How good is too good?

[Tonehole]

How good a trumpet should I buy.
I have been studying brass this semester and using a beat up loaner student horn from the department. I have to give it back at the end of the month and will have to buy a horn of my own.
I really enjoy the trumpet and find it enhances my air support on saxophone. It is a tough instrument to play but it may be harder then it needs to be since the horn I am using is total sh@t!
I intend to continue to study it.
The other day one of the trumpet prof's knocked on the door of the practice room I was using, he apologized when I opened it saying he was looking for one of his trumpet majors. He commented that he did not know I played trumpet and then stated my air stream was better then the student he was looking for.

Thinking used Bach Strat? in the $1,000.00 range. Is this horn too good for a beginner, trumpet players say the better the horn the harder to play. Opposite to sax.
I am motivated to kick some trumpet players a**!

[gary]

...trumpet players say the better the horn the harder to play. Opposite to sax.
That's ridiculous! You need to hang with another level of trumpet players.

Just like saxes there are a number of moderately priced trumpets that should fit your needs well. Bach, Getzen, Yamaha and others make fine trumpets in this level.

Jump over the the SOTW of trumpeters and ask your question there, as well. (Just remember to do a little searching on that forum first ;) ) http://www.trumpetherald.com/

[Tonehole]

No Gary I have not checked that forum ... but I have spoken with trumpet players and a couple of brass techs about it. These guys state and believe that the pro horns are more difficult for a novice to play .... got smaller bores, different tapers and bells on student trumpets ... not like saxophones where it is more about quality of components and build.
Student sax's don't have different bores for the neck or smaller bells they give you a C* mouthpiece to honk on instead.

So Gary I know you are prolifict .... and you do play Trumpet?
I thought this would be the best venue to ask as I thought this is likely where I will get feed back from sax players who have crossed over to trumpet. I figured those players would be able to share their experiences with me. The trumpet players I have spoken with have never know a saxophone player who picked up the trumpet and took it seriously. So when they speak of student player experience they are talking about student musician in every sense of the term.

As for buying a lightly used Bach Strad for a $1,000.00 ...Canadian dollars as well, I have been told this is a very good price. It has been suggested I would be able to sell the horn quickly for this much or more if I ever want to unload it. I am told this by the same guys who tell me it is too challenging a horn.

I take it you suggest I drop $600 to $800 on a new student or intermediate model and eat the cash loss if I decide to move up or on? Or spend $300 or so on a used student horn? Maybe hit Sams Club and pick up a new Blue finished job for $300?
If it was a novice sax player asking if they should drop $3,000.00 on a clean BA tenor would you tell them to look at the $1,000.00 Taiwan options instead?

As for hanging with a different level of trumpet player it is pretty tough to do unless I go through High School a 2nd time. I am in a music performance program even the players that suck here are very good.

[jaysne]

TH,

I am speaking as a sax player who takes trumpet seriously... I did a graduate sax recital as part of my master's and then took trumpet lessons for four years with the univ trumpet prof.

I began trumpet just like you--I found an old Yamaha beater for $15. It served me well: played just fine and I loved it. I then ended bought a used Bach cornet for $200, and then graduated to a Bach Strad I got from ebay for $800.

Based on my experience and my sense of where you are, here is what you should do: buy a used beginner's horn in good shape; you should be easily be able to find one for less than $500--probably much less. ebay is loaded with them. Student horns in good condition are a dime a dozen these days. The workmanship in the Yamahas, Holtons and others is so good, you won't be disappointed.

There is no reason for you to lay down a grand for a Strad if you don't have to. You can always get a Strad later on when you figure you need it. But right now, I don't think you should. You will be more than happy with a good student line instrument.

[Tonehole]

Thanks jaysne for the insight.I am not motivated by the prestige of the horn and I don't think I will ever become a lead trumpet player. I just don't want to drop a lot of cash in moving through trumpets.

[jaysne]

Thanks jaysne for the insight.I am not motivated by the prestige of the horn and I don't think I will ever become a lead trumpet player. I just don't want to drop a lot of cash in moving through trumpets.

Exactly. When I was playing my $15 Yamaha, I knew of the Strad, but had no desire to get one. My beater was all that I needed and wanted. As I developed my abilities after a couple of years of lessons, I knew that eventually my continued improvement would hinge upon getting a better horn. Then and only then did I start Strad shopping.