Picture this.
You’re halfway through a practice session and things just aren’t working right. Maybe something in your sound or articulation has been off all week, and you’re not sure why. Perhaps it’s your gear, you think. Maybe it’s time to get a new horn, or at least a new mouthpiece. Maybe a new setup is the missing piece that will deliver you to trumpet greatness!
You put down your instrument, log onto eBay, and start browsing horns. Before you know it, you’ve wasted TWO HOURS scrolling mindlessly through listings…
Every trumpet player has experienced something like this at some point.
With an overwhelming amount of gear to choose from, it can seem like there’s always a better horn out there that will solve all your problems. More often than not, though, new equipment is not going to be an easy fix. Most of the time, your issues can be solved through practicing a bit more or adding the right new exercise to your routine. But how do you know for sure?
There’s Certainly No Substitute For Practice!
Before you start looking up new horns to shell out for, we suggest taking a look at how you’re practicing. Are you putting consistent time in on the horn? Do you have a routine that addresses the basic fundamentals of the instrument?
Be consistent.
Even just one or two exercises can make a huge difference if they’re approached on a regular basis.
Our Long Tones with Marquis Hill may be a simple exercise, but even simple long tones can have powerful effects on your sound, intonation, and more. Try practicing with Marquis every day. Be relaxed, be patient, and try to imagine the most beautiful trumpet sound you can while you play.
If you have consistency in your practice, you’ll have consistency in your technique. This will make it much easier to figure out which gear works for you when it’s time to find a new horn. A fancy car isn’t worth a lot if you haven’t regularly practiced driving, and a fancy new mouthpiece, while helpful in some ways, is never going to be a substitute for good old-fashioned long tones.
BUT Gear Does Matter…
It is true that different trumpets and mouthpieces offer very different playing experiences. Different plating, bore size, and bell shape all make a difference. It’s worth picking new equipment carefully.
There’s Never One Right Answer.
There are countless successful trumpet brands out there. Two of the most common are Bach and Yamaha, which offer a variety of well-made horns and mouthpieces for all levels of playing. There’s also Getzen, Schilke, Stomvi, Adams, Carol Brass… the list continues. Some brands, like Monette, offer high-end, gold-plated instruments for a pretty penny. Some models are discontinued, but popular on sites like eBay: whenever a Martin Committee or Conn Constellation shows up on the resale market, it’s an immediate hot item.
A Few Tips For Buying Something New:
- Seek out a private instructor or a teacher who knows your playing, and get advice from them.
- Ask your trumpet player friends if you can check out their horns or mouthpieces and compare with your current gear.
- Go in person to a local music shop to try horns and talk to the experts there.
- We recommend NYC’s J. Landress Brass or Kansas City’s Austin Custom Brass if you’re able to travel!
- Post in your favorite Facebook group or reddit thread for advice.
A New Horn Is Just The Beginning
It’s easy to be distracted by the countless types of gear out there. Even after you’ve done your research and found a trumpet that feels comfortable for you, it’s easy to keep wondering if another fancy horn could be even better. But at the end of the day, your sound, technique, and musicianship are determined by you, not the instrument. So next time you find yourself scrolling through listings online, make sure you’re at least following up with a nice set of LONG TONES!!!!
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