AboutVikrant Singh Badwal Expertise I can answer question about trumpet playing techniques and general musicianmanship. I have great insight on the characteristics of good trumpet playing. I can answer questions that cover good tone, expanding range, sustaining endurance, and breakdown practice techniques. I can also answer questions about trumpet maintenance and small repairs applicable to brass instrumentation. I can also discuss general brass playing techniques. Since, I recently graduated from college, I am not able to answer questions that are in the post-university level of this genre.
Experience 15 years of playing trumpet-from elementary school to college graduation. 1 year of playing fluegelhorn. 1 quarter of playing baritone horn. 1 season of bass drum in percussion ensemble.
Organizations Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band- 7 seasons
Cal Poly Mustang Pep Band- 5 seasons
Cal Poly Wind Orchestra/Ensembles- 6 years
Cal Poly Brass Ensembles- 3 years
Cal Poly University Jazz Band- 1 year
IHS Cavalry Marching Band- 4 seasons
IHS Symphonic Band- 3 years
IHS Jazz Band- 2 years
Education/Credentials B.S. Electrical Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
2.5 years of private trumpet lessons.
Collegiate musician in jazz, pep, marching, wind orchestra and brass ensembles.
High school musician in jazz, marching, and symphonies.
Awards and Honors Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band- Lead Drill Designer- 5 years
Cal Poly Wind Orchestra- Principal Trumpet- 2 years
IHS Jazz Band- Lead Trumpet- 1 year
IHS Cavalry Marching Band- Co-Section Leader- 1 season
Question My sons are going into beginning band. They both want to play a trumpet and I have trying to find the best deal. What have you heard about a Barrington Trumpet Student Series?
Answer Hi Regina,
Sources say that the Barrington Trumpet Student series is a Chinese manufactured instrument. Even though these instruments are considerably cheaper than other well known brands, they are a complete waste of money than they are worth. In fact, you can probably find a well made used instrument for under $300 and still have a better quality instrument. Do not buy these instruments! These instruments will breakdown a lot quicker, have detail flaws and suffer from horrible intonation. Because of these problems, your sons will be fighting the instrument in the first and most important years of music development.
My suggestion to you is to rent instruments from a music shop for the first year. Try to rent out as many different instruments as possible so that they can formulate their own likes and dislikes. This may be a safer bet, seeing that a lot of student musicians will never touch an instrument again after the first year or post elementary/middle school. If you are apt on buying a brand new instrument, then I suggest that you invest somewhere between $500-$700 a piece on student instruments.
Personally, I would look to rent or look for used instruments.
You get what you pay for. I hope this helps, do not hesitate to follow up.
