Beginners

When Should You Buy a Professional Trumpet

when should you buy a professional trumpet
Written by Corey Morgan

If you are a beginner trumpet player, you may be wondering when the best time to buy a professional trumpet is. This is a tricky question, as it depends on your individual playing level and budget. In general, however, it is best to buy a professional trumpet once you have outgrown your beginner model. In this blog post, we will explore when is the best time to buy a professional trumpet. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, read on for tips on how to choose the right trumpet for you.

Is Your Trumpet in Need of an Upgrade?

Regardless of how long you have been playing the trumpet, you may be wondering if it’s time to upgrade your instrument. Plus, the age at which a trumpet’s parts should be replaced?

For the most part, if your earliest experiences with the trumpet involve lessons on a simple model. As a precautionary measure, this allows you to get acquainted with the instrument and see if you like it before deciding whether or not you want to pursue a career in music.

It Might Be Time for an Upgrade If…

A trumpet upgrade may be necessary once you are comfortable with the instrument and have made significant progress since you began playing.

What Is the Upgrade From?

Rental Trumpets

If you’ve been renting your trumpet, is it time to invest in a new one? The cost of long-term rentals can quickly escalate. For less than the cost of a year’s rental, you may typically get a fairly playable student-level trumpets.  Instruments rented from a store may be in better condition, but they may have more dents, scratches.

It’s highly recommended that you get a non-rental trumpet for your next step up in quality. Proud ownership of the trumpet can go a long way in keeping your motivated to continue practicing.

Professional trumpets are expensive

Making the decision to buy a professional trumpet can be a difficult one as professional trumpets can be costly, so make sure you’re ready to invest. If not, there are plenty of extremely high-quality intermediate trumpets to pick from!

The metals used in professional trumpets are of a higher quality. Valves constructed of Monel or stainless steel operate more smoothly because of their higher degree of accuracy. Pro variants may have larger bores, allowing the instrument to be played with more power.

What Materials Are Used to Make Professional Trumpets?

Brass is now used nearly entirely in the manufacture of trumpets. Yellow brass, which is 70% copper and 30% zinc, is the most prevalent variety of brass used in professional trumpets. However, you don’t need to buy a gold or silver trumpet in order to play at the highest level of quality.

Intermediate Trumpet or Advanced Trumpet?

Should you upgrade your trumpet from a student to an intermediate model? Today’s student trumpets are manufactured with larger gauge tubing and heavier bracing in order to resist the demands of today’s student musicians.

Intermediate level trumpets are generally similar in design to student level trumpets, but with a fixed third valve ring, nickel plating on lacquered trumpets, and other professional features.

Some musicians believe that you should not buy an intermediate level trumpet unless you have first tried it and genuinely enjoy how it sounds.

In contrast, some argue that you should first improve your trumpet to an intermediate model before moving on to a professional one. This is due to the fact that a professional trumpet’s tuning can be somewhat variable, which is great for a professional musician but can be quite challenging for an intermediate player. Additionally, they’d need a lot of air control, which can only be honed through practice.

Professional Trumpet

If you’re a trumpet player, you’re likely to hear from other trumpeters that it’s best to bypass the intermediate step and go straight to a professional (pro) trumpet when upgrading from a student trumpet.

Investing in a professional trumpet, whether new or used, is never a terrible idea. As long as you are responsible for looking after it, you’ll be able to receive most of your money back if you decide to sell it.

Professional Guidance

Having your trumpet evaluated by a professional trumpet teacher will help you determine whether or not your child is getting the most out of their instrument and whether or not you need to invest in a new one.

You can also go to a local Music & Arts store and try out a variety of intermediate and professional-level trumpets to determine what you like better in terms of sound and playability.

Used Or New?

For starters, a new trumpet can help you become a better player. In other cases, even greater, quality might be found in used trumpets. A new trumpet, rather than a used one, will accompany you on a long and thrilling journey as a trumpet player. There is a tale behind every scar, dent, or mark, and that story is your story!

In the end, whether or not it’s time to upgrade your trumpet will depend on your level of comfort.

Professional Trumpet Finishes

Brass instruments for professional use are available in a wide range of finishes. One of the most prevalent finishes on instruments is lacquer, which is baked onto them.

An instrument’s tone can be darkened by lacquer treatments, which are available on all trumpet types. Instead, silver plating, which is done via electroplating, can enhance the brightness of a trumpet’s sound. Additionally, gold coatings have the ability to darken the overall hue. Decorative finishes like vintage, copper, black copper, or red brass can be seen on professional trumpets.

Brands of Trumpets Recommended for Professionals

There are a number of high-quality trumpet manufactures out there if you’re seeking for a professional instrument. Professional trumpets of the highest quality can be found among the Bach, Schilke, Yamaha and Adams types.

Professional trumpets are also available at an inexpensive price from Allora, and you may also buy a used trumpet for less money than buying a new one.

The Best Trumpets for Professionals

If you’re seeking for the best professional trumpet for the money, here are a few options to consider:

Professional Trumpet Accessories

Every instrument requires regular cleaning and care, and there are various accessories that can help you keep your trumpet at peak performance. Using brushes to clean the mouthpiece helps keep the trumpet’s body free of debris that can obstruct airflow. The smooth and rapid operation of valve mechanisms necessitates the use of valve oil.

Other typical accessories for trumpet players include accessories more suited to musical demands, such as several types of mouthpieces and several different variations of brass mutes.  Although many professional cases include place for these additional items, trumpet cases specifically designed for the instrument can provide adequate storage for the player’s accessories and much-needed protection for the instrument.

Is a new trumpet on your wish list?

When purchasing a new trumpet, consider how it feels, how it sounds and how it plays. In the end, it will be you who has to make the final decision on whether or not to upgrade their trumpet. It must be a good fit for you, and you must be able to enjoy it. Try a variety of trumpets to find the one that works best for you, and have fun while you’re at it!