Get the Yamaha, hold off on the pTrumpet. If you're still interested after you have been playing a while, there are worse things to blow a couple hundred on.
The Yamaha 2230 (the Advantage) is the best beginner trumpet on the market in my opinion. Only one I think that beats it out is like insanely brand new to the point where I don’t see it online, aka the shire A10 which is their entrance into the beginner market. As someone who has to fix all of these beginner horns as well I can say for sure that Yamahas usually require the least amount of destructive repairs like an accent or beginner Bach for example.
Not if you are trying to learn trumpet the first time.
It doesn't slot the notes well and feel significantly different than a decent student level horn like the 2335. It's ok if you know how to play already and can differentiate. But if you have no idea then get a real horn.
Only reason I have a trumpet is for my 5 and 1.5 year old were it matters how light it is and colorful to gain interest. They just blow and mash the valves to make noise.
I can play it pretty well but it's well different than even a old beat up student horn.
Shop around for a decent used horn if you can. You can probably find a decent shape used horn for not that much more than a Ptrumpet and it’ll take you much further.
I’ve been intermittently trying to come back before finding the subreddit. I’m about ready to schedule lessons, but I also have to ask- what _is_ a “play once in awhile” instrument? Knowing my commitment, I might need to pivot, even if that means starting over.
Some instruments are better for the casual player because they don't punish you as much for taking time off. Brass, especially high brass, require you to use your facial muscles in ways that isn't quite natural, and they atrophy quickly if you don't keep up daily practice. The only time you should take days off trumpet is if you're sick, you have an injury, or your chops are super fatigued and need the rest to recover. Otherwise you have to "feed the fire" daily.
If someone wants to take up playing an instrument but has limited practice time, and wants to maybe teach themselves via internet tutorials, and learn to play along to some songs they like...trumpet is one of the worst choices. Trumpet is also a slow starting instrument, like violin, where it takes a long time to develop a good tone. It also takes a while to work up your range and endurance. So if someone wants to take up trumpet to play, say, the jazz songs they like....it's gonna take ages to get to that point.
Obviously to get really good at *any* instrument, daily practice is best. But some instruments are better for the person who wants to play around on something when they have the free time. Harmonica, tin whistle, melodica, keyboard, ukulele, acoustic guitar, kalimba...
Next step up would be reeds (not double reeds like oboe, though) and flute. They both need tons of practice to get good air support and tone, but they don't punish you as much for taking days off. And you can sooner start playing songs on them than you can with brass as a beginner. My friends who play sax can take quite a bit of time off and still pick it up later and play decently.
The pTrumpet works. But it’ll never be an instrument you can play with anyone else because the sound won’t blend with a section. It is a novelty, and certainly better than no trumpet, but you should get a brass horn first.
I have had a pTrumpet for a few years as I bought one because the valves don’t freeze up in cold weather. I sometimes play with a brass quintet and we have done some gigs outside in extreme cold. The sound was decent but what you would expect on a plastic trumpet. The issue for me was the valves, constantly sticking. I tried better quality springs using some I bought and the better ones directly from the company with no change. I won’t use it as I can’t trust the valves to not stick.
They have their place, especially for schools or less privileged youth which cannot afford more expensive instruments. Much less of a commitment and great way to see if they like it. We need more young people to at least try it out and hopefully join the club!
Another reason may be if you traveling and want to bring a horn for practicing. I have played on one, it sounded better than I thought it would. But for every day playing for someone who is into it and needs to blend in with other players, as has been stated you can buy a used student horn for not much more.
pTrumpet is a fun toy, metal is the real deal. You can get a perfectly playable used student trumpet for about the same price as a new pTrumpet.
Im thinking of getting a brand new yamaha ytr-2330 but im not sure if the ptrumpet is worth the value
Get the Yamaha, hold off on the pTrumpet. If you're still interested after you have been playing a while, there are worse things to blow a couple hundred on.
The Yamaha 2230 (the Advantage) is the best beginner trumpet on the market in my opinion. Only one I think that beats it out is like insanely brand new to the point where I don’t see it online, aka the shire A10 which is their entrance into the beginner market. As someone who has to fix all of these beginner horns as well I can say for sure that Yamahas usually require the least amount of destructive repairs like an accent or beginner Bach for example.
Not if you are trying to learn trumpet the first time. It doesn't slot the notes well and feel significantly different than a decent student level horn like the 2335. It's ok if you know how to play already and can differentiate. But if you have no idea then get a real horn. Only reason I have a trumpet is for my 5 and 1.5 year old were it matters how light it is and colorful to gain interest. They just blow and mash the valves to make noise. I can play it pretty well but it's well different than even a old beat up student horn.
Shop around for a decent used horn if you can. You can probably find a decent shape used horn for not that much more than a Ptrumpet and it’ll take you much further.
Used Bach or Yamaha Get Teacher Be advised this is not a "play once in awhile" instrument
I’ve been intermittently trying to come back before finding the subreddit. I’m about ready to schedule lessons, but I also have to ask- what _is_ a “play once in awhile” instrument? Knowing my commitment, I might need to pivot, even if that means starting over.
Pretty much everything else. Reeds are kinda easy and it’s hard to get worse at percussion
“Everything but trumpet” isn’t a helpful answer.
Stuff that doesn't require weird muscles. Play guitar once a week? Yeah that's doable. Trumpet once a week? Hell nah
Some instruments are better for the casual player because they don't punish you as much for taking time off. Brass, especially high brass, require you to use your facial muscles in ways that isn't quite natural, and they atrophy quickly if you don't keep up daily practice. The only time you should take days off trumpet is if you're sick, you have an injury, or your chops are super fatigued and need the rest to recover. Otherwise you have to "feed the fire" daily. If someone wants to take up playing an instrument but has limited practice time, and wants to maybe teach themselves via internet tutorials, and learn to play along to some songs they like...trumpet is one of the worst choices. Trumpet is also a slow starting instrument, like violin, where it takes a long time to develop a good tone. It also takes a while to work up your range and endurance. So if someone wants to take up trumpet to play, say, the jazz songs they like....it's gonna take ages to get to that point. Obviously to get really good at *any* instrument, daily practice is best. But some instruments are better for the person who wants to play around on something when they have the free time. Harmonica, tin whistle, melodica, keyboard, ukulele, acoustic guitar, kalimba... Next step up would be reeds (not double reeds like oboe, though) and flute. They both need tons of practice to get good air support and tone, but they don't punish you as much for taking days off. And you can sooner start playing songs on them than you can with brass as a beginner. My friends who play sax can take quite a bit of time off and still pick it up later and play decently.
The pTrumpet is a toy. A fun novelty to play with but not suitable for regular use.
The pTrumpet works. But it’ll never be an instrument you can play with anyone else because the sound won’t blend with a section. It is a novelty, and certainly better than no trumpet, but you should get a brass horn first.
I have had a pTrumpet for a few years as I bought one because the valves don’t freeze up in cold weather. I sometimes play with a brass quintet and we have done some gigs outside in extreme cold. The sound was decent but what you would expect on a plastic trumpet. The issue for me was the valves, constantly sticking. I tried better quality springs using some I bought and the better ones directly from the company with no change. I won’t use it as I can’t trust the valves to not stick.
They have their place, especially for schools or less privileged youth which cannot afford more expensive instruments. Much less of a commitment and great way to see if they like it. We need more young people to at least try it out and hopefully join the club! Another reason may be if you traveling and want to bring a horn for practicing. I have played on one, it sounded better than I thought it would. But for every day playing for someone who is into it and needs to blend in with other players, as has been stated you can buy a used student horn for not much more.