What is the difference between trumpet and French Horn?
Trumpet:
The trumpet has about 4.5 feet of tubing.
The trumpets valves are played with the right hand.
The Trumpet's first Concert Bb that is on the bottom of the staff starts on the 2nd partial of the overtone series. (see below)
The hand not fingering the trumpet holds up the instrument.
The trumpets bell faces forward.
The trumpet overtone series
French Horn:
French Horns have about 12-16 feet of tubing. This means that a French Horn is almost as long as three trumpets! it is even longer than a trombone fully extended.
The French Horn's valves are played with the left hand.
The French Horn's concert Bb that is the same pitch of the trumpets low C starts on the 6th partial for the french horn. As a result the french horn's most common range includes partials that are much, much closer together.
The Hand not holding the instrument goes into the bell to produce the correct tone and assist in tuning.
When held properly the french horn's bell faces backwards.