If you want to improve your trumpet playing, you may wonder if there’s a left-handed model.
While no company currently makes a left-handed model, you can still play the trumpet with the right trumpet.
Table of Contents
1. Bach AB190S (Overall Winner)
The Bach AB190S is a professional trumpet with a brass body and silver plating.
It comes with valve guides to help you get the sound you want. You’ll get a 1st slide split ring, a 3rd slide pin stop, and a 3rd valve tone enhancing ring.
There are also Monel pistons that can help resist corrosion. While it isn’t designed for a left-handed player, no trumpet is, so you’ll still need to use your right hand to press the valves.
As a left-handed player, the valve rings can help you stabilize the trumpet’s position.
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Also, the trumpet comes in a nice deluxe double case but doesn’t include a mouthpiece. That means you’ll need to choose the mouthpiece that works for you.
The package weighs 13 pounds, so that the trumpet might be a bit heavy, and it’s also very expensive. It’s a nice choice for professionals and other serious players.
2. Hawk WD-T313 (Budget Pick)
If you’re a beginner or don’t have much money, try the Hawk WD-T313.
The trumpet is one of the most affordable options, and you can choose various finishes.
Most players should stick to the silver or gold finishes since the others can stand out, not in a good way. Many directors won’t let you use a blue or green trumpet if you want to play in a band.
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This model is comfortable to hold and play with, so it’s nice for beginners. There’s a place for your thumb and pinky so that your fingerings can rest somewhere even if you don’t use them.
If necessary, you can play it left-handed, but the second valve sticks out to the right. That means holding the trumpet with your right hand won’t be the most comfortable.
3. Schilke 10B1
Going back to some more professional trumpets, there’s the Schilke 10B1.
It features a larger-than-average bell, so it’s perfect for projecting your sound over a large ensemble.
This model is light and responds very well to your playing. While expensive, it’s a good value, so you can get a professional horn that will last you for years.
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It features a thumb ring and a third valve slide, so you can tune the trumpet as you play. There’s also a place for your pinky to rest on the instrument.
The silver plating looks great, and you can get just as good of a sound. While it’s hard to play left-handed, it’s comfortable for left-handed trumpeters to play using their right hand.
4. Yamaha Xeno YTR8335
The Yamaha Xeno YTR8335 is a fantastic professional-level trumpet for many players.
It features light Monel pistons that respond quickly and allow you to play much faster.
Yellow brass makes up the bell, but the entire trumpet features silver plating to help make it sound brilliant. There’s also a reverse leadpipe, so it’s a bit longer than on some models.
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Like many other trumpets, this one features a thumb ring and a third valve slide for tuning. You can also use those to hold the trumpet as you play to help keep the instrument in place.
This model comes with a mouthpiece and case, so you have everything you need to play the trumpet. It might sound good if you use your left hand to press the valves, but the second valve tubing can get in the way.
5. Jupiter XO 1602S
Another amazing trumpet to try is the Jupiter XO1602S, which is silver-plated.
The trumpet has rounded and elliptical tuning slides, pearl, inlaid, and metal finger buttons to help make playing comfortable.
Meanwhile, the bottom valve caps have some weight, so that can help you keep the trumpet upright as you hold it. The instrument also features a thumb ring and 3rd valve slide, and a horizontal stop.
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Everything comes in an XO Tourlite case, so it’s easy to carry your instrument around. Under the silver plating is yellow brass, a durable trumpet good for serious players.
The reverse leadpipe uses rose brass, while the pistons are stainless steel, so they are easy to clean and maintain. As with any trumpet, you can play it left-handed, but the tubing design can make that difficult or uncomfortable.
6. Yamaha YTR-6335
The Yamaha YTR-6335 is a more affordable alternative to the Xeno series of trumpets. With this model, you’ll get a medium-large bore to help get a full tone, and the large bell is perfect for playing in large concert halls.
It has hand-lapped valves and slides, so they fit well, and air can flow smoothly through the instrument. You can get a nice response and keep the trumpet in tune as you play.
This model features brass with lacquer so you won’t have the silver plating like in other models.
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However, you won’t have to worry about silver tarnishing.
This model is a nice choice for advancing students who need a professional-caliber trumpet without spending too much. It also features the standard thumb ring and 3rd valve slide to help you hold and tune the trumpet.
7. King 2055T
Another excellent intermediate model is the King 2055T. It features a standard rose brass leadpipe, which can help you get a warmer tone and connect your mouthpiece to the body easily.
The bore is 0.462 inches, which is standard, and you can get a nice sound out of the trumpet. There’s also a 4.9-inch seamless bell to help spread your sound throughout a large room.
You’ll also receive a case with the instrument, so you’ll have a safe place for it during storage and transportation.
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When you play the trumpet, you can get a nice range, use the included mouthpiece, or buy one separately.
This one is probably the hardest to play left-handed of the best trumpets. However, you can use the standard position and hold it with your left hand to play.
8. Conn 52BSP
The Conn 52BSP features a brass body with silver plating, which looks and sounds nice.
It features a 0.462-inch bore and a 4.9-inch bell, so it’s a standard setup.
Of course, you can use the thumb saddle and the 3rd valve ring to tune and stabilize the instrument. The top and bottom valve caps are also weighted, which may help keep the trumpet from tipping to the side.
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The Monel valves are good quality and can help you play slow and fast passages.
This model is perfect for students who need something better than their beginner model. It’s of nice quality, but it’s not too expensive for students or casual players.
9. Yamaha YTR-2330
When it comes to beginner trumpets, you can’t beat the Yamaha YTR-2330.
It uses brass for the body and features a gold brass leadpipe and gold lacquer over the entire body.
The Monel alloy valves help you learn how to play the trumpet and different notes more easily. Meanwhile, the two-piece brass bell looks great and can help you project your sound.
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It’s not the cheapest trumpet out there, but it makes a great balance between cost and quality. You can learn to play using your right hand to press the buttons.
Of course, the trumpet features a thumb saddle and a 3rd valve slide ring. Yamaha trumpets last long, so this is a great instrument to learn and advance your playing.
10. Jupiter JTR700A
The Jupiter JTR700A is another fantastic trumpet model for beginners. It has a brass body with lacquer, so it looks and sounds like what you’d expect from a trumpet.
This model features a comfortable design to help you get used to playing.
That can be handy for left-handed players since the adjustment can take longer.
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You can adjust the 1st, and 3rd valve slides to be more comfortable and help improve your playing. The stainless steel pistons move up and down easily, so playing technical passages is more enjoyable.
It comes with a mouthpiece and a case, which is great for a beginner. The case is lightweight and easy to take to lessons or rehearsals.
11. Prelude TR711
Prelude is a sub-brand of Selmer, and the Prelude TR711 is a nice choice for new trumpeters.
It has a genuine Bach mouthpiece, so you can get a nice sound without upgrading.
The two-piece bell is about 4.75 inches so that you can project your sound nicely. Over the yellow brass is a clear lacquer, so it looks like many other trumpets so you can blend in with a band trumpet section.
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However, the leadpipe is rose brass, which can help you get a slightly warmer tone. You’ll also get two water keys, one on the left side, so it could be easier to operate as a left-handed player.
The tubing for the second valve does come out quite to the right, though. So you’ll probably want to hold the trumpet with your left hand and play with your right.
How Much Should You REALLY Pay for a Trumpet?
The amount you should pay for a trumpet depends on your current playing level and goals.
If you’re a beginner, try to stay under $1,000 since you don’t know if you’ll stick with it.
Intermediate players may want to spend up to $2,500 on an upgrade. Finally, professionals and serious amateurs can spend up to $5,000 on the best trumpet.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a trumpet is hard enough for right-handed players. If you’re left-handed, you’ll probably need to play trumpet with your right hand, so make sure you get a comfortable model.