SUPERMANROB

Ok not sure if this is the place to ask but here goes. My daughter is taking music this year and she needs a trumpet(she wanted to play the Sax but it was to big for her ). I have no idea what to look for!
I can rent one for $20 a month but when I looked on line there are so many and you can get them for $150($20 X 10 months=$200).
So does anyone know what to look for(which to buy)? If there is a better place or other forum better to ask,please let me know. What a good online store to buy from or even B/M store(figure it would be cheaper on line)?

vballboy51

What age is she? its been a long time since i played the trumpet, but i know when i started (5th grade) we actually played the coronet. its a smaller trumpet, much more suited for children. when i got to high school i "graduated" to a trumpet.

also, if she really is interested in the sax, maybe clarinet would be a better choice? at least it uses the same reed idea instead of a whole different playing style. just a thought...

i'd never shy anyone away from playing the trumpet though, its the best!

FatTony

For an entry-level trumpet, $150 seems like about the right price. I'd definitely recommend buying over renting though. You may want to consult a local music shop or your daughter's potential music teacher for advice on brands and then try to find any of their recommended models online. You're definitely looking for a Bb ("B-flat") trumpet or cornet though. The cornet is slightly smaller in size and has a warmer tone than the more brassy sound of a trumpet, but they are otherwise played the same. You'll also need to pick up valve oil, slide grease, and a cleaning kit; none of these are terribly expensive, but they'll add to your startup costs.

Another cost to consider is lessons. I spent 7 years playing back in the day (6th grade through the end of high school) without a single lesson and never really got that good, though I was better than many of my peers. With lessons and proper guidance, I probably would have been much better.

Also, just to warn you, be prepared for her to give up playing at some point, possibly after only a few months. A lot of kids try out band and find it's not what they thought it'd be or they simply lose interest in it over the years. I almost quit right before high school but decided to give marching band a shot and it greatly renewed my interest and throughout high school, I spent four years in marching band, four in pep band, two in concert band, and two in jazz band (jazz was way more fun than concert, though this is where lessons would have made a significant difference). I did quit after high school and haven't touched my trumpet since the day I played at my graduation. I still enjoyed it, but didn't really see it being a focus in my life in college and beyond.

On the flip side, she may love it and want a more professional trumpet or a couple of additional mouthpieces after a few years, so there may be a significant added cost down the line. If memory serves, mouthpieces run about $50-60 apiece (I had 3, one of which came with the trumpet), and a mid-level trumpet will run quite a bit more expensive than the starter.

But if money's not an issue, then have at it! It's a lot of fun and the friendships I formed with many of my fellow band nerds have lasted me well into my adult life (including my partner of 11 years). I hope your daughter enjoys it as much as I did.

Oh, and you might want to invest in some earplugs. You're about to get very sick of hearing "Hot Cross Buns."

Hokeyboy

And if you have any animals in the house, make sure they're out of the house while she practices.

I know from experience that trumpets, clarinets, saxophones, and flutes will make German Shepherds cry out in pain and suffering.

Decadance

If she wants to go woodwind, I recommend getting her a starter clarinet. She can move from that to either a soprano, alto, or tenor sax. If she wants to go brass, I would recommend, if its a possibility, take her to a symphonic concert so she can her the different brass instruments. Not to type cast, but for some reason, I always found girls make much better french horn than trumpet players (the parts tend to me more musical and max up with the sax parts in the kiddie bands).

Cardsfan111

With beginning players, many humans have been known to cry out in pain and suffering under the same circumstances.

SUPERMANROB

Thanks everyone and she is in 6th(11) and took music. I know she picked the trumpet and it the whole year. I don't know if she gets tried of it,if she can change instruments mid-year? If so then maybe renting would be better? It just seems like it would be cheaper to buy a trumpet for $150 rather than renting one for $200?
Anyone know a good place to buy?

Superman07

For the life of me I can't remember why, but when I was in 5th grade I started out playing the flute (no, I wasn't the only guy!). I never really practiced and so by the time middle school rolled around I always found myself at the end of the section. Finally they had a gap and asked if anybody wanted to change over to tuba. Again, can't remember my thought process but I did so. Talk about a drastic change! Anyway, I stuck with that through high school, but took lessons for perhaps that entire time and kept improving. I eventually got into the top band and did well individually at sectionals or regionals (forget what it was called).

I do imagine that going from a reed instrument to a brass instrument would be easier though. I tried one once and it's quite difficult to bite down enough to get the propper sound while also allowing enough air to pass through the slit between the mouthpiece and reed.

You might be able to find something on craigslist. There are probably people with old ones sitting around if their kids dropped out or somebody who played and never went on after school.

wendersfan

This.

Superman07

Or Oboe and Bassoon.

Deadman31

she needs something bigger to learn how to blow.

Decadance

Sure she could, but the move from single reed to double reed is not as easy as you would think.

Funkpie

I'd probably start out with the rental, unless you know she won't quit right away. Otherwise, find a decent priced ($100-$150) previously owned trumpet that is in playable condition. If she sticks with it, move up to a mid-priced (~$500), previously owned trumpet so she won't get discouraged playing a pos for too long.

I recommend all parent's of young aspiring musicians to not jump in too deep with buying anything new, even new of the 'beginner' line, as those lines really have no resale value (like I said, pick up the used 'beginner' line from the other sucker who bought it new, and turned out junior didn't want to do it anymore. You'll save a bundle.) Then, if the youngster finds the skill is there and wants to develop it, then buy high end, but again used, equipment in that first jump. The high end stuff will have resale value that can be used to upgrade over the long haul.

ETA: I don't play trumpet (drums, keys), but we do have a flute, coronet, alto sax, and clarinet at the house. Anyway, what this guys says:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Trumpet-2...t-beginner.htm