All trumpets are made out of brass but are most commonly available with lacquer or silver plated exteriors. To sum up, the student should pick the best-sounding trumpet that plays well in his or her price range. A used trumpet is a valid option to buying a brand new instrument. Many times an older professional horn may be in reasonable shape or refurbished by a dealer and priced similarly to a new student or intermediate model. Check the trumpet for leaks, dents and corrosion.
Internal corrosion is hard to see, but deadly to performance.
It first appears as a pinkish-red pinpoint on the outside surface of the horn. Make sure the valves move fast and don't need replating, be sure that all the slides move easily, and make sure the felts around the valves and corks on the water keys are in good condition or have been replaced with new one. Picking A Mouthpiece Beginners generally should start on a mouthpiece with a fairly small rim and a C cup, which is standard. Ask the student's band director, private teacher or a knowledgeable sales person for suggestions as to what size and brand of mouthpiece to buy. Method books - whichever are recommended by the student's teachers.