mandapandas

Hello,

I started playing the trumpet in the 6th grade band and stopped playing in 9th grade marching band(about 12 yrs ago). Last year, I decided that I wanted to play again since trumpet players at my church kept falling through and I also just missed the sound. I took lessons at a local music store for a couple months last fall and now I'm taking lessons with a professor at a local college using the Arban's book. I love my lessons but I'm still playing my student trumpet from middle school.

Two questions:

1. It's difficult to play with my church's praise team because they don't have sheet music b/c they all play by ear and can learn from hearing a song. It takes me a day just to get a few measures from listening to a song. Also, the sheet music is usually not available for the songs we sing. What can I do about this?

2. I'm progressing but I wonder if purchasing a professional trumpet would be wise or if I should start with an intermediate. I really don't even know the difference. What do you think?