My son has been learning trumpet nearly 2 years, he is about to sit grade 5 after scoring honours/high honours in all his exams.
His teacher teaches all brass, at what point is it a good time to introduce another of the brass family and which one is the best to choose and why?

I am assuming that it is good to take another up since most brass teachers teach more than their 1st study? I keep meaning to ask his teacher but dont ever find the time to discuss it.

I admit to being no brass player but I haven't heard of any student playing more than one. The main reason one would ever play more than one is to teach it, surely, and since (apart from french horn and trombone) all the basics are the same, learning an instrument well enough to teach early grades would not take an established player very long at all. I'd think his time would be far better spent learning piano if he doesn't already.

Liz

Yes, agreed, it would be much better to add another instrument of a different family entirely. He can continue trumpet too of course to whatever level suits. Find another teacher for the other new instrument.

The fact that he plays the trumpet means that he can also play the cornet and flugelhorn which is a huge advantage. The difference in the size of the mouthpiece does take some getting used to at first but it's no big deal.

My son is in a similar position and has just started teaching himself the guitar and can also pick out tunes on the piano.

I think you have to see what interests him. He may want to stick with the brass/woodwind family, in which case, don't be worried about his embouchure suffering. It won't.

The advice about piano is excellent. Even if he only takes it to a low level, it's very useful indeed to be able to play and read keyboard music. For example, he may want to experiment one day with composing for trumpet..duets etc. Understanding the keyboard makes this sort of thing soooo much easier.

Good luck,

Steve

Actually he wanted to try the trombone or the french horn so he must know that these 2 instruments are different. He is very curious about how the trombone works.

His 1st study is violin (grade 5) and he can play the piano but doesnt practise as he never gets a chance as his brothers are always on it. He messes on his electric guitar as one does and has taught himself about 6 chords. He can also pick out tunes on the piano and read both clefs on the piano although I have never taught him. I was going to start him on piano whilst he catches up with theory now that he will be sitting both his grade 5 this year and wont be able to sit any more exams until his g5 theory.

So the piano it is then and he can fiddle with other kids brass instruments for now.

Just curious does playing a wind instrument really not affect the brass embouchure

The usual consensus among orchestral horn players is that horn should not be mixed with other brass. The various sizes of trumpet (except bass), cornet and flugel horn are possible doublings, as stevensfo wrote. I would suggest getting mouthpieces with matching rims for these. I don't know if you can get screw attached rims on bodies of different sizes, as you can with horns.

Woodwind instruments don't interfere with a brass embouchure, but the trumpet may interfere with them, especially flute. Keyboard goes with anything, but if he wants another orchestral instrument, strings are a better choice than woodwind, IMO. Violas and double basses are still in demand.