Trumpets come in three basic levels of quality: Student, Intermediate, and Professional.

Student trumpets are built with economy as a primary feature. But, like all things, if economy is the only feature, the instrument suffers, making it difficult and frustrating to play. This too often will result in the beginner quitting, thinking music just isn’t for them, when a properly made trumpet would have kept them going. Quality new student trumpets should cost from $350.00 to $650.00.

Features, benefits, and results:

• Free working valves are essential. This means there will be no problems playing from note to note. Sticking valves prevent the ease of playing music. Very frustrating!!
• Proper fit and finish of the valves is also essential. No air leakage allows the notes to speak cleanly and accurately. Leaky valves cause the tone to smear and sound airy. If the valve isn’t fit properly, the holes in the valve won’t line-up with the bore of the trumpet, making the horn sound stuffy. The end result is that the player may quit.
• Quality brass provides flexibility with strength. Low quality brass is too soft, robbing the horn of tone, plus making repairs near impossible.
• Consistency of design and manufacture is also important and also means that parts will be available. Some instrument makers come out with a totally new design every year, making parts replacement and therefore repairs impossible. These are disposable trumpets.

What does all of this tell me?

As you can see, there is a great deal involved with the making of a trumpet, not to mention the actual playing of the trumpet! We haven’t even talked about lead pipes, finishes, and mouthpieces. Bronstein Music strongly feels that the decision to purchase a musical instrument over the web needs to be heavily tempered with the actual, hands-on playing of the instrument. No two will play exactly the same, and while many fine manufacturers are very consistent with their quality, the human body is very good at feeling differences.