Student's first horn

[swillafew]

Here's my question:

Young man in high school feels strongly he wants to major in music in college. He can already play string bass and tuba, is a well regarded student in a large program. He owns nothing to practice on, and his dad is getting advice from me. I had his father contact two sponsors of this forum, and he already has spoken to well known members here. He is very motivated for low price.

A clone type horn is in the buyer's sights, and a prominent dealer is already in mind. I am wondering if I should warn him away from any particular model. He needs to practice on the horn at home and play Bb at school on the school horn.

PS: I urged him to buy a string bass, but tuba is what the student wants. Used "top brands" are out of the budget.

Send a PM if you don't want to beat up anything's reputation.

Thanks.

[eupher61]

How old is this kid? Dies he have college in mind?
If not, don't worry about it. Whatever they can afford that's of quality.

My opinion regarding "contact the teacher" is bullshit to that. If the school doesn't provide instruments, and a kid comes in with an instrument, that's what the kid plays. Insisting they have a specific is immoral.

[swillafew]

I'm going to be his teacher before he picks a college. My experience is limited to horns outside the budget.

Thanks for the input. Is a MACK-TU520L sized for a full size player? I am sure the price will draw consideration.

[swillafew]

Just for perspective, when I was his age I had an beat to **** sousaphone the school would lend me. I got my first horn when I was a sophomore in college.

[swillafew]

I want to say thanks for the good additions to the thread.
Just as others have said they would like to see a good used horn for the good price, if anyone reading this wants to offer one, I'm all ears.

[The Big Ben]

I want to say thanks for the good additions to the thread.
Just as others have said they would like to see a good used horn for the good price, if anyone reading this wants to offer one, I'm all ears.

Unless you have an aversion to using eBay, one way of finding out about deals is to set it up so eBay will send you e-mails when things of your choice are listed. So, if you would be happy with a King 2341 or a Mirafone Miraphone 186, set it up so that you get a mail when one or more comes up. The search section on the My Ebay page describes how to do it.

BTW: Any instructor who would get in a yelling match and possibly a physical confrontation with a new student because the student does not arrive with an 'approved instrument' needs to get a grasp on reality.

[balchb]

A buddy of mine got a pair of Mack 210's and I honestly didn't like them at all.

[Donn]

BTW: Any instructor who would get in a yelling match and possibly a physical confrontation with a new student because the student does not arrive with an 'approved instrument' needs to get a grasp on reality.

I don't think that's what he meant at all, by "physically fighting to hold the horn." If that's what you're referring to. That was about poor choice of tuba for the student.

I imagine the issue for the instructor is more like, here I am trying to get this kid on track and I see his tuba as an obstacle. Maybe it really is, maybe it isn't, but it's his call, and his opinion affects the whole situation.

[swillafew]

At one of the schools I attended, other students were eagerly willing to let freshmen try their horns to get a wide variety.

This is a great idea for shopping. I imagine that a person wanting a tuba enough to buy one ought to log some miles seeking out whatever players they can find, and the sooner the better. As expensive as horns are, the schools are even more so, and the investment of time is huge. I remember meeting my teacher at my (very) first lesson, and he said "You should have come to me years ago".

[balchb]

At one of the schools I attended, other students were eagerly willing to let freshmen try their horns to get a wide variety.

This is a great idea for shopping. I imagine that a person wanting a tuba enough to buy one ought to log some miles seeking out whatever players they can find, and the sooner the better. As expensive as horns are, the schools are even more so, and the investment of time is huge. I remember meeting my teacher at my (very) first lesson, and he said "You should have come to me years ago".

+1

[swillafew]

Nice comments! My own student days were much like you say. When I hear about what the students "need" to have I think there is some idealism there, more than the students might think.