What is the trumpet
The trumpet is the most important representative of the brass family of musical instruments. the air that is expelled through our mouth vibrates when we place our lips in the embouchure thus creating the sound. The air is distributed through the main duct upon coming into contact with the nozzle, whereupon it is then manipulated by the action of keys referred to as pistons. The musician's fingers press these keys, and various musical notes are produced depending on the force and depth of the action.
History of the trumpet
The Trupmet's origin can be traced back to the first organised hunting activities, which makes its history as old as civilization itself. In order to represent the first horns, bassoons, and trombones, it is believed that the earliest trumpets were constructed with ox horns and the largest with mammoth horns.
But this instrument started to take on its modern form during the Bronze Age. The people of Mesopotamia during this period of human history worshipped their gods with trumpets and other wind instruments.
Evolution of the trumpet
- Prehistory: the first trumpets were created with bison horns, such as Bos primigenius and Bos acutrifons, and It remained so until the Bronze Age.
- Bronze Age: trumpets were still maintaining the horn shape, and the combinations between horn and bronze were made to achieve a different sound quality.
- Iron Age: this age marked the beginning of a new way of manufacturing trumpets. It began to abandon the horn shape and started adopting something closer to the modern trumpet, although without pistons. It had holes like the flute instead of keys.
- Greece: an ancestor of the modern trumpet arose in Ancient Greece. It was known by the name ofsalpinx and its creation was made in honor of the goddess of war Athena.
- Roman Empire: the Romans incorporated their versions of the Greek and Etruscan trumpets in all the activities of the empire. It went by many names, including buccina, salpinx, and corna. The emperor's hall, governors' parties, and wars were all addressed in its usefulness.
- Middle Ages: With the understanding of various metals, a distinction between two families of wind instruments emerged. The trumpet would fall under the first category, while trombones and other wind instruments like bassoons would fall under the second. The clarion, the aafil (which is regarded as the first Spanish trumpet and was very popular in the royal court), the sacabuche (a double trumpet), and other trumpet types were all used during this time.
- Baroque: during this period trumpets began to be part of the compositions of Bach, Purcell, Scarllati, among others.
- Classicism: It was the golden age of the trumpet, since it was when it took its modern form. Anton Weidinger was the first innovator, incorporating three and four keys. Friedrich Blühmel and Heinrich Stölzel were designers of the piston system and J.P. Oates gave it one of the forms closest to the present one.
- 20th century: the trumpet became part of all orchestral compositions. It also expanded its use in big bands and in almost every musical genre of the century.
Parts of the trumpet
Despite what it seems at first glance, the trumpet is a complex instrument consisting of many parts:
- Mouthpiece: main inlet for the air expelled from the trumpeter's mouth.
- Valves or pistons: these parts of the trumpet are the keys in charge of shaping the sound. It is thanks to them that the trumpet player is able to execute the musical notes.
- Piston pumps: conduit through which the pistons move. In these a cushion of air is created which, according to the action of the pistons, will produce a specific musical note.
- Drain: key that allows the trumpet to be freed from the accumulation of saliva.
- Main pump: main pipe, located at the bottom of the trumpet. The first column of air is conducted through it.
- Rings: parts of the trumpet that allow to join all the pipes and keys.
- Perinet mechanism: set of parts where the piston pumps and valves are joined.
- Lyre: accessory in which the score of the musical composition to be performed is placed. It is used by marching band musicians or bands that perform street acts and cannot carry a music stand.
- Bell: the last section of the trumpet. Through it, the air is transformed into musical sound.
Scores for trumpet
Scores for trumpet often generate confusion, mainly because some very important terms are unknown. Therefore, we will give a short concept about each of them:
- Score: the entire composition written in the form of musical notation. That is, with figures representing time and written on lines or spaces representing musical notes.
- Staff system: a score can contain many staff systems. The system is only a fraction of all the staves that a score can contain.
- Time signature: two broken numbers written at the beginning of the staff. They can be 2/2, 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4, among others.
- Compás: fraction of the stave systems. Each system is composed of several measures that must represent what the time signature indicates. That is to say, if the time signature says 2/2, the sum of the musical figures located within that measure must be equal to 2/2, which is two half notes for each measure.
- Clef: a symbol or figure that is written at the beginning of the staff and before the time signature. This indicates the name to be given to the lines and spaces of the staff.
- Key signature: symbols such as sharp “#” or flat “b” are written after the time signature. They indicate the key in which the musical composition is found. For example, if it has none of these accidentals, then the composition is either in C major or in A minor, which is the relative minor of C.
- Transposition: this is something that is not indicated in the score, but it should be understood that it is present. For example, the trumpet is an instrument that can be tuned to Bb, which is half a note higher than the standard A tuning. Therefore, when a composition is played with the trumpet in C major, it can be reflected in the score in the key of D major. You can consult the following link to clarify many doubts regarding this issue.
If you want to download sheet music for trumpet, visit this link.
Transposition of sheet music for trumpet
As already mentioned, the trumpet is an instrument that can be tuned in Bb and Eb. On the trumpet, a score should be played as if the key signature were a major second below the written signature.
For example, when a trumpet score is written in C major key signature, it should be understood as B flat. This is because the major second is always one tone below that indicated in the writing. Another example is when a written piece is reflected in the key of D major and has accidentals in C# and F#. This should be played in C major.
This is a list of written key signatures and how they should be interpreted:
- C major: it is written without accidentals and is played in Bb. That is, with Bb and Eb accidentals.
- D major: in writing it appears with accidentals in C# and F#. It is played without accidentals, as in C major.
- E major: its key signature is with accidentals in F#, G#, C# and D#. However, only D major F# and C# accidentals are read and played.
- F major: the key signature reflects an alteration of Bb. It is played in all E flat major accidentals, i.e., Eb, F, G, L, Lb, Bb, C, D.
- G major: its key signature is written with F# alteration. It should be read as if it reflected the key signature of F major, i.e., with the Bb alteration.
- A major: it is written with C#, F# and G# accidentals. But it is read as G major, only with the alteration of F#.
- B major: it is written with sharp notes of C#, D#, F#, G# and A#. Although it is read only with the accidentals of A major, C#, F# and G#.
These are just a few but we must remember that there are fifteen key signatures for writing major and minor keys. Thus, there are fifteen ways to write and interpret the key signatures in a trumpet score.
Now, if you are looking for sheet music for trumpet, you can buy the best classical music here, here and here.
Types of trumpet
The trumpet can be classified by its tuning:
- Bb: tuned in B flat. The scores are read a major second below the written key signature.
- Eb: tuned in E flat. Scores are read a fair fifth below the clef key signature written on the staff.
- C: tuned to C major and read a minor second above the pitch reflected in the score.
Other types of trumpets
- Natural trumpet: the natural trumpet was an instrument without pistons for which Bach, Handel and other greats of the baroque period composed.
- Baroque: the baroque trumpet emerged in the 20th century as an imitation of the natural trumpet. Both are very similar but the modern version has holes to facilitate interpretation.
- C and Bb: these are the piston trumpets commonly used in most musical genres.
- Piccolo: it is also known as baroque trumpet since it is generally used to play difficult pieces of that period. It is the smallest of the trumpet family and produces the highest pitched sound.
- Bass trumpet: what characterizes it most is that its sound is an octave below the normal trumpet. That is why it also has a longer body.
- Pocket: this is a normal trumpet but in miniature. Its sound is equal to that of the common trumpet because the body, although shorter, has the same amount of pipes but distributed in more curves. Therefore it looks smaller than even the piccolo trumpet.
- Rod: it does not work with pistons but with a rod, just like the trombone. For this reason it is known as trombone or soprano trumpet.
How to play the trumpet
Mouth position
This comes first and you should practice without using the trumpet. Just remove the mouthpiece from the trumpet, place it on your lips and place them in the position they would take to pronounce the bilabial letter “m”. Then blow by varying the intensity in the air column and without changing the position of the lips.
Buzzing
This practice consists of keeping the lips in a bilabial “m” position and emulating the buzzing sound produced by bees. It is vital to maintain a regimen of this practice because it will allow you to establish a better command over the air column.
The first trumpet notes
To do this you must learn the position that the pistons adopt to produce each note. Listen to a tuned note, for example C, and then repeat with the trumpet until you reach the sound.
Scales
After learning the musical notes with the correct pitch, you are ready to practice the musical scales in major, minor, sharps and flats. Once you've mastered the scales, you'll be ready for your first song lines and finally be able to jazz in the best Miles Davis style.
Tips for the beginning trumpet player
- Buy a good trumpet: this is vital because it will depend on it to achieve a good sound in the most comfortable way possible. But with this comparison of the best trumpets on the market we make it easy for you.
- Buy a tuner with a metronome: a tuner will help you to hear the musical notes and compare them with those you repeat on your trumpet. These usually come with a metronome, which also helps you practice tempo in different measures of time signature and speed. The Korg TM-60 is one of the most recommended for wind instruments and has a built-in metronome.
- Record yourself: recording what you play and listening to yourself carefully will help you evaluate your sound, tempo and improve the areas you hear deficient.
Famous trumpet players
- Clark Terry: great jazz trumpeter who developed his style based on technical innovation. He also wrote books on music history and instrument learning.
- Harry James: in addition to being a great trumpet player, he was an excellent big band director.
- Herbert Goldberg: as a musician he won almost a dozen Grammys and numerous platinum records.
- Louis Armstrong: innovation was his trademark and each of his compositions is permeated by his musical virtuosity.
- Maurice André: scholar and virtuoso who developed his repertoire within the world of big bands. Although his passion was chamber music.
- Wynton Marsalis: this American trumpeter contributed with his impressive mastery of the instrument. But even more so by projecting other jazz artists.
- Nicholas Payton: is one of the great developers of contemporary jazz and stands out for his contribution to the evolution of the genre.
- Clifford Brown: he is considered one of the great legends of bebop and hard bop, although he died at the age of 25.
- Arturo Sandoval: is a Cuban trumpet player who is considered the greatest jazz musician of today.
- Miles Davis: explored all spectrums of jazz and developed countless innovative progressions that influenced many of the great modern trumpet players.
The best trumpet brands
- Yamaha: one of the biggest trumpet brands in the world. This company specializes in instruments for all levels of learning.
- Thomann: their specialty is mid-range instruments and they have a great quality-price ratio.
- Startone: Thomann's subsidiary brand that manufactures low-end instruments ideal for beginner trumpet players.
- Carol Brass: this Chinese trumpet brand specializes in brass instruments. Many of them are valued by great musicians in the world.
- B&S: is based in Shanghai and specializes in the manufacture of trumpets with high quality construction and sound.
- Bach: the full name of this company is Vincent Bach Stradivarius and it manufactures some of the most specialized trumpets in the world.
The best low-end trumpets:
- Startone STR 25 Bb-Trumpet
- Thomann TR 200 Bb-Trumpet
- Yamaha YTR-3335 Trumpet
- Carol Brass CTR-4000H-YSS-C-L Trumpet in C Major
The best mid-range trumpets:
The best high-end trumpets:
What is the best trumpet for beginners?
Startone STR 25 Bb-Trumpet
Excellent value for money.
The piston system requires constant maintenance.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: Brass, stainless steel, nickel silver.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 7 out of 10
- Weight: 1 .18 kg.
The confidence in the Startone brand lies in its dedication to making good, inexpensive trumpets for beginners. This Startone trumpet is one of the great favorites of teachers for their students and in this review we will explain why.
Materials
Three types of metals were used to manufacture this Startone trumpet, mainly brass. This is an alloy of copper and zin that offers durability, high corrosion resistance and good sound properties.
The valves are made of stainless steel as this part usually suffers a lot from saliva accumulation and generally rusts. But thanks to the material they are made of, they have a higher resistance to corrosion.
The third metal used in this Startone trumpet is alpaca, an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel. It is considered a cheap material but it is very resistant and goes excellent with the price of the trumpet and the type of user for which it is destined.
Design
This is a trumpet in B flat. It measures 49 cm long, 14.5 cm wide and 8 cm at the narrowest part. Its bell has an intermediate diameter of 12.4 cm, enough for students to have an acceptable sound. It weighs 1.8 kg, which is considered quite light. In other words, it is a perfect instrument for children who wish to enter the world of brass instruments.
An interesting detail is that the ring of the third tube is adjustable and allows the sound color to be varied. It also has a trigger on the first tube and the stainless steel mouthpiece has an easy-fit system for smoother tuning.
The only downside to the design is that several users have reported that the piston action can tend to bind. Fortunately no model has ever completely clogged, but it does require constant maintenance to avoid this type of inconvenience.
Sonido
When compared to a mid-range trumpet, it becomes clear that the Startone STR 25 Bb trumpet has several shortcomings. The sustain does not have the richness that is so sought after, and the same is true of the reverb.
However, it is a low-end instrument for beginners. This is the reason why it is considered a suitable sound for its price and target audience.
The volume is quite good and offers a fully audible rubato, albeit a bit heavy. That's why we think it's great for marching bands and moderately for chamber compositions.
Its high notes are quite good and benefit styles such as bebop and blues, but it does not go so well with improvisations, as the slowness of the sound impairs the agility needed for this.
Conclusión
The Startone STR-25 trumpet is one of the best choices because it has several elements that separate it from the competition. Its materials offer a combination of hardness and corrosion resistance, it is inexpensive and has a sound to match its price. This makes it ideal for beginner musicians. Find the best price at Thomann.
Thomann TR 200 Bb-Trumpet
Good construction and very good sound for its price.
None.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, stainless steel and nickel silver.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 9 out of 10 (within its price range).
- Weight: 1 .3 kg.
Thomann remains faithful to its purpose of creating good quality products at an affordable price. This particular trumpet has almost the same characteristics as the Startone STR-25. However, its sound is far superior and this is due to the design aspects that we will describe. We consider it to be the best trumpet for the price of the brand.
Materials
The good and cheap Thomann TR-200 trumpets are made of the same materials as the Startone STR-25: brass in the socket tubes, stainless steel in the valves and nickel silver in the outer tubing. Despite the accuracy of the materials, the sound responses are totally different.
Design
This is a B flat trumpet and is considered the successor of the Thomann TR-4. This is due to its higher quality materials and also to the fact that the measurement and sound characteristics are much better.
Several considerable improvements are noted in this Thomann beginner trumpet series and one example is the valve action. These are smoother thanks to the incorporation of a higher quality mute mechanism that also reduces valve noise.
It has an adjustable ring on the third tube to calibrate the distance and obtain a better fixation and sound quality. It also has a trigger on the first tube that pulls out the pump and counterweights.
The bell of this beginner trumpet measures 12.5 cm, the S-pipe 11 cm and the wall thickness at the bell's tympanum is 0.45 cm. It is also 50 cm long, 14 cm wide and 8.5 cm in the narrowest region.
Sonido
These good, inexpensive trumpets are superior in sound to the Startone STR-25, and this is due to the size and caliber of their materials. The Thomann TR 200 Bb is one centimeter longer and this longer travel distance provides a clearer sound with better treble presence.
It is also narrower, which implies a sound with greater compression and is audible in the volume of the instrument. In addition, the caliber of its metals is larger, which gives more stability and body to the sound.
These elements make these good and inexpensive trumpets an instrument with very good sustain and that benefits the sounds with sustain. The reverb is also excellent for blues compositions and for creating bendings with agile rubatos. Consequently, we can say that it is a relatively versatile beginner trumpet, as the dynamics of its sound is evident.
Conclusión
The Thomann TR-200 has excellent features and represents one of the best options for beginner musicians. Although we also recommend it for intermediate and advanced trumpet players who are looking for an instrument to play during practice sessions or to have as a backup in case of emergencies. Find the best Thomann trumpet price on this link.
Now, if what you want is to buy a trumpet tuned in C major, then you have an excellent proposal in the Thomann TR-600 M C-Trumpet.
Yamaha YTR-3335 Trumpet
The sound is amazing.
It is expensive compared to the competition.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, monel.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 10 out of 10 within its range.
- Weight: 1.56 kg.
Yamaha has a proven tradition in the manufacture of brass instruments. It is true that some of them are not exactly good and even disappoint in many cases. However, this proposal is different in many aspects that we will describe in this review.
Materials
This Yamaha beginner trumpet has many of its parts in brass. However, the type of alloy used is of the Cu 66 and Zn 34 class, which is top of the line and offers the best anti-corrosion and sound capability. We also found an unusual material such as monel.
This is one of the most anti-corrosive and hardest alloys in the industry, but its price is high and that is why this Yamaha trumpet is more expensive than the low-end offerings of the competition.
Design
It is tuned in B flat, so it is a common trumpet. However, it has an exquisite design that justifies its price. The opening gauge on the mouthpiece is 11.65 cm, while the circumference of the bell is 12.3 cm, so it slightly exceeds the measurements of competing bells and gains greater sonority.
Another interesting aspect of this beginner trumpet is that the socket tube is a Yamaha patented “Reversed Typ” design. It offers a more durable grip and reduces air leakage.
A support was adapted to the tuning pump to make it easier to achieve and maintain it for much longer. Although users have expressed that they do not feel any difference with respect to other trumpets of the competition that do not have this system.
The hood was designed in two pieces and this allows a better distribution of the air column. The monel valves slide more comfortably and this facilitates the pulsation of the pistons. Also, the piston cover and pushbuttons have a more ergonomic design and action found on mid-range trumpets.
It incorporates two drain keys and an adjustable ring on the first piston that allows the action to be adjusted according to the musician's preference. It also includes a Yamaha TR11B4 mouthpiece that enjoys a good reputation among master trumpet players.
Sonido
As far as sound is concerned, this is an entry-level trumpet that outperforms its rivals in every way. The volume is solid, powerful and remains balanced both in the low notes and in the middle or high notes. The sustain has an enveloping capability that is enhanced with the help of the reverb.
This is especially beneficial when performing bebop jazz and neo funk songs because it demands a compact, powerful and modern sound.
The action of the monel pistons, combined with the action of the keys, produces extraordinary groupings. You can achieve techniques that are difficult to achieve with a lower quality trumpet and explore the horizons of your creativity with as few limitations as possible.
Conclusión
The Yamaha YTR-3335 is the best value for money trumpet for beginners. Its sound quality and the combination of two unique materials is what makes this quality at the service of music possible.
That is why, although it is a trumpet for beginners, it is easily a trumpet for intermediate and advanced players, perhaps the best value for money trumpet in this range. Interested? Find the best trumpet price at thomann.
You also have other similar trumpet options, such as the Yamaha YTR-4435 SII Trumpet. It is silver plated has a sound color more suitable for traditional jazz while the Yamaha YTR-4335 GSII Trumpet is better for blues. The Yamaha YTR-4335 GII Trumpet offers a much clearer sound in the high notes and the Yamaha YTR-3335S Trumpet is better suited to chamber repertoire, mainly for the romantic.
Carol Brass CTR-6580H-GLS(D)-C-S B-Stock
Its sound is excellent.
The piston action is somewhat heavy. It is expensive compared to the competition.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: stainless steel, brass, monel.
- Tuning: C major.
- Sound: 10 out of 10.
- Weight: 1 .5 kg.
You should not underestimate this Chinese-made trumpet, as it has a quality comparable to the Yamaha YTR-3335. This is due to the composition of its materials and the high quality of its sound that make it a headache for the competition.
Materials
The Carol Brass CTR-6580H is made primarily of high performance brass. This is one of the best alloys for the manufacture of mid-range trumpets, although this proposal is classified as low-end. It has monel valves, one of the materials with the highest resistance to oxidation. In addition, its surface is so smooth that it provides many ergonomic benefits.
As for the pistons, they are made of stainless steel and therefore heavier. Thanks to this combination of materials, this trumpet offers one of the best dynamic responses for air distribution. So the sound will be the biggest beneficiary.
Design
This is a trumpet in C major. The bore is medium large with 460″ thickness and the brass bell is 5″, which is the standard size. Due to the stainless steel piston design, the pistons have a slightly heavy action. But they respond very well in fast progressions that are ideal for free jazz.
It also has a Carol Brass C3 type mouthpiece, which is an equivalent to the Yamaha TR11B4. In general, its measurements are almost standard: 51 cm long and 12 cm high. On the other hand, it has a transparent lacquer finish that reveals the full color of the metals.
Sonido
The sound of this trumpet is most enjoyable because the volume quality is stable throughout. The passages between the low, mid and high frequencies maintain an excellent sonic balance that is similar to that of the Yamaha YTR-3335 trumpet. But they differ in the color of the sound, which in the Carol Brass trumpet is creamier and somewhat heavier.
The sustain is awesome and the reverb has a harsh sound that goes great with blues and hard jazz. However, and due to the weight in sound, the classic repertoire fits great. You can take advantage of this instrument for many genres because it has versatility. However, for fast phrases it can fall a bit short, so it is not conducive to free jazz.
Some techniques, such as grouping, can be cumbersome, but with practice you will be able to execute them with ease. The rubato sounds great and will be a great ally for classic blues lines. If you are thinking of buying this trumpet you should consider what kind of repertoire you would like to play. If you want to play a genre or musical pieces that require speed and your technique is not very advanced, it may be best to evaluate other options.
Conclusión
This is an excellent trumpet for beginners. Its materials are very good and the design keeps excellent qualities that favor the sound. Its sound quality is ideal for musicians thinking about repertoires of any musical genre, but focused on compositions that demand more harmony and less speed. Interested? Check out the best trumpet price at Thomann.
Which trumpet to buy?
Each of the four low-end proposals we have presented has its strengths. The Startone STR 25 Bb beginner trumpet and the Thomann TR 200 Bb have a good construction and the price is excellent, although between the two we prefer the Thomann.
The Yamaha YTR-3335 and the Carol Brass CTR-6580H are instruments that are above their ratings and sound like the best value trumpet you will find in the entry level range. Both are excellent proposals that will not disappoint you.
The best mid-range trumpets
These mid-range trumpets stand out for having materials with better characteristics, exceptional sound quality and a dynamic response that at times borders on the high end.
Carol Brass CTR-9990H-RSM-Bb-L
The sound and construction are great. Its quality-price ratio is exceptional.
The reverb is excellent but is not so good with fast lines.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, stainless steel, monel.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 10 out of 10 within its range.
- Weight: 1.5 kg
The manufacturer Carol Brass has created an instrument that is excellent in every part. This trumpet fits perfectly into the mid-range classification because it offers all the necessary features to be so. Discover its features in this review.
Materials
The base material is brass, the most commonly used in this range. The characteristics of this type of brass make it superior to those described in the low-end section. Its resistance to torsion is about 1000 kg per square centimeter, while its caliber makes it a more elastic and stable material.
Stainless steel is also common in the lower ranges. But in this trumpet the AISI 316 type is used, which contains a higher degree of chromium and addition of molybdenum. This means that its corrosion resistance is superior, while its hardness is the highest in the musical instrument market.
Another material used is monel, which has become very popular in mid and high-end instruments. Its ability to resist the pH of our saliva is proven and allows a longer durability than any other metal.
Design
It is a trumpet in B flat. The drill is medium large in size , although it is slightly larger than in all previous proposals. It measures 11.7 cm, while the bell measures 12.7 cm. The trumpet is 53 cm long and 12 cm wide. This means that it is large compared to the models described above and therefore its sound is of higher quality.
The tudel has an inverted design so that the air enters in an upward-descending manner and creates a higher pressure to project the sound. On the other hand, the stainless steel piston action offers a faster response than in the Carol Brass CTR 4000.
Another significant aspect is that it retains the 3C mouthpiece that has earned the trust of many trumpet masters. As a bonus, it has three ultra-slim pushbuttons that offer a quick and dynamic response for quick notes.
Sonido
Its sound is excellent because the sustain is not exaggerated and remains balanced in slow lines. But it has a short duration, which is noticeable in fast sentences. The reverb is pronounced and is better on the rubatos, although not so much on the fast lines. However, for the high notes it is aggressive and has excellent punch.
Now, the transition between the different sound frequencies is pleasant because it creates a kind of elongation between the previous note and the next one. This is useful for compositions of the free jazz or chamber music type of the baroque period.
Likewise, it is important to highlight that its sonorous versatility is suitable for any genre. But it is heard less worked with blues, delta blues, free jazz, funk jazz and compositions from the baroque period. These are the ones that can benefit the most from the excellent high-pitched sound to which this trumpet responds.
Conclusión
It is undoubtedly one of the best trumpets for intermediate level musicians. Its sound capacity is unquestionable: if you are an intermediate musician, you need this quality in your life. But if you are a professional and want to buy a trumpet to play it, it is also excellent for you. Interested? Find the best trumpet price at Thomann.
You can also choose the Carol Brass CTR-4002H-GST-C-L, a trumpet tuned in C major.
B&S 3137-S Challenger I S
The sound is balanced, powerful and of good quality.
It is expensive. The pipes are made of nickel silver. The sustain is not the best.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, monel, nickel silver.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 10 out of 10.
- Weight: 1.52 kg.
With this instrument we overcome the barrier of one thousand euros because it is a brand with greater prestige and in many cases has a higher quality than the competition. The B&S brand wastes no time in manufacturing an instrument that goes beyond materials and offers everything you need.
Materials
Its body is made entirely of high-density brass, as it has a higher percentage of copper. This makes it harder and louder than ordinary brass. The valves are made of monel, one of the best metal alloys for its superior corrosion resistance. In addition, its surface is very smooth, so that the execution is not interrupted by friction or other physical phenomena.
All external tubing is made of nickel silver. This material is not at all common in mid-range instruments, because it is used only in the low range. However, this is because the manufacturer B&S classifies this trumpet as an instrument for beginners and not for intermediate players.
Design
This is a B flat trumpet with slightly smaller dimensions than the standard trumpet. For example, the caliber is medium large of 11.66 mm in most of its pipes and this produces an air column with higher pressure. Its bell is 12.2 cm, 3 mm less than the standard and produces the same phenomenon as the caliber: the air column is more compressed and therefore has a higher outlet pressure.
Monel valves have a more slippery surface finish that reduces friction. This allows for a faster key action, which benefits phrases with groupets, seisillos, and snappy tempos. On the other hand, the finish is delicate and well worked. Weighs approximately 1.5 kg.
Sonido
The sound is powerful, which is mainly due to the caliber of its pipes. Thanks to the slight reduction in dimensions, the air column favors high frequencies. Likewise, the mids and lows have a good sonic balance.
As far as tuning is concerned, this B&S trumpet offers stable transitions that keep a great balance and maintain good pressure due to the caliber of its tubing. That's why the reverb has a harsh sound that goes great with bluegrass and free jazz. The sustain is not the best of all, but it does have an excellent balance with the reverb. This produces mid-frequency sounds reminiscent of the colors of baroque music.
Conclusión
This is a trumpet with a good round sound and an excellent relationship between each of its parts. In addition, the design favors the interpretation of various musical genres and this is understood as versatility. If you are an intermediate trumpet player, this proposal is one of the great options you should consider. Have you got your teeth set on edge? Find the best trumpet price at Thomann.
Bach VBS 1S Trumpet
The sound is classic and beautiful.
The materials used are common. It is expensive compared to the competition.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, monel.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 10 out of 10.
- Weight: 1.38 kg.
The Bach brand is considered one of the best in the world. Professional trumpet players love it because its sound quality is exceptional and it offers a valve dynamics that stands out for the quality of its characteristics. Let's see what makes Bach one of the greatest and best valued by professional musicians.
Materials
The Bach VBS 1S trumpet looks like the most common thing in the world. Its entire body is made of high-density brass, so you can be sure of its durability and anti-corrosive capability. The valves are made of monel, which, as mentioned above, has the best oxidation resistance of all alloys.
Design
It is a trumpet tuned in B flat, the most used by all the musical bands in the world. The pipe has a reduced caliber of 11.66 mm, while its measurements are a bit long: 54 cm long, 11 cm high and the bell is 12.22 cm made in one piece. Therefore, it is classified as medium large.
It has no special keys and only features a third slip ring to add convenience to the valve action. This is further enhanced by the monel valves which, thanks to their sliding capability, offer smoother movement.
Sonido
Due to the caliber of its tubing, the air column produces high-quality high-pitched sounds with a powerful volume. The standard size bell, but with thicker brass, provides great stability for the sound. Also, the sonic transitions between the low and mid frequencies produce a sound that is ideal for classic blues.
Its great response to high notes is what is required for the solo trumpet in a big band. But it also offers good results for chamber repertoires, because its response to the low and middle notes meets the demands of the baroque. While treble power is what is needed for classical and romantic repertoire.
The sustain is not as pronounced as in competitive trumpets, but it provides a sound cushion that produces a pleasant aural sensation. Similarly, the reverb is powerful and gives a nasal sound for low and middle notes, while offering an aggressive sonic color for jazz.
Conclusión
This Bach trumpet has a characteristic and more versatile sound than the other mid-range trumpets described. Although the materials used for its manufacture are common and it has no special keys added, it does offer sound quality backed by the measurements and caliber. Have you got your teeth set on edge? Find the best trumpet price at Thomann.
Which trumpet to buy?
The three proposals described are excellent within their range because they offer premium materials with a beautiful design. However, each of them offers particular sonic nuances that go well with specific musical styles. That is why to choose the best trumpet for the best price you must first decide which musical genre you will mainly play.
The best high-end trumpets
Now we reach the highest range in trumpets and we will describe only one of them belonging to Yamaha. This trumpet is considered the best trumpet manufactured by this Japanese company. Although its general characteristics are totally common and the same as the mid-range ones, the final sound is something that can only be explained as the result of Yamaha's experience.
Yamaha YTR-8335RGS 04
Yamaha's best sound.
It is expensive.
Technical Characteristics:
- Materials: brass, monel, silver.
- Tuning: B flat.
- Sound: 10 out of 10.
- Weight: 1 .4 kg.
Yamaha has a large number of products in stock but few have received as much praise as this classical trumpet. We will describe its particular characteristics in order to understand where the excellent sound it produces comes from. It is the best trumpet in the world in its price range.
Materials
It is made of a brass described by the manufacturer as “xeno”, a material patented by Yamaha. Not much can be said about it, as there are no specifications, but users have expressed that its weight is higher than in trumpets of other brands.
Pistons and keys are made of monel. We have already seen that it is one of the most appreciated alloys for the manufacture of these parts because it provides greater durability and better resistance to oxidation. Its finish is a silver plating that does not contribute anything to resistance, but to aesthetics and sound quality.
Design
It is a trumpet in B flat. It has a heavier weight with denser gauge materials, as well as more curved and defined profiles. This allows the sound to be better distributed throughout the interior of the instrument. The design of the tuning pump is inverted and musicians have expressed that it is easier to tune this way.
It also features an ultra-lightweight design on the piston housing, a support on the tuning pump, a longer length key for the drain and two locking positions on the third piston slider.
As far as measurements are concerned, the bore is slightly larger than other Yamaha trumpets, at 11.65 mm. The bell is 12.3 cm and the instrument measures 52 cm long, 11.5 cm wide and weighs 1.4 kg. The company includes a 16C4 nozzle and a TRC-800E series double hard case.
Sonido
This trumpet has a classic jazz sound because it offers a sustain that is maintained with the same degree at all sound frequencies. The reverb is quite dynamic because in the high notes it feels powerful, but you can play with its intensity in the middle/bass notes.
The transition of the notes is perceptible even if you are performing fast techniques such as the grupeto. This is why users consider it to have the roundest sound among Yamaha trumpets. Generally speaking, it is an instrument that fits all kinds of musical styles, although we particularly like it for all chamber repertoire. It also goes great with bebop and traditional jazz.
Conclusión
Yamaha has gone all out with this trumpet whose sound can only be explained by the experience of the designers. It does not use unique materials for its manufacture and its measurements are medium. Nevertheless, the sound is a total blast: balanced, with great volume, exceptional sustain and the reverb adjusts with the intensity of the touch.
If you are a professional musician, you need this trumpet in your life. It is one of the best trumpets in the world. Do you like it? Find the best trumpet price at Thomann.
Another excellent choice from Yamaha and one that enjoys impressive acceptance is the Yamaha YTR-8310 Z 03. It offers the same sound quality found in the Yamaha YTR-8335RGS, but with stunning and beautiful aesthetics. It is also a Bobby Shew signature model with large measurements.
Visit our culturasonora page, there you will find complete reviews of the best wind instruments on the market. We recommend you to check out our comparisons of the best clarinets and didgeridoos.
Technical characteristics Trumpet
MODELOS | Materiales | Afinación | Peso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startone STR 25 Bb | Latón, acero inoxidable, alpaca | si bemol | 1,18 kg |
| Thomann TR 200 Bb | Latón, acero inoxidable, alpaca | si bemol | 1,3 kg |
| Yamaha YTR-3335 | Latón, monel | si bemol | 1,56 kg |
| Carol Brass CTR-4000H-YSS-C-L | Acero inoxidable, latón, monel | do mayor | 1,5 kg |
| Carol Brass CTR-5000L-YLS-Bb-L | Acero inoxidable, latón, monel | si bemol | 1,5 kg |
| B&S 3137-S Challenger I S | Latón, monel, alpaca | si bemol | 1,52 kg |
| Bach VBS 1S | Latón, monel | si bemol | 1,38 kg |
| Yamaha YTR-8335RGS 04 | Latón, monel, plata | si bemol | 1,4 kg |