03/04/2013
The subject of beginner/step up horns has come up alot lately. In my opinion, there are a number of trumpets out there that are much better suited for the middle/high school student who is ready to start playing or step up to the next level of playing than the horns we all just naturally think of. In my discussions Yamaha is always the first name to come up. Yamaha makes a wonderful trumpet ...... as long as it is taken care of. But they are FRAGILE instruments. There's also the fact that they are outsourcing much of their beginner/step up models to China now, and the quality is just not the same as what we all have come to expect from a trumpet with "Yamaha" stamped on the bell. So what do I recommend you say? ..... as far as beginners go, a good used (Japanese made) Yamaha 2335 or even a pre-1979 Olds Ambassador would be my first recommendation. The older Yamaha's if they are still around and working will be fine. The Olds while most will look like the devil is probably the best "student line" trumpet ever made. A middle school trumpet section full of Ambassadors would sound great! ( as far as the horn itself goes). As far as step up horns go, there are great horns out there from Cannonball and Getzen among others. And, although this will sound like a plug, if students are buying new then there is no line of horns better out there than the Kanstul. Their 700 series is as good if not better than most intermediate level trumpets (including the Yamaha) and can be bought, even in silver, at a fraction of the cost. The 900 series is also a fine instrument in the "step up" range, although it does cost a bit more than some other comparable horns (but for a dedicated student it is worth it). Music stores push the horns that they have to sell, obviously. And there is nothing wrong with that. But After several conversations on the subject I just felt like putting my two cents in and letting everyone know if you are a band director or have children of your own or in your family/friends circles that may be already playing trumpet or may in the future, there are lots of options out there!!
