Is my very cheap trumpet making it harder for me to learn to play?

I have tried on and off for a couple of years to learn to play this Amati trumpet (learning from a book with occasional pointers from friends). I have picked up many instruments, but I can't get the buzz for the trumpet with any consistency. I purchased this $199 trumpet from Musician's Friend. It looks nice, but I really struggle to make music. I have had much better luck with a cheap Alto horn I got from eBay. It's noticably cheaper in contruction than the trumpet (terrible valves), but I can play it better, perhaps just because of the different type of mouthpiece.





I have replaced the original trumpet mouthpiece with a 1C in the hopes that I could play that better, but it hasn't helped.





Do you think a better trumpet would be easier to play, or am I just one of those who isn't made to play it?

Is my very cheap trumpet making it harder for me to learn to play?
Well, when i started playing, it was on a Yamaha student model, worth about $500.00-$700.00, and that is pretty cheap. If you do have better luck with other types of horns, it could be that the one you bought is crap. Did you get it from India? Those horns are bad. Anything for $199 has to be cheaply constructed, and whether it looks good or not doesn't count. I'd recommend looking into a better brand (Yamaha, Conn, Bach, etc) You can buy a second-hand beginners trumpet of those marks for around the same price as your new one, and they will play better. A recommended mouthpiece to start on is a 7C. I wouldn't learn on that 1C anymore....They are much bigger, and take lots more air, and more professional techniques, they are for strong players. I have been playing for 6 years, and am on a 5C.


The real problem may lie in the fact that you haven't had any professional instruction. A few lessons may correct some problems you have, and then you can focus on individual practice. Sometimes a teacher is all we need to get us on the right track! The trumpet is a truly beautiful instrument, and i wish you all the best in your struggles! Been there(and still am in many respects) and it is worth every second!
Reply:I would start with a 5C, and then go from there. 7C is pretty tight for a man with average sized lips. Report It

Reply:If you get decent sound out of an alto horn, then it probably is your cheap trumpet. Find someone (music shop?), to let you try a better horn - see what happens. Stick w/ 1C for now - it's closer to alto mp.





Trumpet player for 15 yrs %26amp; counting. Report It

Reply:Maybe you just stink? Report It

Reply:you know what they say, the cheaper the trumpet, the harder to bump'it Report It

Reply:I agree with trying a different mouthpice. I believe I used either a 5C or a 7C. I have a very old cornet, and if it wasn't for my sons banging it around and smashing the bell, I could still play after being out of school for 25 years.





GOOD LUCK AND PRACTICE!!!! Report It

Reply:A cheaper trumpet is fine when learning. The fact that you can't get the buzz has nothing to do with the quality of the horn, it's all in practice. You should be able to get a steady buzz out of your mouthpiece even before you put it in your trumpet! Try a 7C mouthpiece to start. Report It

Reply:well, i was in band for the past 4 years and i played the trumpet, i had a really old trumpet my brother used, but i got a new one from a catalog that was like 128 dollars or so...and the valves break apart on the inside..it was very poor quality, my older instrument worked so much better...so maybe its the quality of the one you have, I know that some trumpets are easier to blow into than others, maybe thats it? but trumpet is really easy once you get used to it, its just the high notes that are hard, dont lose hope in it, im sure youll find a trumpet that works better for you..
Reply:Ok first off NEVER buy a cheap horn or a horn from eBay. They are always messed up.Second ALWAYS buy an EXPENSIVE horn. Believe me I know this stuff from experience. You might want to try for a Bach Trumpet or a Conn 8D French Horn. If you want to make big bucks get a French Horn. If you walk in to a college with a horn they will give you money for attending school there.You should try for a size 11 or 12 mouthpiece for a french horn and if you buy a French Horn you will have to come in to a stare with at least 6,000 for an excellent horn. Well I hope I helped you out.
Reply:well it could be because my sister has bought a cheap instrument and I didn't work very god so it made her play bad
Reply:I play trumpet, and for learning I must say a 7c is the the best. And for the horn, it sounds better on a nice horn, but doesn't really matter, I play on a cheap trumpet sometimes and it doesn't make a difference for me, I say just keep practicing, practice with just the mouthpeice, before playing with the horn.
Reply:you need to get comfortable with the mouthpiece . keep practicing ......it will get easier !





btw : if you can play one brass instrument , you should be able to play all .......





cheers ...........