What’s the Best Age to Learn Trumpet?

By Rose Park 6/10/23 • 4 min read

The best age to start trumpet:

Before searching for a trumpet teacher, it’s important for parents to know the ideal age to begin trumpet lessons. The best age to start trumpet lessons is between the ages of 9 and 11 years old. Although students can start playing trumpet as early as 6 years old, it’s better to wait until they have full lung capacity and permanent teeth.

Many people start trumpet later in life, and it’s never too late to begin your musical journey! No matter how old you are, playing the trumpet gives you happiness in all aspects of life.

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4 factors to consider when starting trumpet

Is the student actually motivated?

If your child doesn’t show any interest in playing the trumpet or participating in school bands like marching, jazz, or concert bands, pushing them to do the lessons can potentially do more harm than good. Besides, they won’t be motivated enough to practice or improve, which will frustrate both the child and the teacher.

Try to encourage your child’s interests. There are plenty of other activities that your child might actually love to try and learn. And if they do express an interest in music, consider other instruments besides the trumpet.

Does the student have enough physical strength?

Playing the trumpet requires having strong lungs and muscles around the mouth. That’s why we suggest children start trumpet lessons around the age of 8.

Also, it’s important to consider the weight of the trumpet. While it’s usually not heavy, it can be a bit much for kids under 8 and smaller older children to handle. Some taller kids with longer arms might play fine but most kids under 8 will find it easier to start with a cornet instead of a trumpet.

Does the student have braces?

If your child will be getting braces within the next 6 months or so, we recommend waiting until the braces are removed before starting trumpet lessons. The mouthpiece of the trumpet sits right where the braces are, and it can be challenging for beginners to play and produce good sounds with braces on.

Is the trumpet lesson affordable?

Based on our recent article on lesson costs, the average price for trumpet lesson is $65 per hour. That being said, it’s important to find a qualified trumpet teacher who charges a reasonable cost and provides your child a great musical curriculum.

You can find exceptional trumpet instructors with reasonable pricing. At Lesson With You, we offer half-hour trumpet lessons for $35 with teachers who hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in trumpet from renowned music schools with extensive performance experience.

When is my child ready to start trumpet lessons?

1. Your child has permanent teeth

Having permanent teeth is a good sign for starting trumpet lessons. With stronger and more stable teeth, your child will have better control when holding the trumpet close to the mouth and producing tones. With improved coordination in your child’s jaw and mouth, it’s easier to learn the proper embouchure and trumpet techniques.

2. Your child can hold the trumpet and breathe for a long time

If your child has the strength to hold the trumpet and breathe properly, it’s a good indication that they are ready for trumpet lessons. But if your child has weak forearms and wrists, starting with a cornet is a great alternative. The cornet is smaller in size which makes it suitable for young and small kids under 8. It has a similar structure and system to the trumpet but produces warmer sounds.

3. Your child can follow instructions

Playing the trumpet is a unique experience that requires your child to pay attention to mouth control (embouchure), musical details and tone production. In trumpet lessons, your child will also learn how to read the notes and understand music theory. The teacher will give feedback on everything from posture to sound control. If your child is able to follow these instructions, it’s a sign that they are ready to learn trumpet! For children under 8 years old, it’s a good idea for parents to join in on the lessons to provide extra support.

4. Your child can stay focused at least 15 minutes

Trumpet lessons typically last for at least half an hour. This means your child needs to stay focused for about 15 minutes during each 30-minute lesson. It’s important for them to concentrate so they can understand what the teacher is asking them to do and improve their trumpet skills. If you’re not sure whether your child can do this, you can try setting aside some time for them to practice focusing on activities like reading a book, doing art crafts, or solving puzzles.

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What are the benefits of learning trumpet early?

Learning trumpet at a young age has many benefits! It gives children a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence, but it also teaches them problem-solving skills. Unlike other subjects, music requires a constant process of problem-solving and dedication. By figuring out how to fix mistakes and consistently improve their trumpet playing, kids learn to think critically and creatively.

As they mature, the trumpet opens doors to various musical avenues, including marching bands, concert bands, jazz bands, and opportunities for solo performances at different events.

Regular practice also cultivates commitment, self-discipline, and patience, valuable skills that can be applied to all aspects of life. Overall, starting trumpet at a young age helps your child develop a great trumpet technique that they can continue to improve throughout their life. And best of all, it brings them so much happiness through music!

How to find and choose the right trumpet teacher

One of the challenges when starting trumpet lessons is finding the right teacher. Typical mistakes include:

Starting with an ordinary instructor and then switching to a better one later
Failing to thoroughly review the teacher’s educational background
Learning from a teacher who also teaches other instruments
Taking trumpet lessons that charge significantly less than the average rate

Note: It’s important to find a trumpet teacher with at least a Bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance with two years of teaching experience. Make sure to check the teacher’s performance recordings and personal website. Ask questions on the teaching background, lesson policies and curriculum style.

Tips on starting trumpet lessons (that actually work!)

1. Maintain trumpet in good conditions

Taking care of a trumpet is a big task, but it’s essential for every player. Remember to assemble and clean it before and after playing. Students should learn proper care techniques, like keeping the valves and slide moving smoothly. Parents can also learn how to oil and grease the trumpet and teach their child. And don’t forget, keep an eye on little ones so they don’t play with the trumpet parts.

2. Place the trumpet where your child can easily access

The more accessible the trumpet is, the more likely your child is to play and practice regularly. Instead of hiding the trumpet away in a small room or attic, try placing it in the child’s bedroom or study room. That way, they can easily sit down and play a few tunes whenever they have time.

3. Participate in musical events

The trumpet, along with other brass instruments, opens up a world of musical opportunities. Your child can join school bands, marching bands, concert bands, woodwind orchestras, and jazz bands. Encourage them to participate in these musical communities starting from fourth or fifth grade. It’s a great way for your child to learn and grow through playing with their peers in group practice sessions and public performances.

4. Help your child build a good practice routine

When it comes to learning trumpet, balancing practice and play is important. For kids under 9, try setting a short but effective practice schedule that works around their school days.

Practicing trumpet is also a workout for your facial muscles. When beginners start, they might puff their cheeks and not use their mouth and tongue correctly. But after a few weeks of regular practice, kids will notice their cheek muscles getting stronger.

After all, regular practice is key to maintaining muscle strength. As a parent, it’s important to encourage consistent trumpet practice to keep those muscles strong. Children between 9 and 11 years old can start with an average practice session of around 20 minutes.

5. Talk about lesson progress

After taking a couple of weeks of trumpet lessons, check in with your child and ask how they’re enjoying it. You want to make sure they’re not only learning a valuable skill, but also feeling happy and motivated to continue with their lessons in the long run. Try having casual conversations about their progress during dinner table. Take the time to listen to their stories and be there to provide support throughout their trumpet journey.

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Common questions about beginning trumpet

Q. How long does it take to learn trumpet?

Learning the trumpet takes time and works differently for everyone. Typically, it takes several years of consistent practice to develop a solid foundation in trumpet playing. If your child wants to play trumpet for fun and join the school band, a daily practice routine of around 20 minutes is recommended. Keep in mind that this time doesn’t include the assembly and cleaning of the instrument. If your child is interested in participating in competitions or auditions, more intensive practice, averaging one hour a day is required.

Q. Which trumpet should I get as a beginner?

The best way is to consult with a professional trumpet instructor or local music store salesperson to make sure you get the proper trumpet within the budget. According to experts, there are several options for beginners for buying

Standard Bb trumpet: Works for all musical genres, price range is $250-$4,000.
Pocket trumpet: Works for all musical genres, price range is $90-$500.
pTrumpet: Mainly for practice, price range: $70-$350.

Q. How much do trumpet lessons cost, and are there any additional expenses?

The average price for a one-hour trumpet lesson is $65, based on our trumpet lesson pricing guide. Online trumpet lessons between $20-40 for a half hour lesson, and local private lessons averages $40 for a half hour session. There may be additional expenses, such as purchasing or renting a trumpet, buying accessories like valve oil, lesson book, and maintenance costs for the instrument.

Is it ever too late to start trumpet?

Age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning trumpet. At Lesson With You, our expert instructors create personalized lesson plans suited to the musical needs and lifestyles of any trumpet learners. With their professional tips, anyone can elevate their skills at competitive prices.

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Rose Park

Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.