Hello all,

I am looking to pick up a new instrument, something compact either an alto sax or a trumpet (I am a guitarist at the moment but have parted company with it for a few months since Im at uni and you don't exactly stick out in the crowd being a guitarist)
Im considering the trumpet or the sax, mainly I want to try the trumpet but I learnt the clarinet when I was younger so I know I will be able to at least make a sound on the sax. Plus I have very little money and cheaper(/cheap) trumpets seem cheaper than cheap sax's.
So, what do you all think I should learn, my heart says trumpet but my brain says saxophone. Also what type of budget instrument should I buy? (and i mean with a REALLY low budget)

I chose sax and I'm not complaining one bit.

The real question is: What do YOU want to learn? Is the trumpet or sax going to be a problem after a few weeks of playing? Are you going to not "feel" the instrument when you play, in other words, have the music move you by playing the instrument? Even still, you may get sick of one or the other, but then return to it like picking up a conversation with an old friend (I just recently found the joy in playing my clarinet again). What it all comes down to is you. You may feel pressure from your individual feelings, but if possible, try out a friend's instrument, or ask a band director for advice on what they think your strong points are.

well, thanks very much thats a very good point, i shall think about it more... taa

Remember that you have to buy reeds for saxophone fairly often and they get expensive! Paid nearly $30 for a box of 5 reeds the other day.

Trumpet you don't really have to buy a lot of stuff for.

If it were me, I'd go trumpet.

As far as cheap goes, I'd see if I could borrow one from my school. After a while if you still liked it I would then consider a cheap one. Just don't buy one from Walmart or Sam's Club. At least do WWBW.

thanks very much for the advice!!

trumpet would be the easyest for you to lern considering you already lerned the clarenet. heres why: there in the same key b flat. they play the same notes all you would have the do is lern about playing on a brass mouth piece and lerning the fingerings. i play trombone and i taught myself to play trumpet in two days it is very easy to lern. you may find out in a couple of months of playing that you have "jesus lips" and can play really high (it's a natural abillity )and you could be a big star. if you decide to play sax listen to all diferent typs (alto tenner or barrie) and find one you like the best. but i would higly sugjest you play trumpet. by the way you can go to a music stroe and find a used trumpet a hole lot easyer and cheaper than a sax.
here is some help if you chose trumpet
http://www.trumpetstudio.com/scales/Allfinger.pdf
good luck

I would go with saxophone. I play both trumpet and saxophone so I can give some good advice. The reason I say saxophone is because saxophone is much easier to learn and to master. Trumpet takes a long time to learn how to play and requires a lot of chop building. Saxophone is much easier to obtain good tone and range on. I personally enjoy playing trumpet more, so if you are willing to put in the work, i find it to be more fulfilling. Saxophone is just so much more user friendly. Good luck

well, thankyou very much all, and thanks for the advice on used trumpets!!