It's rather quiet on here but hopefully someone will notice and be able to offer their opinion.
My son has a bottom level jupiter trumpet which he makes a fairly nice sound on. We are beginning to think about whether he may need a better trumpet in the future - he is about grade 5 now and is starting to play in a brass group and an orchestra.
At what sort of stage would he need to move onto another instrument? I'm going to ask his teacher today, but wondered whether others have some thoughts.
What difference does a 'better' trumpet make? Are higher notes easier - or is it actually harder?
What instrument would you recommend? He enjoys playing, but it's not his absolute passion, and while I think a decent imstrument is really important there is only so much money floating around.
Many thanks
Full Version: Trumpet Upgrade
Hi there!
If your son is G5 now, I assume you'll want to get him a trumpet that will see him to G8 and maybe beyond?
If so, the top-end Yamaha's are good value and so is the Bach Stradivarious (although, I think they're kinda difficult to get hold of new at the mo due to an on-going strike at the factory).
Better trumpets don't make high notes easier as a rule, but the intonation and tone will be much nicer. Student brass instruments are built to withstand a bit of abuse and neglect whereas 'pro' ones aren't.
If you shop about a bit, you should be able to find a better quality 2nd hand trumpet for the same money as a lesser good one - if you see what I mean. Go to a brass specialist, not your local music shop.
Google any of these:
Dawkes
John Myatt
Phil Parker
John Packer
Ideally, a place that has a selection to 'try before you buy' is well worth it.
If your son is G5 now, I assume you'll want to get him a trumpet that will see him to G8 and maybe beyond?
If so, the top-end Yamaha's are good value and so is the Bach Stradivarious (although, I think they're kinda difficult to get hold of new at the mo due to an on-going strike at the factory).
Better trumpets don't make high notes easier as a rule, but the intonation and tone will be much nicer. Student brass instruments are built to withstand a bit of abuse and neglect whereas 'pro' ones aren't.
If you shop about a bit, you should be able to find a better quality 2nd hand trumpet for the same money as a lesser good one - if you see what I mean. Go to a brass specialist, not your local music shop.
Google any of these:
Dawkes
John Myatt
Phil Parker
John Packer
Ideally, a place that has a selection to 'try before you buy' is well worth it.
[
Ideally, a place that has a selection to 'try before you buy' is well worth it.
[/quote]
I agree, go somewhere with a selection of favourite music and take some time trying different models. I personally love the older Yamahas but am not overkeen on the Xenos. Other players I know rave about them.
I went mad a few years ago and bought a Yamaha professional model soprano cornet 6610 (predecessor to the Xeno) which replaced my ancient Besson and couldn't believe how much easier it was to play, and how much sweeter it sounded.
Happy shopping, hope this helps a little
Ideally, a place that has a selection to 'try before you buy' is well worth it.
[/quote]
I agree, go somewhere with a selection of favourite music and take some time trying different models. I personally love the older Yamahas but am not overkeen on the Xenos. Other players I know rave about them.
I went mad a few years ago and bought a Yamaha professional model soprano cornet 6610 (predecessor to the Xeno) which replaced my ancient Besson and couldn't believe how much easier it was to play, and how much sweeter it sounded.
Happy shopping, hope this helps a little
My son's just done this. He took his G6 in the summer (and got a merit) and we went along to our local trumpet shop and he tried lots 
and we ended up with a Bach Strad. We took the trumpet teacher as well (thank heavens). Bach Strads seem very popular, one of son's friends has one too. Son says it's easier to play the Bach - he had a Yamaha 4335 before (well he still has it for taking on swing band trips to foreign lands).
There may be a possibility of getting the VAT off if you're part of a school or county music set up. Look into it before you buy.
and we ended up with a Bach Strad. We took the trumpet teacher as well (thank heavens). Bach Strads seem very popular, one of son's friends has one too. Son says it's easier to play the Bach - he had a Yamaha 4335 before (well he still has it for taking on swing band trips to foreign lands).There may be a possibility of getting the VAT off if you're part of a school or county music set up. Look into it before you buy.
I have a Jupiter cornet, and if their trumpets are similar to their cornets, then upgrading at Grade 5/6 level is probably a really good idea!!!! 
I was lucky enough to learn on a Holton T602 - fantastic beginner model trumpet and it took me to about Grade 8 level until I felt I needed to upgrade. I still use it as a spare trumpet!
Personally, I now have a Schilke B5, which I absolutely LOVE - but they're fairly pricey! (And not ideal for orchestral playing if your son is heading in that direction!).
A lot of players like Bach Strads - but some of these can be of poor quality - they are now factory made rather than hand made. A cheaper (and better in my opinion) alternative is a B&S Challenger II. They are basically Bach Strad copies, but are still hand made rather than machine built. Really good quality instruments... and cheaper than a Bach Strad!
If you can, take a trip to Phil Parker's in London. They're super friendly and helpful there and will let your son try out trumpets endlessly to find one he likes.
I was lucky enough to learn on a Holton T602 - fantastic beginner model trumpet and it took me to about Grade 8 level until I felt I needed to upgrade. I still use it as a spare trumpet!
Personally, I now have a Schilke B5, which I absolutely LOVE - but they're fairly pricey! (And not ideal for orchestral playing if your son is heading in that direction!).
A lot of players like Bach Strads - but some of these can be of poor quality - they are now factory made rather than hand made. A cheaper (and better in my opinion) alternative is a B&S Challenger II. They are basically Bach Strad copies, but are still hand made rather than machine built. Really good quality instruments... and cheaper than a Bach Strad!
If you can, take a trip to Phil Parker's in London. They're super friendly and helpful there and will let your son try out trumpets endlessly to find one he likes.
Many thanks for all your imput. We know Phil Parker's as that is where we bought his mouthpiece. I think I will talk to his teacher and try and persuade him to come with us as I don't know what I'm looking at and as my son is only 11 he may not be certain either! He has just started secondary school and is feeling a bit ovewhelmed as he has a place in a small brass group ensemble and in orchestra as well as all the usual new secondary school stuff, but in the new year I think we may have to go shopping.
I agree that trying things out is very important, and that the best to buy is what feels best to him. I got a new trumpet last year, and played about everything in the shop! I ended up with a Yamaha 6335 which I love (I preferred a few others, but they were, of course, about $4000 out of the price range 
).
It's always great to get an upgrade, and it really helps. I was amazed at how differently some of the horns played, and chose my Yammie based on how open it seemed in the Upper Register to me.
Best of luck in the search!
).It's always great to get an upgrade, and it really helps. I was amazed at how differently some of the horns played, and chose my Yammie based on how open it seemed in the Upper Register to me.
Best of luck in the search!
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