Hi everyone.

I`m so glad I`ve stumbled upon this forum, even after reading a few of the posts it seems that everyone is quite well informed.

I`m interested in learning how to play the Trumpet but, as a guitarist (I`m sure you`ve all got a joke about that), I know next to nothing about:

1). What kind of trumpets there are
2). The various playing methods/styles
3). How to go about learning (tutors, practicing, etc.)

So, if YOU were gonna learn the trumpet starting fresh, what would you have done differently? I haven`t even got myself a trumpet yet, how much should I expect to pay?

Any advice for a complete novice starting up GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thanks for your time.

Freddie.

ok there are a bunch of kinds... if you want a studet trumpet yahama makes some good ones.....or you can go for their more expensive the xenon(spelling???) that one is around 1800-2300$ depends where yah go.. Bach trumpets are a lil overrated sometimes..so yah..
Any ways about the lessons and learning part go to your local music store and pick up an ARBANS(sp??) book basically the trumpet bible. While you are there ask them about lessons, alot of the time they can hook you up.
Now about the technique of playing.... I can`t really explain all that well in to little of time or space but there are some really really good sites online that can help you. ie: Emboucher, tone, sound, how to produce the sond:P ex.. any ways I hope this helps some
Any questions I`m glad to answer just email me and I will help as much as you need .... anyways gotta go to work ttyl ----linds

My son started a few years ago and has made a lot of progress. His teacher uses `Trumpet Basics` - John Miller, and I also bought `Abracadabra Trumpet` because the clarinet version was so good.
Don`t rush into choosing a teacher. Try and contact other players and ask around. Like every profession, there are good ones and bad ones, old-fashioned types and modern.
I don`t know much about makes, other than Ebay are full of cheap trumpets. I`ve heard mixed reports about the cheap imports from India and China, though I do believe that Taiwan is producing excellent saxophones now! Again, ask around.

Good luck,
Steve

Cheers for the replies people!

I feel that I`m venturing into the right direction.

I don`t want to spend too much - after all, I might loose interest in a couple of years!

You both mentioned books - could you perhaps elaborate a bit more and provide ISBN details?

Another thing that has puzzled me, although I think it`s probably quite minor. Say I want to try out a trumpet in a music store...will I need to provide my own "lip piece" (or whatever those things are called)? Are "lip-pieces" something that you buy with a trumpet or an item that can vary depending on playing style, etc.?

I`ll have to take a look at Yamaha.

Thanks again.

Freddie.

Freddie,
If you decide you don`t like the trumpet, you can always sell it. The re-sale value depends on the make. With makes like Yamaha, you`ll never have a problem, so best to save up and buy a decent model. Also, make sure you buy second hand. Trumpets last for many decades and a bit of valve oil works wonders.
The mouthpiece should be included. There are differences, but you shouldn`t worry about this. My son was given a narrower mouthpiece to try by his teacher, but I didn`t notice a big difference.
But please talk to teachers about this. It may feel strange contacting a complete stranger to ask them advice, but believe me, most teachers will feel a twinge of pleasure that someone has asked them what they think. Just call the switchboard of all the local schools/colleges/universities, or use internet and contact these guys!
Steve

Get on eBay and buy one of the many OLDs Ambassador trumpets you see (1965 or older). They`re the best student trumpets ever made. In-fact some custom horn makers use these older models to create pro custom horns. Totally agree with Arabans as well.

Get a horn, start practicing - And welcome to the awesome world of trumpet playing!

Makes of trumpet:
Beginner or very experienced semi-pro, it is best to stay with American-made horns. Horns made in India and almost everything from Asia are hard-blowing, tinny, unreliable, and the list goes on... There is a pocket trumpet (you may not know about these yet...very small and compact, useful say, for a commercial plane pilot who travels every day) that are made in Asia and are marked Jupiter (American company) that do really play well and in fact my local music teacher uses one.
Bach makes reliable trumpets with good tone. Their "Bundy" "TR200" or "TR300" are quite adequate to learn. Other American companies are Holton, Leblanc, Martin, Conn and the now-defunct Olds company make good horns. Prices range all over the board, starting at $80 for a beat-up but quite possibly very playable horn(used of course).
I specialize in restoring horns by King, Schilke, Benge, Conn, Olds, Bach, Kanstul, Martin to name a few. On ebay look for my company "alaskaproh". My Ohio store, where all the hard work is done uses the webb site www.borodimusic.com. Together we produce large quantities of brass and woodwinds. Our customers range all over the world, mostly in the more prosperous countries like Germany, Britain, Australia, Canada, Japan and now China is cranking up. 95% of our sales are USA, however. Another way we specialize is that we spend a lot of time talking with our customers on what they are playing, and what they need, including mouthpieces. A fine mouthpiece (not necessarily all that expensive, but the one that is just right for you) make a fair horn good and a good horn a great one. Just contact me if I can help. Malcolm Ray at Alaska Pro Brass. E-Mail pacrim@ak.net