New Horn

Selecting a New Instrument

(this is posted as a suggested starting point and is not intended to be comprehensive)

Ask your teacher for advice.
Shop around locally and online.
Try to play the instrument before buying it.
An instrument choice should be based on the musical and financial needs of the student, level they are currently playing at, level they need to play at in the near future, and which mechanical features will serve that purpose.
Cheapest is not necessarily best.
Most expensive is not necessarily best.
Most shiny is not necessarily best.
Most popular is not necessarily best.
The same as everyone else is not necessarily best.
Try to play several instruments of the same type-not just one.
Don't compare apples and oranges-play the same musical passages on each instrument you are interested in.
When play testing, try to objectively evaluate single elements individually.
Ask yourself these questions: Is this easier to play than my current horn? Is this more in tune than my instrument? Is this easier in the upper register than my instrument? Is my tone quality better than it is on my instrument?
Play on your regular mouthpiece-to provide a known reference point for comparison.
Play in all registers and at all dynamic levels.
Ask to try the instrument in both large and small rooms.
Check the lead pipe for pitting (internal rust damage).
If any of the valves stick during the testing (after being oiled) abandon the horn immediately-this is a sign of things to come and rarely improves.
The same rational applies to slides.