One of the things a lot of people learning to play music discover very early on is that most instruments require a range of accessories to get the most out of.
Guitarists and bassists will need straps, spare strings, and plectrums. Drummers absolutely need to ensure they’ve got spare sticks, a decent drum stool, and good quality bags for transporting their gear. Brass players are no exception to this rule! No matter your skill level, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got these five vital brass accessories in your arsenal.
Mouthpieces
Trying to play a trumpet or trombone without a mouthpiece would be like trying to play a guitar without strings, in that it literally won’t make a sound and you’ll look pretty stupid.
Obviously the vast majority of brass instruments come with at least one mouthpiece. Many, including our own pTrumpet and pBone, even come with a spare. But at a certain point, for whatever reason, you’ll probably want to make sure you’ve a few more in the cupboard. Mouthpieces can be broken or lost, after all!
You can shop for a range of relatively inexpensive metal and plastic mouthpieces right here. We’ve clearly laid out which mouthpieces work with which instruments, so you can go in free from fear that you’ll buy the wrong accessory.
Mutes
It’s no secret that brass instruments can get pretty loud. The good news is that you can buy special mutes. You can buy mutes for various brass instruments online for anywhere between £25 to £100 depending on the level of quality and sound you’re after.
No matter which mute you choose, it will quieten your instrument. However, it’s important to remember that some mutes require extra pressure to play, which could affect your technique once removed.
Carry Case
It’s highly likely that your brass instrument isn’t just going to be staying in one place, which means a sturdy carry case that can protect it from the elements is a must. A lot of trumpets, trombones, and tubas will come with a decent case as standard, but it’s always worth checking the store description to see if you’ll get it included as a bonus. Ask nicely and you might even get one thrown in anyway!
Most of our pInstrument range, including the pCornet, pTrumpet, pTrumpet hyTech, and pBone come with their own high-quality gig bags. But if they’re not quite what you’re after for whatever reason, you can shop for a different one here.
Valve And Slide Oil
Traditional brass instruments will need a thorough clean at least once a month to keep them in good shape. This means you’ll want to get hold of a special kit that contains vital items like valve oil, cloths, and brushes. You can get a basic Stagg Trumpet Maintenance Kit for less than £20, with fancier and more expensive kits available depending on how deep you’re willing to go.
We do have to stress, however, that our pInstruments do not require this level of maintenance. The slide on pBone and the valves on pTrumpet have been designed so that they don’t need oil or special cleaning tools. These instruments have been designed to pick up, play, and enjoy. With that said, we do sell a special cleaning kit specific to pInstruments that you can purchase here. It has everything you’ll need to keep your plastic instrument safe and clean.
Instrument Stand
While arguably not a vital accessory, a good instrument stand is nice to have. You might need it for a practice room or recording studio, but more often than not it’ll just be a good way for beginners to store their instrument in their bedroom without simply shoving it in a cupboard and forgetting it exists.
Most instrument stands range between £15 - £80 depending on the level of quality you’re after. Just make sure you get the right stand for the right brass instrument. You’ll have a job trying to get a trombone on a stand that was designed for a cornet!
Find Out More
Convinced a plastic instrument is the right instrument for you? Feel free to browse through our comprehensive learning guide, or take a look at the full range of pInstruments to see if there might be a better fit for you.
And if you’re still not sure, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have!
After seven years writing about video games, Ewan made the jump to the music instrument industry to stop his family asking when he was going to get a real job. Mostly, though, he adores music and is passionate about its vital role throughout life - especially in education. He also played guitar in several bands with deeply embarrassing names that won't be revealed here. With a degree in journalism from an NCTJ-accredited university under his belt, Ewan uses everything he learned as a writer over the last decade to help answer any questions you might have about pBone Music in an accessible (and hopefully entertaining) way. Because if you can write 1,000 words on SSDs and ray-tracing, you can explain why plastic instruments are accessible, sustainable, and fun.
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