History and Information
The trumpet is the highest voice in the brass family of instruments. It is one of the oldest instruments, some examples dating back over 3500 years. Early trumpets were made out of silver or bronze and did not have valves. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that effective valves were introduced, and the range and playability of the trumpet were both greatly improved. The cornet is a very similar instrument, although it is slightly different in shape and tone. When you take trumpet lessons, you will be exposed to an extensive repertoire including jazz, blues, rock, funk, and classical music.
When to Start
Students can start trumpet lessons as young as age 8, depending on lung capacity and physical strength. The student also must be able to effectively maintain an embouchure, or mouth shape. Students younger than 8 may find this difficult. Most instructors will also incorporate reading music into their lessons, so students should know at least some reading and counting fundamentals.
Getting a Trumpet
There are many brands and models of trumpet available for rent and purchase. For very young students, it is recommended to rent instruments for two reasons: 1) they will most likely grow out of instruments quickly and 2) they may lose interest (although we hope they don’t!). When you rent a trumpet or buy a used one, we strongly advise that you buy a new mouthpiece. Most places that rent instruments will also provide repair services for their instruments. We can give you recommendations for places near you to buy or rent your trumpet. Please contact us, and be sure to include your location!
Books and Supplies
Most rented trumpets will come with items such as a case and cleaning implements. Your instructor can tell you which books and other supplies are appropriate. Most books and many supplies, including valve oil, are available online. We can recommend stores near you where you can purchase supplies and music, if you prefer to do so in person. Please contact us, and again, remember to tell us where you live!
**Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We can help provide you with additional resources.**