I love the trumpet and I m considering learning however at the ripe old age of 32 I really wonder - will I be any good? / Is it worth starting? etc, especially when most good players start at the age of 7, 8, 9 or 10 etc (in other words - really early)
What do you think?

Regards - Chris

Hi !
I`m 30 years old and I stardet to play trumpet in december. Many people heve told I`m learning well, so I don`t thing you are too old. Maybe you will never be like Miles Davis, but shure you`ll enjoy plaing trumpet!!
Good luck

Hi Chris,
You can learn trumpet!! When they plant you in the ground, that`s when you stop learning in life.

If you have played some musical instrument at some stage earlier, it will help. Having your own front teeth will help as well, although I know some pro players who have dentures (but few and far between).
There are a lot of bands out there for brass players, and you don`t have to be a pro to enjoy playing.

If you want to make a living from it, well that`s another story. That is probably not a reality. But to play, enjoy the sound and making friends who enjoy the same hobby, it is good.

If you want to play, get a cheap 2nd hand horn, 7C mouthpiece and a practice mute, and go see a brass music teacher. there are many beginner books to get you started, but a teacher can see you, and give you quick guidance. It will take about 12 months of practice to get a 2+ octave range and sound, but if you want to play, then get started. It will be hard work, but like all things in life what you put into it, you get out of it.
Go for it!!

Hey Chris,
I forgot to mention some advice as well...

Don`t get too obsessed with the range. Concentrate on a good tone when you start. Range will come as your muscles get used to playing. There`s a lot of rubbish on web sites about how high people play after 1 or 2 years playing. You can do a lot of silly things to squeak a sound out the end of the horn, but a nice full tone sound is what you want to chase when you start off (keep air free, and keep arm muscles from pushing too hard into your teeth). Practice 20 mins and have a 15 minute break, then repeat. Enjoy it!!! .

I say go for it. Most people dont start trumpet before 11 or 12. I enjoy playing my trumpet. Most people say you can never be to old to start an instrument. If you work at it you`ll be good in no time.

I hope you learn the trumpet good luck!!

I agree with those guys. I started the month I turned thirty, just over three years ago, and I`ve now been leadinig my own successful band for about a year. So get that horn out every day and get some air through it!

No you are never too old to start any type of instrument.
I started the trumpet When I was 9 then I started the piano when I was 17. I stared the Flute at 18 and I started the clarinet two weeks ago, mind you I`ll be 23 in 2.5 months. And I`m saving up for a violin.

WHat method books did you / or do you use to learn to play?

I played in high school but stopped for a few years. I`m 29 and buying my new horn soon to start again.

For the record Miles Davis quit playing for 10 years during the 70`s and started again.

Go for it. You`ll have a blast (pun intended).

Same here, I played for 3 grade up to 11th grade. Then moved on to other things. None musical. I regret. I bought a NEW TO ME Getzen 300 student model off of ebay. Two weeks ago. And I have been playing steadily every since. That has been two weeks already. And I love it. II have bough several books, John Kinyon, 1 & 2 and Hal Leonards Learn to Play Trumpet Today 1 & 2 and they coem with accomapny CDs and play along songs as well as Teacher on CD. I have found the Teacher on CD is awesome for a frame of reference- and also- There is NO QUESSTION if I am hitting a note correctly as all of the notes are played out on the CD as you learn them.

I must say- the John Kinyon is a good start as a refresher- BUT it sucks as there are not many tunes and songs in it. I nee to play stuff I like to hear in order to stay motivated.

I used to be able to whale on the high notes- but if I recall that took years of good hard practice.

Yvonne
YvoHath@wmconnect.com

Hi- anyone that has any sheet music on their computer or has any really good trumpet playing help, tips, or insight- Please post `em here http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/PlayTrumpetGetSheetMusic/ This is not a place to BUY SELL OR TRADE NO SPAMMERS. Looking for knowledgable mature people to contribute.

I see that a few postings ago somebody asked about method books and the question wasn`t exactly answered.
Anyway I use the Yamaha Band Student Method because those books are self explanatory. Therefore good to teach oneself or jump ahead with.
If you have a teacher then I reccommend Breeze Easy or Rubank. Those books have some pretty deeps stuff and really require a teacher to explain everything.
So it depends upon your current situations and/or desires.
Hope this helps

You are never too old. it will especially take up your time in prison. Being locked up for 50 years gets boring so I started to play Last year. I am 85 and love it

wow! u r 85! that`s soooo cool. what did u do 2 get in prison? u are my idol.

well young fart I killed my bathtub. I blew it up. I bet you can`t guess how Kaboom!!!! (