The Never Ending Debate of Cross-Training

  The problem for a lot of us horn players is that when we were young and first looking for an instrument to play in band, we choose the trumpet. The horn isn't usually offered, or even available, until junior high or high school which can make the transition over to the horn troublesome later. People don't want to give up an instrument that they've already put so much time into.

Is it possible to play multiple instruments?

  Yes, it's possible but it'll take a lot more time and commitment to get good at all of them. Look at performers like Tom Varner, and Jeff Stockham; they manage to do it, and most importantly, they do it well. Being a musician isn't about quantity, it's about quality.

  I'll be using a sports analogies, as they put a complicated subject like this into simpler terms. Let's say we have Bobby and he's really good at soccer but wants to get good at basketball. He's spent four years practicing soccer and doing camps, so he doesn't want to just give that up,  but he's always liked basketball more.

  There are some skills that will transfer between the two sports, such as good cardio and overall hand-eye coordination. On the other hand, Bobby will need to train his hands and arms instead of his feet and legs to handle the ball. The more time he spends working on his free throws will be less time he has to spend on soccer techniques. It isn't to say Bobby can't get very good at both, but he'll have to cut out other things to make time for both sports.

  This all very similar to what many trumpet players that want to switch over to horn deal with. I know many private teachers will want them to completely give up the the trumpet, but after spending a number of year working on it, it can be hard to feel like you're giving up on it. 

  Instead focus on those transferable skills. You can already read treble clef, you understand intonation, you can create a buzz, and you have developed breathe support. While the embouchure will need some change and air might require some fine tuning, you have already developed good skills from the trumpet that can be used to jump start you on the horn.

  Here we put the focus on the cross training of trumpet and horn, because it's a common issue. This problem can be seen all over though; there are no horns in marching band and you'll need to play the mellophone, and as saxophone players get older schools need oboes, English horns, and bassoons. If you do end up switching, just remember the positives and that change can be a very good thing. If I would have never given up the trumpet to play the horn, I have no idea where I'd be right now.

For more insight into this matter, check out this -- Horn Matters interview with Tom Varner and Jeff Stockham