When someone is thinking of playing an instrument such as the trumpet, they have to decide if they will buy or rent the instrument. Brand new trumpets, with their trumpet cases, cost a lot and require a good amount of attention from the player. So when buying a new one can be very expensive, and you’re a new player who isn’t sure which instrument you’ll be sticking to, renting might be a better option for you.
In many cases, the horns are abused the most since they are easily prone to dings and dents, requiring special attention. Trumpets, however, safely tucked away in their trumpet cases, are not quite as fragile as woodwinds are, like flutes, clarinets, and saxophones. If the instrument undergoes too many dings, dents, and wear, then the horns will lose value and reselling it is going to be a problem, as the owner will most likely not get full price back. So no matter what, keep your trumpets in sturdy trumpet cases to cause the least amount of damage. Good trumpet cases are almost as essential as a good trumpet.
A new player could rent, but that has its downsides too. For those who are playing for enjoyment, it seems that you will be paying only a small amount every month, yet you have to remember that it adds up. Many contracts come with a kind of “buy out” plan, allowing you to own the instrument eventually. However, be careful because they can word the contract in a strange way. You’ll want to pay attention to the fine print because should you happen upon one of these contracts, you may find that only a part of the payment goes toward ownership of the instrument and not all. Or the fee would go toward a program that lets you to trade up in the future.
Some retailers offer a trade up plan that make it seem like the rental fee goes toward a pro trumpet, but in some cases, that’s not what happens. Only a part of what you end up paying will go towards the trade up instrument. If you go for the $24.95 a month deal that lasts for 24 months, there’ll be a percentage in the end from the $598.80, the amount you put in. And don’t forget trumpets come with trumpet cases. Trumpet cases keep your instrument safe and protected from wear, so you’ll want a good one.
One way to do this is renting for a shorter period, say two to four months. This way you can see if you like the trumpet first. If playing the trumpet is enjoyable and you see yourself playing in the long run, buy a used one. Buying a rental is usually a better deal than a brand new one. You won’t have to pay $598 for two whole years, and you’ll be able to buy one for around $250 – $350.
If you don’t like playing it or feel that you’ll probably not stay with the trumpet, then take it back and you won’t be stuck with an extra instrument at home.