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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

Trumpet Query

13 replies

itsbritneybeyatch · 05/07/2018 20:10

My son is just going into year 1 . He has been begging and pleading since he was 3 to learn how to play the trumpet. I now have an opportunity for him to have lessons with a new neighbour. However, a friend told me he should not start until he has his adult front teeth. Is this correct? He currently just has his baby teeth. I have googled but getting conflicting advice. Thanks in advance.
IBB

OP posts:

ellesbellesxxx · 05/07/2018 20:38

That’s the advice the brass teacher at my school always gave

bigbluebus · 05/07/2018 21:01

My DS played trumpet from age 8. When I phoned around and found a trumpet teacher the 1st question I was asked was whether or not DS had his front adult teeth yet. So there must be a good reason- although DS is an adult now so I can't remember what the reason was.

SE13Mummy · 06/07/2018 00:26

There are differing schools of thought on this issue these days. It used to be the case that brass teachers tended to say children shouldn't start a brass instrument until they had at least the front 4 adult teeth but it's less of a thing now.

Five is young to be learning the trumpet which is a heavy instrument so, if he is going to learn, a cornet or tenor horn will probably be easier for him to hold (unless he's going to learn on a pTrumpet). Be aware that he's unlikely to make any progress for the time that he's missing his front four teeth as there's nothing for the lips to press against - the trumpet mouthpiece rests against the lips so loss of teeth can have a significant impact on the mouth position (embouchure). Both my DDs play brass and started at 7.5 or thereabouts. DD1 lost her canines and six other teeth within a period of about six weeks during which time her lips ached enormously whenever she played.

If you think your son has the resilience to persist and to not be put off for life, the teeth issue may not rear its head... if the teacher is willing to teach someone so young.

Original poster

itsbritneybeyatch · 06/07/2018 05:05

Thank you all. Really appreciate the advice. Looks like he may have to wait a bit longer!

OP posts:

Crazygirlmama · 06/07/2018 07:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

schooltripwoes · 06/07/2018 08:10

It's very hard to relearn technique so I'd say yes, wait until the big teeth are there. If there's any interest, I'd get him learning piano for the time being. It would offer a good introduction to reading music etc. and will make the first trumpet lessons much easier.

1805 · 07/07/2018 13:06

I wouldn't teach a year 1 child. get him going on the recorder first and learn to read the music. General music classes help with learning rhythm and pitch.

Possibly look at a Ptrumpet for year 2.

Original poster

itsbritneybeyatch · 07/07/2018 13:53

Thanks all. Think I’m definitely going to wait and possibly try and refocus him on a different instrument first .

OP posts:

Witchend · 07/07/2018 23:28

I've a trumpeter. She started at 8yo, but when dh was desperate to learn when he was 6yo they said wait until they're 12yo and the teeth are settled in. He was told to learn piano while he waited-and actually found he preferred it when it came to it.

Trumpetboysmum · 08/07/2018 07:18

Hi my Ds is a trumpet player . He started with county lessons and they won't teach anyone before Year 4 - so at least aged 8 because of the teeth issue . Also Ds was quite small for his age when he was 8 and so he started in the cornet which he found easier - moved to the trumpet when he was 10 .

Trumpetboysmum · 08/07/2018 07:20

I think learning another instrument first and focussing on general music skills would be a good idea. Most don't start trumpet till a bit later than say piano or violin and it makes no difference in the long run

PatricksViolin · 08/07/2018 21:38

I think starting too early can be counterproductive for certain instruments. It's not impossible but waiting can be more gains especially if you use the waiting time efficiently such as focusing on general musicianship or taking up other instruments like piano. Though it could lead to change a plan. DS wanted to play trumpet when he was little so he got a toy trumpet from Father Christmas and started violin instead as he was also begging violin lesson for a while. It's become his main instrument and he even can't remember he was asking about trumpet now.

ThreeAndUs · 08/07/2018 23:24

Hi, I'm a trumpet teacher and plastic trumpets are great for younger/smaller learners but go for a tromba trumpet or even tromba cornet as they have metal valves and work much better than the ptrumpet valves. My son started when he was 7 on a ptrumpet, we changed to the tromba trumpet when he was 8, and then when he was 9 he got his first proper trumpet. He's not had a problem with the teeth issue so far. He was already learning piano so picking trumpet up was made easier by already being able to read the notes.

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