Trumpet Accessories for Beginners

Photo credit: brillisbeasty on flickr

Accessories which are designed and sold for the trumpet player can be as endless as fashion accessories available to women. Each is professed to be absolutely essential for a good performance. And in the same way some fashion accessories in women are useful and sometimes just stupid, so it is true in the trumpet world.

In order to simplify the many offerings, I will divide them into two categories – “must have accessories” and “nice to have accessories”.

“Must Have” Trumpet Accessories for Beginners

• Trumpet cleaning kit- Most manufacturers include a cleaning kit with the new instrument. This kit will contain the following items- a trumpet snake (a long, metal spring with brushes attached to each end), valve oil, slide grease, a mouthpiece brush, a valve cleaning brush, instructions, and a polishing rag.

• Trumpet Mute – The beginning student will be expected to own and use a mute which is inserted into the bell and changes the volume as well as the tone of the instrument. Composers indicate muted sections with the word “mute” and indicate the removal of the mute with the word “open”. Even though there are numerous types of mute available, only the straight mute will be required for the younger player. Most music stores will have the straight mute manufactured by the Humes & Berg company and this will work well for the beginner for it is a good, serviceable mute. Usually the more advance players will upgrade to a higher quality and more expensive mutes.

“Nice to Have” Trumpet Accessories for Beginners

• Jo Ral Grime Gutters – If, after playing for a long period of time the oil from the valves begins to drip on your lap this will prevent it from soiling your cloths. It is an attachment that slips over the bottom of the valve section and catches the excessive oil.

• Leather Specialties Special Trumpet Hand Guard – Hands perspire and perspiration can affect the surface of your instrument. Most people have no problems as long as the surface of the instrument is washed periodically. For those like me, the acid in the system can eat into the surface and create premature wear. This attachment is wrapped around the contact points were you hold the instrument.

• Brasswind Silver Trumpet Protector Bag – This soft bag is used to protect silver plated trumpets from minor scratches while being stored in its case.

• Bach Instrument Polishing Gloves – This is just an easier way to polish a trumpet

• Yamaha Professional Cleaning Cloth – If your trumpet is silver plated, get it and use it.

• Bach 1800B Mouthpiece Spray – This is used to keep your mouthpiece smelling fresh and clean.

• Yamaha Lacquer Polish – A regular coat of polish will prolong the appearance of lacquered instruments. Most furniture polish will work as well.

• Woodwind & Brasswind Leather Mouthpiece Pouches – Mouthpiece protectors do exactly what they say they do but in most cases, the young student will either have his/her mouthpiece in the horn or stored in the case so a pouch, although appealing, is not essential.

• Herco Trumpet Spitballs – When these were first introduced, we all had to have them. The concept is this- between regular, full cleanings, you placed one of these small, barrel shaped, cleaner impregnated foam into your lead pipe and blow. In an instant, it would be forced completely through your trumpet and taking with it all of the “crud” that had accumulated since the last cleaning. Great idea! On one of our brass quintet tours, one member of our group demonstrated it to our young audience. When we returned to campus, we had threatening mail from our host director saying that at the beginning of his next rehearsal, every brass player had inserted one in their horns and on beat one of the first number, pelted him with dozens of these projectiles.

As you can see from the products I have listed, only a younger player should be interested in adding them to their collection. For my more advanced friends, I will be reviewing the newer products which would appeal to their needs such as gig bags, hard cases, weighted valve caps, pressure node enhancers, etc.

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Leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions about must have trumpet accessories for beginning trumpet players.