[TPIN] Starting a beginner on a Cornet vs Trumpet

[Darren Windham]

I'm no pro or a teacher but my 7 and 8 year old sons have expressed an
interest and they each preferred the feel of the cornet due to the size.  I
was able to pick up a Getzen Capri shepards crook cornet with a first valve
trigger from a local Brook Mays on their last day open for $109 and have
made that available to them to learn on.

If for some reason they don't continue to play I'll save it for the first
deserving child I hear of and in my opinion the horn plays wonderfully and
would have no concerns using it in a band setting.

My situation may be different since I started on trumpet and learned on it
as I've been told I have a very trumpet like sound on a cornet and don't
feel I lack any power or volume from playing on a cornet.  

I'd have to agree with a previous response that it's a learned technique and
mental picture.  I was taught in my marching band days to focus on a point
in the stands and project to it.

It also seems the common for everyone to want a silver trumpet when they hit
high school.  I regretfully admit I was the same way and wish instead I had
asked my parents for the best playing horn we could afford.

I think its like with most things you have to look at the big picture and
each case to determine the best approach.

Darren