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has already chosen and is excited about the proposition of playing a trumpet, inspiration can still be short-lived.

If you're not sure how long the beginner's interest in music will last, decide how much you are willing to pay for what may be a short-term investment. Make sure the child is old enough to be in school band class, and see if private lessons are in the plans, as well. Both of these will help increase the child's interest and musical longevity. (If you're buying for an adult, s/he he will most likely already have some experience from earlier in life, and simply want to get back into playing.)

Getting an inexpensive beginner model may be the more prudent option, and these include Yamaha, Conn, Getzen, Holton, Blessing, King, Olds, and others. Most major student brands come with documentation on care and maintenance, plus a mouthpiece, a case, and perhaps a bottle of valve oil. Don't assume, though - to be sure you know what is included, check with the sales person before purchasing.

TIP 2: Consider your priorities when researching student model trumpets: Like most goods and services, you get what you pay for. If you try to save money by ordering a $100 trumpet that comes from, say, a no-name manufacturer in K-Mart, you might get a piece of metal that resembles a trumpet, but has awful tone, sticky valves, and falls apart after a few months. In short, you should be willing to pay a moderate amount (approximately $400 to $1200) to increase the chances of the beginner enjoying his/her lessons and practice time.

== Buying A Used Trumpet ==

Buying a used trumpet is risky and demands meticulous attention. It may look fine on the outside, but might have internal problems you can't see: Corrosion usually occurs after much neglect, or perhaps the valves need re-aligning, or maybe the tubing just needs a good cleaning. At the very least, ask the seller for previous owner history, and find out if the trumpet has ever been overhauled or repaired at a reputable musical instrument shop.

Not sure where to find a used trumpet? If you can't readily get a recommendation from an actual trumpet player, ask people you trust, either online or face-to-face. You never know who knows a musician.

TIP 3: Some great deals can be found on eBay, but you need to know exactly what is being offered. Consider asking these seller-based questions: How many musical instruments have they successfully sold and shipped? Is their feedback rating above 95% (or whatever percentage makes you comfortable)? What is their return policy? Why are they selling? Are the pictures clear? Is the trumpet clean inside and out? Do all the valves, slides, and triggers work?

TIP 4: Craigslist is another possible way to shop and buy, but without the ratings and safety features of eBay. Be very careful if you go this route. If you're not comfortable with a seller's information or security, keep looking until you are.

== Buying Used: Shipping ==

Online shopping is convenient if you have enough information, but shipping can potentially cause great damage. Who knows what condition it will be in when it arrives at your door? Trumpets may seem strong, but a couple of dents in the wrong place can mess up the delicate alignment of parts, so ask the seller for shipping safety contingencies, like insurance and a return policy.

== Buying A New Trumpet ==

Most nationwide musical instrument retailers sell a great variety of instruments for students and professionals, and Woodwind and Brasswind (http://www.wwbw.com/Trumpets-B rass-Instruments.wwbw is an excellent starting point when researching new trumpets. Also read online forum comments from trumpet teachers and performers.

An overwhelming majority of trumpets are manufactured in the key

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