I am keen to buy a trumpet for my 10 year old who has been offered lessons at school. Looking at buying a new Yamaha Student trumpet YTR 2330 in silver. Has anyone got experience with this model? Also are there reliable cheap online music stores that you can recommend or do you know of any good stores in Perth to buy Yahama trumpets?
Purchasing Trumpet
Lmarketingpolice on 07/02/2016 - 13:46
Comments
Well from a bit of googling I found this http://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YTR-2330-Standard-Bb-Trumpet-H828…
Gold seems to be much cheaper than silver.
I agree with try2bhelpful let him decide on a instrument not you. Rent from the school for a term and see if he actually likes it.
investigate soundproofing as well
No problems here.
Baffles for trumpets etc are available, and are expected by my state's noise laws (from memory) for practice sessions afaik.If the kid likes the trumpet especially, go for it.
You can look at Aliexpress.com for low price option, they had a fair range and some feedback, which could be a good starter or backup instrument. I thought about trumpet last year and bought bagpipes (cause they're quiet) instead. ;-)
Baffles are good; if your kid sticks with the rules. I come from a family of five and each of us played at least one instrument; including one of my brothers who played trumpet. I'm not sure how my parents put up with us.
I think 10 is a bit young to actually committ to a single instrument; particularly if he actually has talent. I've known a few talented musicians and they tend to drift between a few instruments until they find the one they particularly like. There will be nothing worse than forcing your 10 year old to continue with something he doesn't like because you forked out for a particular instrument; you will just put him off in the long run. Maybe look at a second hand one, if you want to buy him something. I'm sure there are a number of "near new" ones.
They're called "mutes" :)
And from what I've been told they're not good for beginners. When they're first starting out they really need to hear what they sound like.
I think you just have to make sure you pick an appropriate time to practice. Earlier in the afternoon when they get home from school is going to be a lot more tolerable to your neighbours than later when they are watching TV or trying to get their own little ones to bed.No worries, I was just testing ;->
In all honestly I would wait until he has had a year of tuition at school. The schools usually (this is in QLD state schools) only offer lessons to kids based on the hire instruments they have available and do not expect you to buy your own instrument until the start of the second year learning the instrument. Your son might find he might not like the trumpet and might prefer percussion instead , or maybe enjoys the instrument but doesn't like the teacher (this seems to cause a lot of quitting of instruments).
My kids went through the music system right till the end. Excellent public education music system in QLD. Not sure if you are in QLD or not, but kids can normally do one string instrument (eg.violin) and one band instrument (eg. trumpet, clarinet).
Wow…for free?
Pretty much, there will be minimal music fees, have to buy an instrument after a year (unless it is something huge and expensive like a double bass), music lesson book, repairs/strings for violins, reeds for clarinets, that sort of thing. But very cheap and excellent music education system in QLD.
It does depend on the School though.
QLD Schools do not have to have any instrumental music program.
But, yes; Mostly free. There will probably be a small levy but nothing like what you would have to pay for private lessons.
West End, QLD.
My son just had his first Trumpet lesson with school last week. He's 8 and in grade 4. I don't think it's too soon for your 10 year old. My boy has learning difficulties so we didn't think he would qualify but the school is actually right behind him. They've said that what they usually see is that the kids that learn an instrument also improve in all their other subjects.There was an option to rent from the school for $200 for the year. I opted to buy him one instead.
I was tempted by the Nuova NTR3L Student Trumpet which can be bought for $319 online. However, when we went into our local shop they weren't keen to sell it to us (even though they do advertise it on their website). They claimed that chinese brands tend to have higher maintenance costs, but then later in the conversation they also said that trumpets have very low maintenance costs compared to other instruments; so really I think I fell for the upsell.
What I ended up buying was a discontinued Talis Student Trumpet for $450.
They showed us some Yamaha ones but they came in those hard leather-look cases which I don't think are great for a primary school kid. The Talis that I bought came in a nice hard canvas bag with backback straps that is much more suited to the knocks and blows it will sustain from being tossed around by an 8-9 year old boy. It's the one in the middle of this pic
Plus the Yamaha was $250 more expensive.His music teacher is happy with it and he is happy with it. There is another girl in his grade that also bought the same Trumpet. From what my son has said most of the kids starting this year have bought their own rather than renting from the school.
We were warned by the school not to get those cheapo coloured instruments. Also, the rep from the local shop warned against buying used without having it checked over by a repairer first.
On top of the instrument expense we just have to pay a $50 band levy each year which funds music stands, sheet music etc.
Just take your kid into your local store and get them to show you what they have. They should let your kid have a try on them. That's what happened with my son. He showed a real preference for the trumpet we bought over any of the others he was shown. It fit his hands better, he claimed it was lighter (although I couldn't tell any difference, I think he might have been referring to balance) and he much preferred the colour (he got gold, the others we saw were silver). But most importantly he seemed to be able to make a much better sound on the one we bought.
They never got the Nuova out for us to look at so I don't know if that would have suited him.
No specific trumpet experience, but 20+ years playing brass as a hobby (trombone) I would say stick with "name" brands - Yamaha, Jupiter, Bach, King, Conn etc. Much more reliable in the long run and much better resale value. Generally much better quality. Some of the Chinese manufacturers are getting better, but quality control is still a pretty big issue. Re the choice of silver. It's mostly cosmetic. Not much difference, if any, in sound between gold and silver. I don't know any shops in Perth, but we have a couple in Melbourne. Not "cheap" though. http://www.ozwinds.com.au/ is a good one. Unless your heart is set on new, I would seriously consider second hand. You can still get great mileage out of a good second hand brass instrument. They last for decades with minimal maintenance. If you want some contacts with brass aficionados a bit closer to home, you could also try contacting these folks - http://waba.asn.au/contact-us/wa-bands/
Good luck.
I played the trumpet in my younger days. I started off renting a trumpet from my school which was some ridiculously low price, like $50 for the year. However, my parents did make the mistake of getting a student grade trumpet for me which was only good until a certain point, when I had to upgrade. My teacher (who was a scholarship holder at the Conservatorium) recommended my sister start with a mid grade trumpet at around $1200, and that one definitely sounds warmer and richer than my own. She has a Yamaha TYR 6335J purchased from Sax & Woodwind and Brass. Mouthpieces are also important, go with a Bach 1-1/2C. Crappy mouthpieces are simply crap.
If you do go down the renting path, make sure to clean out the rental trumpet - they get pretty gross especially when it hasn't been well looked after. Also try to get one with a slide for your left thumb, it'll ensure more years of use.
Personally (three kids) there is always the risk that after a year or so (or even sooner) the desire will fade and you'll end up with an expensive paper weight.
I'd rent, or get a decent (but comparatively cheap) student trumpet or a second hand 'brand' one. If you go second hand and don't get it from a music shop with a warranty, might need to allow for another $100 or so (just in case) to take it to a music shop and have it serviced as well - they'll clean it and make sure all the valves etc are fine. If your kid starts to require something better in a few years time, you can get something else and sell the old one.
Hi,
A great beginner model🎺 (And a good one to buy secondhand due to the quality.) Not sure I would buy new online unless a huge saving, in case they sent a lemon (although shouldn't happen with a Yamaha), make sure it's insured! I know a guy who exports John Packer and other quality brass instruments from uk to here at keen prices (though $ not great at moment for that😥).
My son was 8 when he started and took to it well, (a good tutor really helps and inspires, money well spent😊), and the trumpet is great, easily portable, very versatile, little upkeep, no extra costs apart from a service every couple of years🎺 (if the mouthpiece gets stuck, do not try and force it off yourself as you'll end up twisting the pipe - pay a shop $10-20 to remove it with proper equipment!). We've never had complaints from neighbours about noise - but a practice mute would solve that (my son's first mute, bought for fun before he needed one, cost me 99c on ebay, although now he uses proper ones for band - 2nd hand from ebay uk).
Agree best to rent one from school or local music shop for a term or two to see a) if child enjoys instrument, b) enjoys being in the band; before parting with your cash on an instrument. Yamaha and Jupiter are 2 of the main popular (hence plentiful second hand supply) trouble-free brands. Any other brand should only be considered if recommended by your tutor or an instrument repair shop (get a recommendation off a friend or tutor as some repairs are lousy and some charge ott), as there is a lot of attractive rubbish about. Don't rely on a music shop's recommendation as they will not bail you out in 15 months time when the valves fail. Jupiter have at least one big sale every year (30% off?) if you do decide to buy new.
I wouldn't waste the money buying a new student trumpet. Wait till the child has passed grade 1 or 2 then buy them an advanced student/ intermediate trumpet and I'd still buy 2nd hand. I bought my son a Jupiter model 606ml a couple of years ago, off ebay for $260, and they're over $800rrp new.
Young kids & brand new instrument = accident waiting to happen😨.
If buying 2nd hand (not recommended to do online auctions unless you can test first) there is good online advice about what to check for if you can't get your repair shop or tutor to test quality brand trumpet out yourself before you buy. Do your research and google review (Be choosey, stay local, test, take your time, hold out for the model you decide on and wait for a gem - www.trumpetmaster.com and www.trumpetherald.com are great for reviews and all sort of trumpet advice, including maintenance.)
Check your household insurance policy covers the instrument (even school one if they don't have cover), if not add it for a small additional fee. Kids drop, throw, loose, forget & leave instruments….
(This is not expert advice, just a parent with a bit of experience - 2 kids, 4 instruments between us, 6 years of school bands, 100shours online research, many trips to instrument repair and music shops!)
Btw - all things musical seem a ripoff in Aus. Online often best but a few shops have keen pricing. I've bought stuff inc sheet music from Amazon and ebay in US and UK, as generally much cheaper even with postage.
And - it's never too late to take up (or restart) an instrument yourselves. LCCB Inc in Lane Cove NSW has 2 Adult beginner bands (why should the kids have all the fun) and they are just starting another adult beginner program - see lccb.org.au for details - all welcome🎶Thank you for all your useful comments. As a non musical parent it really helps getting advice from others that have been there before. His good friend ended up buying a Bach Trumpet yesterday. But their first lesson at school is tomorrow so I am keen to see what the music teacher says is best.
Suggest you investigate soundproofing as well. :).
Have you discussed with the school about the options associated with renting. Maybe let your kid investigate a number of instruments before settling on the trumpet; I think 10 might be a bit young to tie down to one instrument until you see how the committment goes.