Hello all

first post here. I am in the last few months of my 20's and have been harbouring a desire to learn a brass instrument for quite a while...just wish I'd actually done something about it by now!

Using this as some sort of motivating factor, I want to buy/hire an instrument and get going.

I am not totally unmusical as I play the guitar and bass and a little bit of drums. However, I know that brass is a different kettle of fish.

I would like to play modern styles (jazz, pop!? etc) and I think my basic instinct is that I would like to start the trumpet.

I would be really grateful if you all could offer me some advice on whether the trumpet would be good to start with or whether I should consider another instrument...also, any other things to consider about starting lessons, buying an instrument etc and any other valuable points you have picked up from your experiences would be great.

Thanks in advance and look forward to reading your replies.

I think trumpet is a good start, as the notes are easier to strike than say, a cornet, or euphonium. In my experience, pitching on these has always been a bit mushy Trumpet is also very versatile, for example through Jazz and Pop.

Definitly have some lessons, I consider it important to get a good low pressure embouchure from the start.

Hopefully someone else can help you a bit better than I have!!!

Good luck.

If you want to play pop or jazz, then go for trombone or trumpet.

Iwould suggest you talk to a brass teacher/player who could advise you as to how to produce a sound, and who also might have access to both instruments.
Try asking in your local music shop.
You might well find one of the instruments easier to produce a sound on than another.

In my personal experience, at the age of 11, I had a burning desire to play the horn and that's what I did!!
At the end of the day you can do it.
Go for what you want.......but "beg/steal or borrow" one to try first, or hire one.
Don't buy something on a whim!!

The world need more brass players!!

If you're only interested in jazz and contemporary pop music, trumpet and trombone are equally good. To cover the widest range of types of music, the trombone has the edge, because good music has been written for it since the 16th century, whereas the trumpet had limited capability until the 19th C. The horn, despite its late start (very little before 18th C) has one advantage over these two: much more chamber music, mostly with woodwind instruments, such as the octet serenades of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, and wind quintets (fl, ob, cl, bn, hn) by many composers since c. 1800. However, jazz horn players are rather few, and are not always welcome in a big band.

go for it i say - easyest place to start is a cornet - learn with a teacher for a few years and then go to a brass band - and hopefully you'll be able to play 2nd/3rd cornet music by then (unless you dont mine joining a junior band - which could mean you can use one of thier instruments) - cornet os probably the easiest brass instrument to start on - it's not heavy and it doesn't involve as much thinking as asop cornet or as much lifting as a trumpet or a bigger brass instrument - brass bands do a whole range of music - form classical to jazz so if you want a broad range of musical styles it might be worth joining a brass band - or even a wind band