Finding the right trumpet to recommend to your students is not always easy.
If you have a classroom full of brass players who are looking to take their learning further, there will be lots of options for them to consider. Along with the various choices they have, there are also a lot of factors to consider when making that choice.
For instance, some of your students may have a big budget, while others may need to be more considerate of how much they spend.
Some may already have experience owning brass instruments, while others may be in uncharted territory.
Many of the team at pBone Music honed our brass skills in the classroom (and before you say anything, no, everything wasn’t “in black and white” back then, thank you very much). Some of us later taught the next generation to play our instruments in schools. We experienced the fun of brass instruments and used our knowledge to create a whole host of beginner brass instruments.
Eventually, those beginners become brilliant brass players and require an instrument that takes them to the next level. Which is where choosing the right instruments to recommend to your students can be overwhelming.
That is why we created the pTrumpet hyTech, our affordable, intermediate instrument for trumpet players. We designed the HyTech with students in mind. The hyTech pTrumpet was created to be able to withstand the rigours of the classroom yet still features all the playability of a more premium instrument.
Another popular model that trumpet teachers tend to recommend to intermediate students is the Yamaha YTR-4335GII. Like the hyTech, it is designed with students in mind as a stepping-stone to playing at a more advanced level.
So in this article, we will be doing a head-to-head comparison of both instruments to help you decide which trumpet would best meet the needs of your students.
Playability
An intermediate trumpet needs to be easy and fun to play. Both our pTrumpet hyTech and the Yamaha YTR-4335GII are designed with playability in mind.
Both trumpets are in the key of Bb and have a very similar set of features. The Yamaha features a 1st valve tuning slide while the hyTech utilises a 3rd valve tuning slide.
The hyTech has metal water keys with silicone seals on the main and 3rd valve tuning slides. The Yamaha has water keys on the 3d valve slide.
All of these features are designed to introduce and enhance the techniques of trumpet students, making the instrument as simple to pick up and play as possible.
The key difference in playability between the two models is the weight.
The Yamaha weighs in at a respectable 1.28kg, lighter than a professional trumpet. The hyTech is around half the weight, weighing 0.650kg. This makes the hyTech pTrumpet a lightweight option, particularly for younger pupils who are getting to grips with the trumpet.
Design
The lightweight feel of the hyTech pTrumpet is due to the hybrid design. The hyTech uses tough polymer and aluminium top and bottom valve caps, stems and contoured finger buttons, along with stainless steel sleeved pistons. By combining metal and plastic, the hyTech weighs significantly less.
The Yamaha YTR-4335GII has a classic brass construction and is also available in a premium silver-plated model. Although heavier than our hyTech model, the Yamaha is a beautiful student trumpet with a stylish and traditional design.
The shape of the hyTech may appear similarly traditional, but the striking black design is a different beast altogether. Both the hyTech and the Yamaha catch the eye, and both would look great in the classroom or at concerts.
Both instruments also ship with cases included. Our hyTech padded gig bag also includes straps, making it a perfect bag for their current instrument along with any future trumpets.
Sound
The Yamaha YTR-4335GII has a wonderfully clean sound, particularly in the higher registers. This is not your cheap-and-cheerful beginner instrument, but a quality trumpet made by a company renowned for their brass instruments. Have a listen to the Yamaha YTR-4335GII in this video:
We designed the hyTech pTrumpet to hold its own against the best of the best: after all, many of our staff have played in professional brass ensembles around the world. We also understand that the proof is in the pudding, so take a listen to how our hyTech pTrumpet sounds in this performance by Gabriel Hasselbach, playing with Miles Black:
Cost
Cost is a major factor when picking the right trumpet for your students. Whether you are looking to purchase several instruments for the classroom or are an educator recommending a student which trumpet to buy, the cost will be one of the first things to consider.
The Yamaha YTR-4335GII has an RRP of £902 for the standard model, rising to £1017 for the silver-plated model (the YTR-4335GSll).
This saving is even greater when you consider the additional costs and upkeep required for brass instruments versus our hybrid model. Although the Yamaha is built to be durable, the hyTech’s robust ABS design means that pricey repairs will not add further costs.
What is the best trumpet for your students?
The Yamaha YTR-4335GII and our pTrumpet hyTech have become popular fixtures with budding trumpeters, and with good reason. The music store Normans struggled to separate the hyTech and a similar Yamaha trumpet, the YTR-2330 on their sound quality in this hyTech review!
If your budget can stretch, the Yamaha YTR-4335GII is a fantastic option. The premium materials are an ideal gateway for older children who are looking to continue their journey from student to master musician. It has a wonderful sound and is built to last.
The pTrumpet hyTech is a brilliant alternative if you have concerns over price or playability. As well as sounding great, the hyTech is a breeze to play due to its significantly lower weight. This is a big advantage for younger students and those who want to take their learning forward.
The unique hybrid design also makes the hyTech a good fit for larger classes that require multiple instruments, and where damage and repairs can soon add up with traditional brass instruments.
The hyTech offers all the sound of a premier trumpet for less than a quarter of the price, at half the weight.
If you think a pTrumpet hyTech would be a great fit for your and your student’s needs, or you just want to talk trumpets, fill out our form for music educators. We are here to support you throughout your journey.
- Click here to see even more great musicians take the hyTech pTrumpet for a spin.
- Think the hyTech sounds great but are worried that plastic isn’t fantastic? Check out our article on the problems with plastic musical instruments: 5 things to consider before you buy
