C# and Java are both good languages to start with, and very similar actually. Your main choice is which engine / framework to use. For instance: C#: Unity or Monogame. Java: LibGDX or Processing.
Unity: powerful, extensive, professional engine, with a lot of good documentation and tutorials. But also overwhelming when getting started, and high level (little control over what happens "under the hood").
Processing: a very simple, clear environment, that teaches you about programming while creating some nice interactive graphics. But not a professional tool that you can create full games with.
Monogame/LibGDX: good if you like working in a code-centered environment (instead of an editor), and if you want to have control over what happens under the hood. Professional tools, but more for experienced programmers, and it takes a lot longer to finish your first game (compared to Unity).
There are many more engines/frameworks, especially if you look outside of C#/Java. Which ones are you considering?
And what is it that scares you about sounds? There's nothing hard about downloading some free sounds or generating them with something like sfxr and playing them in your engine. (Of course real sound design is another matter...)