Quick Guide
Our Pick for the Best Trumpet Brands
What is a Trumpet?
If you are on this website looking to buy a trumpet, you probably have an idea what the item is. You may not know the parts of a trumpet, how it’s played or what to look for when buying. However, you are still likely to be familiar with the instrument.
To learn how to play the trumpet professionally or simply as a hobby, it’s important to understand the instrument in-depth.
A trumpet is a music instrument that belongs to the brass family. This is one of the oldest music instruments in the world.
To play a trumpet, you need to put your lips on the mouthpiece and blow in air to create a buzzing sound. The sound will create vibrations in the instrument’s air column, which can be high or smooth pitch sounds.
Trumpets are usually made of a brass tubing that is bent twice into an elongated shape.
There are various types of trumpets on the market. The most common variety is pitched in B and has three rotary or piston valves.
A professional trumpet player is known as a trumpeter. Professional trumpet players usually play the best trumpets. However, regardless of your skill level, you will find a perfect trumpet for you.
Types of Trumpets for Different Players
There are three main types of trumpets on the market: student, intermediate and professional trumpets.
Student Trumpets
These trumpets are specially designed for beginner and young players. The trumpets are durable and easy to master.
Most people start playing trumpets when they are young. Therefore, student trumpets are made to be sturdy enough to withstand any bumps or dents they are likely to face.
Intermediate Trumpets
These trumpets are designed for amateurs and developing players that are serious about improving their skills. The trumpets provide excellent tones even though they are not as sturdy as student trumpets.
Professional Trumpets
These trumpets are the best for both professionals and developing players. The instruments are of the highest quality and best for players looking for the type of sound and functionality that they provide.
Beginner’s trumpets are produced en-masse by many companies. The trumpets are easily available online and at music instrument stores. On the other hand, professional trumpets are produced in smaller quantities, have more specialized components and some of their parts may be forged by hand.
As you improve your trumpeting skills, you will find a beginner’s trumpet limiting your ability to advance. Therefore, you will have to switch your trumpet to a professional one.
Pro trumpets are specially designed to address the needs of highly-skilled players. The trumpets are put through various rigorous tests to ensure they perform as expected. Moreover, they are made of high-quality materials.
Should You Buy a Professional Trumpet?
Most professional trumpets are expensive. Therefore, it would only make sense to upgrade to a new instrument if you feel you are ready to take your skills to the next level.
There are various factors you should consider to determine whether it’s time to buy a pro trumpet. These include:
- How often do you practice?
If you are not aiming to fully master trumpeting or play like a pro, it would not make sense to buy a professional trumpet.
- Can you care for the instrument?
Have you been taking good care of your current instrument? If you cannot dedicate enough time to take care of the trumpet, you should not buy a professional trumpet. Remember, pro trumpets are more expensive than beginner trumpets but less durable. Therefore, they need to be handled with extreme care.
If you simply need to replace your current trumpet, choose one that is suitable for your skill and budget. You do not need to upgrade just for the sake of it.
- Will you use the trumpet in a marching band?
If you intend to use a trumpet in a marching band, choose a student or intermediate model. Trumpets used in a marching band are more susceptible to getting damaged. You do not want an expensive pro trumpet on the band.
- Do you want to take your skills to pro-level?
Young players may not stick to playing the trumpet past their high school years. Very few students continue playing the trumpet into college and become professional trumpeters. Even if you have started the trumpeting hobby, you may not be dedicated enough to get your skills to a pro-level.
As your trumpeting skills develop, your progress will be hindered if you have a basic instrument. No matter your age, if you are dedicated to learning trumpeting, your goal should be to have a professional trumpet as soon as possible.
What to Consider Before Buying a Trumpet
Below are the most important factors to consider when looking to buy a trumpet.
Sound
Look for a trumpet that can play well at all dynamic levels. Your preferences should guide you in determining the specific timbre of the trumpet to buy. You may prefer a darker and bigger orchestral sound or a bright and jazzy sound.
Intonation
The trumpet should provide consistent intonation. Moreover, it should not have unusually flat or sharp notes or tones that can overshadow the rest.
Ease of Use
The trumpet should project easily without you having to use excessive effort. Moreover, the tougher registers should be free-blowing without feeling pinched.
Mechanics
The instruments from the best trumpet brands have smooth valves with first- and third-valve rings or triggers for fine tuning them. Also, confirm that the trumpet you want to buy has a stopper that would prevent the third-valve from falling out.
Finish
Most trumpets are finished with brass. A few have an additional lacquer finish sprayed and baked on them. This finish gives the instrument a darker look.
You may also find trumpets with a silver-plating finish. This finish is applied through electroplating and makes the sound a little bit brighter. Trumpets with a silver-plating finish are more durable than those with a lacquer finish.
Finally, some trumpets have a gold plating finish that makes the sound a little bit dark. Only professional trumpets have a gold-plating finish.
Price
The quality of a trumpet is usually dictated by price. You can find quality trumpets in the intermediate price ranges. However, for the best playing experience, you will have to pay more for the trumpets.
How to Find the Best Trumpet for Your Needs
Before selecting a trumpet, consider your unique needs.
For example, if you are an amateur, look for an instrument that you can master while improving your skills. A great example of such an instrument is the Yamaha YTR-2335. This student trumpet offers excellent performance and can handle the likely bumping in marching bands.
If you are an intermediate player, go for a trumpet that will help you progress slowly with better quality. One of the best intermediate trumpets is the Getzen 590 Capri. This trumpet provides Amado water keys for free blowing and great sound quality.
If you are looking for the best professional trumpet, check the Back 180S37. This trumpet works excellent for every style, from a jazz ensemble to the orchestra.
Watch the video below to learn more about choosing the right trumpet:
Best Trumpet Brands
Below are the best trumpet brands on the market:
#1. Bach
Bach is known for its professional trumpets, including the 180S37 Stradivarius, which is a favorite among pro trumpeters. Other models from the company are Bach LR180S37 and Bach TR300.
The TR300 has the signature quality features that Bach instruments are known for, including the Stradivarius-style valve casing.
#2. Conn
Intermediate and advanced skill level trumpeters have a variety of instruments to choose from Conn.
Notable among the instruments is the Conn 52BSP CONNstellation that features a large bore for enhanced resonance and tone. This trumpet produces a rich dark sound. The CONNstellation is easy to master but quite powerful.
If you are looking for a modern convenience instrument with a classic performance, you cannot go wrong with the Vintage One.
#3. Getzen
For serious intermediate players, Getzen has a range of trumpets to consider. The 590-S Capri stands out for its versatility. There is also the 900S Eterna, which is a remake of the classic form with the same blowing ability and quality tone.
Another Getzen model that must be mentioned is the 3050 Custom Series, which is designed for individual play. This trumpet is great for high school and college players. The instrument provides a brilliant tone with exceptional intonation and appropriate resistance.
#4. Kanstul
Kanstul instruments are also on the list of the best trumpets thanks to their heavy build and production of dark tone. The 700 Series is quite inexpensive but its capabilities match a professional model.
There is also the 1000 Series which is a reproduction of the classic Elden Benge trumpets. The trumpets in this series are versatile, produce brighter tones in its higher register and full sounds in the middle.
See Kanstul Trumpets on Amazon
#5. Schilke
The most popular Schilke trumpet is the lightweight B series. Trumpets in the series are known for their impressive intonation, brilliant sound, and responsiveness. These instruments are excellently made and adjusted by hand.
The Schilke B series models provide the best quality in terms of money spent when compared to other brands. You should check out the versatile Schilke B1 that features a medium-large bore with a large free-blowing bell.
See Schilke Trumpets on Amazon
#6. Yamaha
When it comes to quality construction, perhaps no trumpet brand beats Yamaha. Yamaha trumpets are consistent in their quality regardless of the model. Yamaha has trumpets for both intermediate and pro players. For example, there’s the Xeno YTR-8335RGS, which is the brand’s answer to the popular Bach 180S37 Stradivarius.
There’s also the 8310Z, an easy instrument that was designed with the help of Bobby Shew, the Jazz trumpeter.
Yamaha’s Artist models are quality trumpets meant for top orchestral performers.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Trumpet
To purchase quality trumpets, there are various rules you should remember. For example, you should avoid buying instruments with a flashy appearance and from retail stores. These instruments tend to have fault mechanics and dull sounds.
The best student trumpets are affordable. However, you may have a difficult time determining which specific models will be suitable for your needs.
Trumpet Accessories
There are various accessories you will need to keep your trumpet in great condition. Among the accessories you should have include cloths, brushes, mouthpieces, valve oil, and cases.
Cleaning Utensils
You will need a cleaning snake to remove debris from the trumpet tube. To retain the external luster of the trumpet, wipe it with a cleaning cloth.
Read the Trumpet Cleaning Guide
Valve Oil
The valve oil can help to protect the trumpet against bacterial growth. Moreover, it keeps the valves fluid to allow easy playing.
Trumpet Case
You should store your instrument in a trumpet case of bag at home. If you will be transporting the instrument, you will need a sturdy case.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece provides a comfortable rim to place the lips when playing. Keep the accessory clean using a brush.
Watch the video below to learn how to choose a trumpet mouthpiece:
Trumpet FAQ
Q: Should I buy or rent?
A: If you are committed to learning how to play the trumpet, you should buy a high-quality trumpet. On the other hand, if you simply want to learn how to play as a hobby or plan to stay in the beginner range, renting would be a better option.
Q: Should I start with a professional trumpet?
A: Both beginner and professional trumpets have their benefits. Even if you can afford a professional trumpet because the cost is not an issue, it may not always serve you right.
A student trumpet is easier to use if you are not familiar with playing the trumpet. Moreover, it would be advisable to purchase a cheap trumpet unless you are sure you would like to continue in your journey to becoming an intermediate or pro trumpeter.
Q: What are the benefits of an intermediate trumpet?
A: If you are a gifted player and have shown potential quickly, you can switch from a beginner to professional trumpet. However, some people may prefer an intermediate trumpet to further enhance their skills, perhaps because they are not ready to pay the high costs of a professional instrument.
Where Can You Buy a Trumpet?
The best place to buy a trumpet is on the internet. Moreover, by buying on the internet, you can read reviews made by other customers that have bought the instrument to find out what they think of it. For example, you can read student trumpet reviews to find out the best beginner instruments on the market.
Some of the online stores we recommend you check for trumpets include Amazon, Music123, and Woodwind & Brasswind. You can find used trumpets for sale at Amazon. The other stores are great if you are looking for new professional trumpets.
Make the Right Decision
Always go for the best trumpet for you or your student. With the right instrument, you will quickly develop your skills and be motivated to dedicate your time to improve your play.
If you are looking for a trumpet for a young or beginner player, go for student trumpets. These trumpets are best for beginners. If you want to buy a professional-level trumpet, make sure you or your student will be committed to playing for many years.
There are many trumpets for sale on the market. To find the right instrument, you need to consider not only the appearance but also price and durability.
If you have a tight budget, you can purchase cheap trumpets for sale. However, keep in mind that they may not be the best if you wish to further develop your skills.
The best trumpet to buy will be one that meets your needs. As you play, you will want to have a personal sound. For example, you may prefer an orchestral sound or a more commercial sound.
Consider your skills and the setting where you will be using the trumpet.
There are multiple good trumpet brands that you can purchase. However, simply choosing one brand over another will not guarantee satisfaction. A brand that may be preferred by another player may not necessarily be good for your playing style or skill.
Experiment with different brands to find the right trumpet model. In particular, choose a good quality trumpet that is suitable for your skill level. You may want to seek help from an instructor or professional player to know the right instrument to choose.