The logical next step for the music classroom after the recorder is often woodwind and brass instruments - cornets, trumpets, trombones etc. Helping with coordination, playing with others, expression, theory and notation they are a great way to introduce primary and secondary school kids to music making. Read more…

The logical next step for the music classroom after the recorder is often woodwind and brass instruments - cornets, trumpets, trombones etc. Helping with coordination, playing with others, expression, theory and notation they are a great way to introduce primary and secondary school kids to music making. However, these can be too heavy for young beginners to manage, and too costly an investment to begin with. The good news is that in recent years lightweight, inexpensive options have become available.

Warwick Music Group’s plastic trombone first entered the market in late 2010. The pBone wasted no time finding favour with both the education sector as well as established musicians. The benefits for schools are wide ranging, but gigging trombonists can also be found with a pBone stashed in the boot of their car for musical settings where the brass alternative may not be suitable!

Features include:
Reduced weight, accessible to younger players
Easy to clean between uses
Manageable size for smaller hands
Less easily damaged
Range of fun colours not found in traditional material instruments
Highly cost-effective for kitting out First Access KS2 classrooms
Plastic instruments are less sensitive to changes in temperature, in particular the mouthpiece will not get cold in winter

About Plastic brass instruments

Warwick Music Group had been looking into the decline in sales of traditional brass instruments, as evidenced by reports of player shortages from bands and orchestras around the world. Contributing factors to this were identified as cost, weight, and the fact that brass instruments are easily damaged. So, what if they could be made from plastic? Not only would this address the factors identified, but also offer the possibility of introducing a spectrum of colours outside of brass and silver lacquer!

Over a decade later, the pInstrument range now includes:

pBone plastic tenor trombone in Bb

Designed by brass players for brass players, the pBone Bb trombone is a lightweight, plastic, fully functioning instrument. Popular with primary and secondary schools across the globe, they offer a lightweight, just 820g, and easy to clean maintain alternative than the standard brass trombone. It is the original plastic trombone with an ingenious design that has helped it become so popular with brass beginners across the globe.

The composite slide tubes are made from strong and durable fiberglass, they even improve over time - no slide lubrication needed! It comes with an 11C small shank matching plastic mouthpiece which, unlike metal mouthpieces, is great for playing in cold weather. However, it is also compatible with your preferred metal mouthpiece. Producing a warm mellow sound, the pBone sounds just like its brass counterpart and is accessible for a range of hand shapes and sizes.

The pBone is available in a range of bright and fun colours – black, blue, green, orange, purple, red, white and yellow.

pBone mini plastic alto trombone in Eb

Building on the popularity of the pBone Bb tenor trombone, the pBone Mini is a smaller version for smaller hands. Pitched in Eb, it has similar proportions to the standard brass alto trombone, but weight just 500g it is considerably lighter. These have proved to be particularly popular with classes of primary school brass players with their smaller size offering increased accessibility for younger players.

Like the pBone, it is also supplied as an outfit with matching plastic mouthpiece and durable gig bag.

pBuzz plastic extendable starter instrument

The pBuzz is an instrument designed to teach brass embouchure with an intuitive tuning mechanism. Through its extendable slide, you can alter the pitch by moving the bell of a range of 6 notes – C, B, Bb, A, G, F. It has a simple design perfect for children of all ages.

Great for schools and institutions, you can also buy a 15-pack bundle with mouthpieces, cleaning kit and storage box included. This is a convenient and cost effective way to buy the pBuzz education instruments for the classroom.

pBugle plastic Bb bugle for early brass education

This plastic bugle allows you to master the harmonic series without the distraction of valves. The pBugle follows the success of the pBuzz which created a starter instrument for those with an affinity for trombone. Now, with the pBuzz trumpet teachers and those students who are looking to progress onto the trumpet or cornet have a lightweight and affordable beginning to their trumpet journey.

Designed for early years, and KS1 education classes, it is lightweight and robust enough for a child to learn about brass playing through playful exploration. Hassle free, it is made from recyclable ABS plastic and will withstand the rough treatment of a primary school classroom. It can also be easily cleaned between playing sessions, simple wash with soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly.

The pBugle is also available as a pack of 15 – the most cost effective way for schools to buy the pBugle. This pack includes 15 pBugles, 30 mouthpieces, a cleaning kit and storage box – perfect for storing away in the classroom.

pTrumpet plastic Bb trumpet outfit

100% plastic, this trumpet has a full range valve system, is durable, and portable – all whilst offering superb sound quality! Its ABS plastic design is ideal for young players that may struggle with a weight of a regular trumpet, it weighs less than half that of an equivalent brass trumpet.

Available in a range of fun colours for kids: black, blue, red, purple, green, white, yellow and orange. Schools love this plastic trumpet – easy to clean and maintain, mellow sound, and all with a very low price. This is made even better with helpful quantity discounts so schools and music hubs can purchase in bulk for a discounted price.

pCornet plastic cornet outfit

Well balanced, easy to hold and a satisfying cornet experience for beginners. Following on from the pTrumpet and pBone, the pCornet is the worlds first fully plastic cornet, right down to the water key! Easy to blow and with a choice of bright colours, it is perfect for young starters. The outfit is supplied with a mouthpiece and gig bag.

pTrumpet hyTech Bb trumpet outfit

A hybrid of traditional mechanism and contemporary, affordable materials to delight players at any level. Polymer tubing and bell, with aluminium valve caps and stainless steel sleeved pistons combine the cost and weight benefits of the ABS plastic with tone production and playability of the traditional metal pistons.

The trumpet is incredibly responsive, with a free-blowing, open feel, and the innovative design is engineered to produce sound of a high standard, with accurate intonation. Its robust design means that the pTrumpet hyTech is ideal for use in any setting and suitable for all kinds of performance activities. Like the rest of the pInstrument range, it is amazingly lightweight and suited perfectly to beginner brass players. It is supplied in a quality carry case and comes with a 7C silver plated brass mouthpiece.