I'd like to start adding brass to my instrument collection and would like to start out with a trombone. What are the good brand names, pitfalls to the instrument, easy to care for, and any other input/suggestions. Been reading music since I was 9 years old, so the learning curve would be learning the instrument itself.

Thanks folks!!

ETA: Just now doing some shopping/looking, I discovered there are alto and tenor trombones...knew there was a bass trombone, but thought a trombone was a trombone; didn't know there was an alto and tenor. I'm thinking I'd like a tenor...any problems with that vs. an alto?? And as with saxaphones, I'm sure you could spend HOURS trying to get the "right" mouthpiece for your horn.

You might be better off finding something in a pawn shop until you decide whether you like playing or not.

I marched High School with one of these beasts made by Yamaha.

Its really heavy and the triggers are nice, but I don't recommend them if you are learning slide positions.


I think you should start out with something like a tenor King/Conn.

I started in grade school with "percussion blocks" (Ta-ta-ti-ti-ta) and then progressed to the "Flutophone". From there, in 5th grade I joined band playing (and schlepping 5 blocks) a baritone.

Then I moved to trombone in 6th and then to clarinet. (I was ridiculed to the point of giving up the 'net, because it was "a girly" instrument, to my chagrin...) and I then picked up the euphonium, sort of a smaller baritone with a trombone pitch.

Along the way, I picked up the guitar and drums.

Then in the US of Air Force, I was selected for the Drum and Bugle Corps and played basically a 2 valve marching trombone (but was called a tenor bugle), and since, I continue to play trumpet, marching trombone, flugle horn and taught myself blues harp.

Have been in marching bands, stage bands, garage bands, and played semi-professionally, over my lifetime.

I love music, and am a "percussionist" at heart.

It is easier to play a "lower voiced" brass horn than higher. (A baritone/trombone than an alto trombone or trumpet/coronet). Due to the embouchure required to hit the "working range" of pitch.

Your in a large enough area that you should be able to find a music store that you can try and even get a few lessons on several instruments and see what you are "most natural" with.

But, just go for it!

Rightwire...that sounds like a GREAT idea!!

Nismo...what is that? A Bass Trombone? What are the round "dials"?? Beautiful horn!!

Mr. Monkey...thanks for the encouragement on the trombone! Studied classical piano for 10 years starting at 9 y.o. Through the years, picked at the bass guitar and am now onto the alto and tenor sax (need to buy another tenor...sold the one I had) and have a full set of Roland electronic drums with a TD-20 brain box. I would eventually like to get a full-size keyboard, as I sold my piano YEARS ago.

Awesome stuff...thanks y'all!!!

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:

I'm sure you could spend HOURS trying to get the "right" mouthpiece for your horn.

Way back in ancient times, when I was a yoof, the Bach 12 was the preferred mouthpiece for trombones.

erj-pilot (B737 pilot?) -- you have mail.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: V-Tail,

I have played trombone since I was in 5th grade. I own 3 of them now. I started with an Olds Ambassador that we rented. By the time I hit HS, I was getting pretty good and my Dad bought a Holton large bore with an F attachment. I played it though HS and had it refurbished before my son started in band. He played it though school and after HS I had it refurbished once again.

I next played it in a Swing Band while in my 50's for a number of years. It now sits in my basement waiting for the next person in my family to pick it up.

I didn't use the Bach 12c as it took an adapter, rather I liked a Bach 1 1/2.

I also played baritone 2-valve bugle in the Navy and in a Drum & Bugle Corp while in HS. I played Tenor Sax, Keyboards and Guitar in a rock band in my youth.
Mike

quote:

What are the round "dials"??

The round dials are the covers of rotary valves, controlled by the thumb trigger. When opened, they allow air to go into the extra tubing.

What is the extra tubing, you ask.

There are seven positions on the trombone slide. First is all the way in, next to the mouthpiece. Seventh is the slide fully extended, more or less. The extra tubing is equal in length to the difference between 1st and 6th positions (or 7th depending on the tuning). The trigger let's you play notes with the slide in 1st position that would normally be played in 6th position on a standard trombone. Saves a lot of extra slide movement. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's the valve/trigger in a nutshell.

Sometimes, it also helps keep you from hitting the guy in front of you in the back of his head, if you haven't already snagged his ear with the spit valve. (trombone joke)

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
Rightwire...that sounds like a GREAT idea!!

Nismo...what is that? A Bass Trombone? What are the round "dials"?? Beautiful horn!!

Mr. Monkey...thanks for the encouragement on the trombone! Studied classical piano for 10 years starting at 9 y.o. Through the years, picked at the bass guitar and am now onto the alto and tenor sax (need to buy another tenor...sold the one I had) and have a full set of Roland electronic drums with a TD-20 brain box. I would eventually like to get a full-size keyboard, as I sold my piano YEARS ago.

Awesome stuff...thanks y'all!!!

We just called it a double bass. There's probably a proper name for it, but thats what we referred it as.

The round things are what NavyAgShooter stated. I had a trigger actuated with my thumb, and the other was at my middle finger.

After a year with it, I switched to a regular tenor "pea-shooter" for marching field show. The Bass took significantly more air, and it was much more effort to get the volume I need while running around on a football field.

Forgot to add: There may be some variance (learning curve) to each type of horn in relation to slide positions. Some may be further out or in depending on the make/model.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nismo,