About Randy Kitano Expertise I can be of assistance in answering questions of types, selection of type, models, manufacturer, etc. Also on use and care of trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. Additionally, questions on practicing, playing technique, etc.
Experience I have played trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn for over 45 years for various concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching bands.
Question Hey Randy,I'm going to a private school and I have to be in band for 7th & 8th grade.This is my first time to play a trumpet & I don't like the one I'm renting, so we are looking for some used trumpets and we need to know what the better brands are and how you know it's a good trumpet?
Thanks. Breanna.
Answer Basically, the trumpet that YOU feel comfortable with playing is a good trumpet for you. There are some brands and models of trumpets that I can't play very well, but other people I know find that they love those same brands and models. So, it is really up to personal choice. The last horn I bought I tried 8 differenct horns of the same brand and model until I found the one horn that played better for me then all the others. Everyone has different physical characteristics and for trumpet players it's not just the difference in the strenght of you lips. Other characteristics such as the shape and condition of your teeth, breathing ability, lung capacity, stomach strength, etc. all contribute to how you play a trumpet. Also, for ALL manufacturers, every horn made, even the same model, is different from others of the same model, since alot of hand manufacture is involved in making trumpets.
What this all means is the best way to find the trumpet for you is to find a music store that has severl of the same models fo the trumpet you are interested in trying. Select a piece of music you can play well, then try playing this piece and various scales on each trumpet to see which one plays best for you. It's also best to have another trumpet player, your instructor, etc. accompany you and hear you play each different horn.
For used trumpets the best horns generally are Bach, Yamaha, Schilke, Besson (not Bessons-an imitation of the French Besson, Selmer Paris. Other brands made before 1970 that are good used trumpets are: Olds, Conn, King, Reynolds. Stay away from the ones made in India, China, Eastern Europe as they are all junk.
