Young Player

interfx · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 2:09 pm Post subject:

My 7 year old has expressed an interest in learning to play Trumpet... (probably related to seeing me and my wife playing trumpet...)

What is a good horn to get him started on? Our trumpets are too heavy for him... I was looking for a cornet, or perhaps a pocket trumpet??? Should I stay away from a pocket trumpet, or stick with a more traditional cornet...

Any ideas, or other suggetsions would be great... (he reads music from piano lessons, and understands the concepts of notes)...

Any suggestions?

lincolnjazz · Regular Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 74 Location: NC

If it were me I would start your son on a King 600 trumpet. It's easy to play, fairly light and will last. I started on this horn in 7th grade and it lasted until halfway through my junior year of high school, when an unfortunate marching band accident killed it. But it's a good horn for the beginner and I highly recommend it.

trumpetmike · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 2:22 pm Post subject:

If the trumpet is too big for him, try a cornet.

I would tend to avoid the pocket trumpets, just on a quality issue. Finding a reasonable one is hard, a good one is almost impossible.

If he wants to move onto trumpet later (which many do - including me, some years ago!) he won't have any problems changing over.

silverhorn · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Jan 2003 Posts: 682

I had a King 600 too when I started. It's got great valves for a student horn. It even survived marching band through high school, and then I gave it to a friend after college.

Bits&Bytes · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2002 Posts: 825

Both my children (7,9) have a much easier time with my cornet than the trumpet. The length and the weight of the bell further out on a trumpet makes it difficult for them to maintain any ballance...

adieste · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 5:59 pm Post subject:

I've started my five-year-old on a bugle, and told him he may have a "big kid horn" when he can play the first three partials. I'll give him a pocket trumpet first, then graduate him to cornet at age 10-11, then finally to trumpet, once he physically grows into it!
_________________
Trumpet: 1975 Benge CG, 1964 Martin Committee
Flugelhorn: 1963 and 1973 Olds L-12
Cornet: 1895 Conn Wonder, 1915 Buescher 57C
Pocket Trumpet: Funky No-Name Thing
Alto Sax: 1965 Buescher Aristocrat
Tenor Sax: 1956 Buffet Crampon Paris

oneeyedhobbit · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:15 pm Post subject:

I'm inclinded to agree with earlier sentiments-pocket trumpets, while size wise seem ideal, play much less than ideal. Go for a cornet, they aren't THAT taxing, they are good for learning, and you can teach them about the sound differences too.

doitallman · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 10:45 pm Post subject:

I agree.. Phil Smith started on cornet...and look where he is now!!!!!

Most pocket trumpets suck.

JackD · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 3:33 am Post subject:

I think the cornet is a great instrument to start on: it's easier to hold, reducing the risk of embouchure damage, and it has got a darker tone, which is never a bad thing in my opinion.

I started on the cornet, and the change over to the trumpet was not an issue at all for me, so there shouldn't be any problems there. I would go with a cornet over a pocket trumpet, as I think those things are pretty horrible.

plp · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 4:27 am Post subject:

Cornet for sure for the little 'uns, as to which one there are 3 I would recommend to start. Of course, the Olds Ambassador, although it is a little heavy for a cornet, but you can slay oxen with it and it still hold together. The Holton 602/Collegiate cornet is a little lighter, and not as stuffy. If you are looking for new, the Yamaha 23 series (don't know what model they are up to for entry level) are as consistent in manufacture as you will find. The last opinion is based on what I have read here, as I haven't ever owned a new from the factory horn. The two used Yamahas I have acquired were noticably lighter than the Olds, but both were purchased for a specific student and I didn't have either of them in my possession for more than the time it took for the new owners to drive over and pick them up.