Pros and Cons of learning to play the trumpet?

Question

I've been thinking of learning the trumpet for a while now. I really love jazz and church music and I thought it would be an appropriate instrument to learn. I played the piano for about 5 years so I can read music, and I know plenty of scales; but are there any other things I should know about the trumpet before I try to learn it?

Well I'm not looking to do it as a career, but as a hobby.

Answer 1

its a cool instrument i'd love to try and learn it. looks difficult though, especially for smokers.
you'll be able to play this - "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee" from the opera "The Tale of Tsar Saltan"
that tune rocks.

Answer 2

I decided to learn the trumpet 3 years ago, so I bought a used one, and a beginner's book and just "went at it". My goal was to be able to play my college fight-song at football (away) games, which I have done several times, now.

Now, like you I knew piano/keyboard, but I played the trombone since 4th grade (so I had a 'lip' up on you). It wasn't hard, at all, to pick up the trumpet. Now, except for a few memorized songs, I can still play stuff out of the beginner's book quite well.

One other thing -- my brother plays the trumpet (at a professional level), so he gave me alot of 'pointers'. I still don't think that made it any easier to "get it" though.

I still play my trombone in a local jazz band, because that's where my compentacy is.

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Answer 3

trumpet plays in the key of Bb where as piano is in the key of C. therefore, the scales are gonna be a little different.

pros -
youll get the melody a lot
there are lots of trumpet players around, so youll be able to get advice or lessons easily

cons -
your chops are gonna hurt like crazy for a few days

hope this helps. good luck!

Answer 4

Pros - There are a lot of great jazz trumpet players to draw inspiration from. Heres some of my favorites:
Miles Davis
Dizzy Gillespie
Wynton Marsalis
Freddie Hubbard
Louie Armstrong
Randy Brecker
Roy Hargrove
Clark Terry

Cons - Your lips may be sore at first. I really don't know this. I play guitar myself.

Answer 5

I myself play trumpet and it is INCREDIBLE!!!! It is actually an easy instrument to play. You can play just about any genre of music. And, also since you do have some experience with piano, it will be MUCH easier for you to read the music. If you also want more suggestions, try visiting your local music store, such as Mills Music, Kennelly Keys, etc. Good luck and hope you decide to play it!

Answer 6

its a big jump from playing notes with your hands on piano and forming notes with your mouth. I played trombone for 7 years and I changed to bass guitar and guitar and there was a huge difference, it will take time to learn the trumpet but it can be really fun

Answer 7

Pros- You'll always get melody
Trumpet is powerful

Cons- You'll always get melody
Trumpet is powerful

Yeah playing trumpet is really a double-edged sword. There's also a LOT of trumpet players around, so getting any sort of gigs unless you're good. That's why I switched to euphonium :)

Answer 8

I've been playing for at least 12 years, I've played in a jazz ensamble for two years, marching band 4 years as well as a concert band.
I still don't know all of the notes but I love it. Being able to control breathing and articulations, intonations, key changes, tempo all of that and just getting fimilar with everything. Mouth muscles too.. I know it sounds strange but it's true, you get mouth muscles.
Do it, have fun!

Answer 9

CON: you're gonna play trumpet.
Pro : Switching to Sax

Answer 10

pros.
its a great experience
you usually get girls
its fun
you get the melody all the time
if your good and your in band, its solo time.

cons.
ur lips hurt at first.
if your not good, your part sucks.

advice.
get a beginner trumpet at first, so if you dont like it, it wont be a major investment