July 28, 2015
Trumpet Rentals
Advantages to Renting your Trumpet
For most aspiring musicians, kickstarting their musical journey begins with the purchase of their first musical instrument. When it comes to trumpets, however, this is not typically the case – in fact, most young brass and woodwind players rent their first instrument. Going with a trumpet rental has many upsides over buying one, and within this section we’ll explain why.
A Child’s Mind Can Change – Fast!
It’s a simple fact that needs to be faced – we were all kids at one point, so you’re aware of how quickly a child’s interest in something can quickly dwindle. Basically, going with a rental is a simple way to test the waters, to see how much time your youngster is willing to commit to practicing their trumpet skills, and to determine if it’s something that they want to continue with even well into their teens. And if they do lose interest, you can always have the choice of switching your trumpet with another instrument – quite often at no extra cost.
Renting Costs Less
This one is an obvious no-brainer, but renting a trumpet as opposed to buying one definitely keep more money in your wallet. Typically, trumpets can be rented for only $23 a month or less. In fact, when you’re ready to buy a trumpet, some shops will even allow you to apply a portion of your rental to the final purchase.
Trumpets – More Than One Type
There’s more than one type of trumpet. Here’s a list of the most popular kinds:
Bb: The type most commonly found, Bb trumpets are also what most entry-level players start with, since you’ll find a wide range of instructional material and music written specifically for this trumpet type.
C: Used often in orchestral settings, C trumpets are shorter than B-flat trumpets and their pitch and fingering also differ slightly.
D: While they were more popular in the 19th century, D trumpets are still used today, but a beginner student should only go with this type if they expect to play older, Baroque-style music.
There are other types as well, including E trumpets, Piccolo trumpets, Bass trumpets and more – each in a variety of finishes. The right one is best figured out by renting different types to see what the musician feels most comfortable with. Of course, as you’ve probably guessed by now, the Bb trumpet is the best one to go with if you’re in the market for a younger player.
Rental Packages
Now that you have an idea of why renting is better than buying for a beginner, here’s a few things to look for in the rental package itself.
Maintenance & Replacement Plan
With this plan, your trumpet can continue to play its best, and you also have the option to replace it in the event of it getting damaged or stolen.
Starter Packs
Most rental providers have a bundle of accessories you can purchase in addition to your rental that will save you time and money getting the supplies you need to be successful.
Short-term contracts
The idea of a rental is to see if the instrument is right for you. For this reason, you don’t want to be sucked into any long-term contracts. A contract that goes month to month would be perfect.
Upgrade Options
It was mentioned earlier that some music shops will let you put a portion of your rental fee to an actual trumpet purchase when you think you’re ready for an intermediate or professional horn. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with renting even after you’re well-versed with the instrument, and some students advance quicker than others – sometimes even before their first rental term has expired. In this case, an ideal rental package would let you upgrade to a higher quality horn when you’re ready.
Taking Care of Your Trumpet Rental
Just because the trumpet isn’t technically yours, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look after it. To avoid any additional charges – and to ensure you’re getting the most out of your playing experience – here are some care tips:
- Ensure the slides are well greased.
- Apply a cloth to eliminate excess oil and grease. Not doing so may cause the instrument’s metal to corrode over time.
- Oil the trumpet’s valves so they continue to move smoothly during a performance. This should be done 2-3 times weekly.
- Keep the instrument in its case when you’re not playing it.
- Don’t forget your Care Kit!
