonium a lot more. As for numbers, I'm in a lot of bands, and there are 5 french horn players and six euphonium players, including myself in each. I always keep up every instrument that I play, and that's my problem. I'm planning on just focusing on euphonium, because I know that, despite that I'm better at trumpet, I just can't play trumpet for 9 more years or more. I love playing euphonium right now, though, and we are playing a song that has at least three baritone solis in it, so it's awesome. I'm also a guitar player who chooses not to associate themself with the instrument for the same reason. Funny thing, I've been playing guitar for 14 years. Since I'm only 17, that would, of course, be my first instrument. I still play horn in one band, but it's frustrating. I don't want to be playing it, although I made it to honor band on it so am stuck in that band as well, so I just get all frustrated. Then we go to play and I get so annoyed to myself that I start singing stuff in my head. Lately I've been listening to Kamelot more than anything, and my third favorite song is the haunting, which has horn parts in the beginning, and so I end up playing, lol. It's pretty sad when a synthesizer is the only thing that keeps you playing in a band. Euphonium's been good to me though, always.

The Euphonium is a sacred tool of infinite power, and to continue on it would take consideration to the finest degree. You may not be ready for this, young padawan, choose wisely...

Sorry, I lost control ^^

Hmm... and did you stop by just because this is where I said I was? lol. Lost control? Since when is that losing control? No other choice is wise, so either there is no wise choice, or this IS the wisest choice. Lol... If I were still a trumpet player who plays euphonium in one of the bands, I'd tell you right now that I'm gonna get better than you and be the one euphonium playing the 'one baritone' parts of the 'solis.' I am not a trumpet player anymore (by choice), however, and my actual view is that I'd want the part assuming I could play it, but I don't honestly think I could get better than you by the end of the year. Sadly, I don't think my tone could ever compare. I might learn the fingerings of unusual key signatures better, but even that would be surprising.

Yoda's so awesome. D'ya know I have an electronic one? He talks to me when I fight my cat with my lightsaber. Of course, I never touch him, I just let him grab it and occasionally hit the floor beside him if he lays down, lol. Dueling is better with people (like my cousin and I, and occasionally my dad used to), well, except for the young kids around here, who can barely hold even a plastic lightsaber. Sheesh, I was a a stronger kid than that! Okay... and I'm getting carried away with my obsession of lightsabers. It's a good thing you didn't remind me of swords. GAH! and then.. the gun argument... which i won't get into.

k, i'm done, lol.