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7 Great Trumpets For High School Bands [Buying Guide]

Early on, you will probably start on a beginner trumpet.

After a few years of playing, your skills will improve so much that you will likely need a more advanced trumpet model. It can be difficult to know which trumpet to choose when entering high school, so we broke it down for you.

Let’s talk about all of the trumpet models that are great for high school players:

Here Are Some Great Trumpets For High School Players:

In high school, trumpet players become too advanced for beginner trumpets, so it’s time to upgrade to an intermediate model. For this, the best trumpets are the Jean Paul TR-430, Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet, Yamaha YTR-4335 GII, Yamaha YTR-2330, Getzen 590-S Capri, Bach TR200, and the Conn 52 BSP.

1. Jean Paul TR-430 Bb Trumpet

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If you plan to continue playing the trumpet for many years, it’s best to invest in a more expensive, higher-quality instrument.

However, choosing a less expensive and more durable trumpet may be beneficial if you’re unsure how long you’ll be playing.

The Jean Paul TR-430 is a trumpet with great construction, but it won’t break the bank. It offers a significant upgrade from a beginner trumpet but won’t be too far out of your price range.

Most intermediate trumpets cost anywhere from $800 to $1,200 or more. This is due to their higher quality construction.

Jean Paul makes an intermediate model that only costs around $400. This is a great trumpet to buy when you are unsure whether you’ll continue playing up to an advanced or professional level.

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With a rose brass leadpipe, you can have a much richer tone. You can also start to experiment with different tone colors because of this new feature.

You won’t find it uncomfortable to hold this trumpet. The TR-430 was designed with a third adjustable trigger, which promotes a healthy, comfortable hand position.

Most beginner trumpets have low-quality valves that frequently need repair. With the wear and tear that comes with playing in high school, you’ll want higher-quality valves. The TR-430 has highly durable piston valves, which avoids any long-term issues.

This intermediate trumpet is a great step-up instrument from a beginner trumpet. Although it costs much less than other intermediate trumpets, it does have high-quality construction that will leave you impressed.

2. Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet 1100S

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The Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet is a great choice for high school players.

It was designed with more advanced players in mind but is still durable and comfortable to play.

Jupiter made this model with a silver-plated yellow brass body and a 4.8-inch bell. It has a .460-inch bore, which is similar to most beginner trumpet bore sizes. This way, it won’t be more difficult to play notes on this model.

Many trumpet players have found that this intermediate trumpet is very easy to play and has great intonation and tone. You won’t find yourself struggling to play pitches because it has a similar design to a beginner trumpet, with a better sound.

One great feature of the Jupiter Intermediate Bb trumpet is its rose brass leadpipe. With this design, you’ll be able to have a warm, rich sound. This is also a reverse leadpipe, making the trumpet more free-blowing.

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With this feature, you can learn more advanced trumpet techniques that weren’t possible with your beginner horn.

Jupiter kept comfort in mind when designing this trumpet. Since you will be playing in many high school band rehearsals, this is ideal. This intermediate model has an adjustable 3rd valve ring slide, avoiding hand tension caused by long practice sessions.

Because this model is durable, comfortable, and easy to play, it is a solid choice for any high school player.

3. Yamaha YTR-4335GII Intermediate Bb Trumpet

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Yamaha is a well-known trumpet brand, respected for its dedication to quality.

This renowned instrument manufacturer makes trumpets of all levels, but the Yamaha YTR-4335 GII Intermediate Bb trumpet is perfect for high school players.

Like most of the trumpets on this list, the YTR-4335 GII is very durable. It is more expensive but has a high-quality construction that is sure to last for years to come.

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Because of its 4.84-inch gold brass bell and .459-inch bore, this trumpet can produce many tone colors. For intermediate players, this is a great feature. As a high school player, you can start to experiment with different advanced techniques like tone color.

You can take your playing to the next level using this Yamaha trumpet.

This model’s tuning slides were designed similarly to high-end Yamaha trumpets. Because of this feature, any player can achieve a great sound on this trumpet.

Even though the Yamaha YTR-4335 GII is higher-quality than beginner models, it is still lightweight and durable. This is a great choice for intermediate trumpet players looking to improve their sound but aren’t ready for a professional horn.

4. Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet

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The YTR-2330 Bb trumpet is the most popular student trumpet that Yamaha makes.

This is a great option if you’re looking for a high-quality instrument that doesn’t break the bank.

Many trumpet players around the world have chosen this model as their primary instrument. It was designed with a 4.84-inch, two-piece bell, and a .459-inch bore.

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With this, you can achieve a consistent and vibrant tone quality.

This trumpet has a balanced weight and an adjustable third valve trigger. This makes it very easy to hold, even through extended practice periods.

Designed with Monel alloy pistons and a yellow brass finish, the YTR-2330 is extremely durable. With this trumpet, any high school player can have a great tone that lasts for years.

Even though this model is half the price of other intermediate trumpets, it is known for its high-quality construction. The second and main tuning slides were made with the same methods as professional trumpets, allowing any player to have a professional tone quality.

Compared to other intermediate trumpets, you can’t go wrong with the YTR-2330. You might expect this trumpet to be of lower quality because of its price tag, but it is just as easy to play with a consistent tone.

5. Getzen 590-S Capri

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For students who have outgrown their beginner models and need a trumpet closer to a professional model, a Getzen 590-S Capri is a stellar option.

It is among the best intermediate trumpets available today and won’t make you regret purchasing it.

This model is easy to play with, durable, and reliable. For high school players, a Getzen 590-S Capri won’t steer you wrong.

Many players find that this Getzen produces a consistently bright sound throughout its full range. This makes solo and ensemble playing much easier. With a consistent sound, you can blend with other players nicely and sound great on your own.

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Getzen designed this model with many useful features. It has nickel-plated silver pistons and hand-lapped inside slide tubing. The pistons’ design will allow each player to play quickly while also protecting against corrosion.

The construction of the slide tubing solves any potential air leaks.

With its Amado water keys, this Getzen 590-S Capri is free-blowing. You won’t have this feature with beginner trumpets.

Any high school player can hold this trumpet comfortably because of its first slide saddle and third valve slide adjusting ring. It is also fairly lightweight, so it won’t be troublesome to hold for long periods.

6. Bach TR200

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For high school players looking for an instrument with professional quality construction, choose the Bach TR200.

Although this is a more expensive option, it is unparalleled in tone, projection, and response time.

This trumpet model is a great choice for intermediate players who eventually want to play professionally.

Bach Stradivarius trumpets have a stellar reputation in the trumpet community. Although the Bach TR200 is an intermediate trumpet, it has some similar qualities.

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Bach designed the TR200 to have Stradivarius-style valve casings. This trumpet is a high-end intermediate model with additional bronze valve springs, Monel pistons, and nickel silver tuning receivers.

It’s important to note that this trumpet has a slightly heavier feel. The other trumpets on this list were designed to be lightweight, making them easier to hold. The heavier construction creates an enhanced tone, but you might find it cumbersome to carry.

You can play this trumpet in any ensemble, for any setting. Whether playing in an ensemble inside a concert hall or outside during marching band, the Bach TR200 will do a great job projecting the specific style and tone you want to perform.

This trumpet is best for players who are advanced but not ready for professional trumpets yet. The Bach TR200 is ideal for advanced high school and college players who need a step-up trumpet that isn’t as expensive as a professional model.

7. Conn 52BSP

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The Conn 52BSP is a great intermediate trumpet model, a middle ground between beginner and professional trumpets.

It is easy to play and has a powerful projecting sound.

Each of these trumpets has a large bore. When playing on this model, you’ll find that it produces a richer and darker sound than other trumpets. With a bore size of .462 inches, the Conn 52BSP allows for better intonation and control.

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Like some of the other models on this list, this Conn has Monel pistons. This makes them responsive and fluid so that each player can hit notes quickly.

Conn constructed this trumpet with a reversed leadpipe and single-radius tuning slide. This makes the trumpet more open, creating the opportunity for free-blowing.

High school players can learn proper techniques and improve their playing to a professional level with these innovative features.

Final Thoughts

When a student transitions into high school, it can be difficult to know what instrument to use during band class.

Although your beginner trumpet was effective throughout elementary and middle school, it likely will harm your growth as a musician in high school.

Beginner trumpets are not designed to be played for many years. Once players are more advanced, they upgrade to an intermediate trumpet model.

There are many different intermediate trumpets on the market. The best method of choosing the right model is to play on each one. At your local music store, pick many intermediate trumpets to playtest. You will probably find one that sounds and feels better than the rest!

It’s also helpful to know which trumpets are well-known for their quality.

We’d recommend the Jean Paul TR-430, Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet, Yamaha YTR-4335 GII, Yamaha YTR-2330, Getzen 590-S Capri, Bach TR200, and the Conn 52BSP.

Sources:

Best Intermediate Trumpet Reviews

What is a Good Trumpet For a High School Student?

The 6 Best Intermediate Trumpets in 2021: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide