The cost of a brass lesson can vary depending on factors such as the teacher's experience, the lesson's length, and whether it's in-person or online. According to the Musician’s Union, the minimum rate for an hour lesson in 2025 should be £42.50, although in London it might be a slightly higher fee

You can start learning a brass instrument at various ages, the ideal starting age depends on the instrument and the student's physical development.

For trumpets, trombones and and french horns kids typically can start learning at around 7 to 9 years old. They need to have developed enough lung capacity and embouchure (the way they hold their mouth and lips when playing) to produce sound. Younger students often start with smaller or more manageable brass instruments, like a "mini" trumpet or a beginner trombone, to get the basics down.

For larger instruments like the tuba or euphonium, it's better to wait until the child is around 10 or older, as the size and breath control required can be challenging for younger kids.

And of course adults can pick up these instruments any time .

Brass instruments can be challenging to learn, but like any instrument, the difficulty level largely depends on your dedication, practice, and patience. Here are a few aspects that can make brass instruments difficult but also rewarding to learn:

1. Embouchure (Mouth Position):

• Brass instruments require a very specific mouth position, called embouchure, which is key to producing a good sound. Developing the right embouchure can take time and effort, and it's one of the more difficult aspects to master when starting out.

2. Breath Control:

• Brass instruments require strong breath support. You need to have good lung capacity and be able to control your breath for long, sustained notes or fast passages. This can take time to develop, and it’s something that beginners will need to work on consistently.

3. Tone Production:

• Producing a clean, beautiful tone on a brass instrument can be tricky at first. Beginners often produce a lot of squeaky or unclear notes as they figure out how to control the air and the embouchure. It takes practice to make the sound smooth and consistent.

4. Slide (for Trombone) or Valves (for Trumpet, French Horn, etc.):

• Trombone: The slide technique requires good hand coordination and a sense of pitch since the slide must be moved smoothly and accurately.

• Trumpet, French Horn, Tuba: Learning how to use the valves efficiently and understand the partials (the notes available in each valve combination) is essential for playing the correct notes. Some brass instruments have more complex valve systems that can make this a little tricky at first.

5. Physical Demands:

• Playing brass instruments requires physical strength, particularly in the facial muscles and lungs. For larger instruments like the tuba, the weight and size can also be a consideration.

Yes, you can definitely learn brass instruments both online and in-person. The choice between online or in-person lessons depends on your preferences, resources, and the type of learning experience you're seeking.

Pros of in-person learning can be: personalised instruction (a teacher can give you immediate, hands-on feedback on things like your embouchure, breathing technique, correct form), and social interaction (if you’re learning as part of a group, in-person lessons are a great way to meet other students and gain ensemble experience).

Whereas pros of online lessons can be: flexibility (you can choose lessons that fit into your schedule and often don’t need to travel), affordability (online lessons can sometimes be less expensive than in-person lessons because they save on travel costs for both you and the teacher), and a wide range of teachers (With online learning, you have access to teachers from all over the world, so you can find someone with the perfect teaching style and expertise).

The key is finding a good teacher and committing to regular practice, whether that’s in-person or online. If you’re just starting out, online lessons can be a great option for flexibility and affordability, while in-person lessons might be ideal if you need hands-on guidance and correction in real-time.

The amount of practice needed to improve your playing depends on your goals, current skill level, and how quickly you want to progress. However, general guidelines would suggest 20-30 mins a day for beginners, 30-60 mins a day for intermediate students, and 1-2 hours a day for advanced players

You don’t have to own your own instrument, or certainly not to begin with while you’re still figuring out if you like it.

We offer an Instrument rental service at very competitive prices; it can be with a minimum term of 2 months, allowing you to try the instrument out without a large upfront cost, and you will even have the option of buying a new instrument further down the line.

Speak to us to find out more about our stock and prices.