Has anyone taught themselves a brass instrument?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I’ve always loved brass and started learning the cornet about 18 months ago.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the lessons then Covid hit so I stopped and also couldn’t really play with everyone at home.

I’ve played the piano and clarinet in the past so can read music.

I’d like to give it another go maybe just teaching myself at home with the book.

Anyone any experience of this?

I haven't taught myself a brass instrument no but thought I'd pop in and give my two cents. I am wind player (woodwind though not brass) with a music degree and still play although my work is not related to music.

The real thing you have to consider is how proficient you want to be. There are plenty of resources out there to teach yourself - I taught myself flute and saxophone after years of clarinet lessons, but my goal was never to play them to the same standard that I played clarinet. If I wanted to play them ''seriously', I would have had lessons. I felt I knew enough woodwind (and reed) technique to be able to learn the instruments to a decent standard, but no way as good as my clarinet playing.

If you honestly don't care how good you might become or how off your technique might be, then there's no harm in trying to learn without lessons! You of course have instrumental experience and can read music, and you've had lessons before. However, personally I would recommend you to opt for lessons, at least just for a few more months just to get the ball rolling, make sure your technique is coming along well. After that you can either carry on with lessons if you wish or decide to go solo. From what I gather it's just as a fun hobby for you so further lessons may not necessarily be required after an initial few months, although of course they'd help.

Just on another note, I had clarinet lessons for 10 years before uni with an amazing teacher and I loved lessons. At uni I had another teacher and she was still great don't get me wrong, but the lessons just weren't the same and I wouldn't look forward to them. Trying a different teacher may help how you see lessons.

I bought myself a saxophone years ago, and a load of music books and had fun.
I already played recorders (all of them) and read music so just had to get the fingerings and the extra top/bottom notes.
I enjoyed playing, but would have needed lessons to be any good. I just googled for my own amusement - I managed Baker Street and a mean rendition of "One of my turns" from The Wall

Googled? Tootled!

Hope you've got patient neighbours OP!

Thank you, really helpful. I don't aim to be amazing, I just want to get to a decent standard so I can join a brass band!

I haven't actually got the instrument out for ages, not the sort of thing you can do with 4 other people at home!

When they go back after Easter I'll give it a go I think.

Good luck, the cornet is a great instrument and any playing, regardless of how serious you're taking it, is just meant to be good fun! I'm with you though because I despite playing when others are in the house.

Despise* !!!