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A common question that is asked when picking a trumpet is whether or not you need to pay more for a better-performing trumpet. Does price and quality of an instrument really affect the sound and tone quality? Getting to the bottom of these questions are very important when looking for a new horn. After all, picking the best instrument is an important issue that applies to musicians at every level.
The more you pay for an instrument usually means that you will get one that is of better quality. This isn’t always the case, however, as horns are built by normal people who are susceptible to making mistakes. Even the most experienced master craftsman can have a bad day, which can certainly affect the way he/she finishes an instrument. Researching and knowing the ins-and-outs of your instrument will help you in your quest to purchase a quality trumpet.
Beginning musicians won’t necessarily know what to look for in a new horn, but the more experienced that you are, the better your chances of finding one that will suit your needs. Students will want to look for a durable horn that is easy to play, while accomplished musicians will be more selective and will want to determine what type of finish, coloration, embellishments, and enhancements their new horn will have.
The best advice that you can be given when looking for a new instrument is to buy the best horn that you can afford. You also need to understand that buying a new trumpet isn’t going to give you some magic power to make you a better player. This all takes many hours of practice. A great player can make a crappy horn sound good, but a mediocre player will have a hard time making even the best trumpet sound more than mediocre.
With that said, I truly believe that there are certain trumpets that are better than others, and some can even be had at bargain prices that offer great performance. As you get better as a musician, you will learn to hear and feel the little nuances that can occur between a mediocre horn and one that plays great for you.
If you’re looking at a specific brand or model of horn, do your research. Ask your trumpet instructor (you should definitely have one, especially if just starting out), browse the various trumpet sites that you can find online, or even read reviews of others that have purchased that same instrument. This will give you some insight on the pros and cons of the specific horn that you are looking at.
You’ll want to ensure that you buy a trumpet that is well-made when just starting out. If you get one that is of poor quality, you will regret it, as it will most likely fall apart in a year or two due to poor construction and/or materials. This causes undue stress on a new student, as they will surely get discouraged and may even quit altogether, as a new musician won’t be able to tell whether or not his/her lack of progress is due to inexperience or a poorly made horn. This can all be avoided by buying a quality instrument from the get-go.
Purchasing a good quality horn from the onset allows you to postpone bug an intermediate instrument as it will last longer than a cheap one. This will usually allow you to get past that phase of frustration common with beginning musicians. If you own a cheap horn, you may also have trouble getting rid of it due to poor resale value.
