The Best Trumpets for Beginners
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The trumpet dates back to the early 15th century, but it was Louis Armstrong who truly revolutionized its use in music. Dubbed as the first great jazz soloist, Armstrong’s distinctive style and improvisations, including his head-turning high notes, influenced nearly every jazz musician that would follow him.
Even today, the sounds of the trumpet legacy live on, with the brass instrument featured in many popular songs, including Jason Derulo’s aptly-named “Trumpets,” and Shakira’s infamous “Hips Don’t Lie.”
Trumpets aren’t just played by the famous, however; they’re also a great instrument to pick up, whether you want to play in a jazz band, an orchestra or just as a soloist. While they can be an intimidating instrument to handle at first, with practice and determination, hitting different octaves and riffing away on your trumpet is an achievable feat.
If you’re looking to invest in a trumpet, there are a few important things to know. Most trumpets are made of brass, as the material gives the instrument a bright, resonant sound. You’ll also want to look for trumpets with a smaller bore because it will support a fuller sound without as much effort. The material that your trumpet’s valves are made of (I.e. the “buttons” you push to change notes) can vary, but they need to move smoothly and quickly, so look for trumpets that come with valve oil. And, because we’re recommending these trumpets for beginners, you’ll also want to consider purchasing a trumpet that includes music sheets or instructional material.
1. Jean Paul USA TR-330 Standard Student Trumpet
Featured in the standard key of Bb, the TR-330’s smooth valves produce a surprisingly resonant sound. The instrument feels balanced in even the most inexperienced hands, thanks to its first valve slide thumb saddle and third valve slide with an adjustable ring featuring a slide stop. The valves are easy to press, and the bell rings out with bright, crisp sound.
This set includes a carrying case, valve oil, gloves, cleaning cloth, and a mouthpiece.
2. Mendini MTT-L Gold Lacquer Brass Bb Trumpet
When first learning the trumpet, you need to be sure you’re not playing out of tune. This trumpet set includes an easy-to-read chromatic tuner that eliminates any hassle in tuning your instrument. And, what’s even better: when you’re ready to start mastering more complicated compositions, the metronome feature makes it easy to do just that. The trumpet itself features a nice tone quality with sturdy valves and an easy grip.
This set includes the trumpet, chromatic tuner, carrying case, valve oil, polishing cloth, a pair of white gloves, and a foldable trumpet stand that is stored inside the bell. A pocketbook with easy fingering chart and daily exercises is included as well.
3. Mendini by Cecilio Gold Brass Standard Bb Trumpet
Mendini trumpets go through two rounds of testing before they reach your hand, so you receive a high-quality playing experience. This trumpet is made from a lightweight but solid brass and its 7C mouthpiece creates the excellent airflow needed to produce a high-quality sound. A hard case, bottle of valve oil, and soft cleaning cloth are also included with your purchase.
Mendini is known for their decades of experience in manufacturing instruments and accessories, and this trumpet showcases their handiwork, with rich, room-filling sound in a beautifully-finished piece.
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