 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: D
Date: 2007-04-26 20:44
Question for doublers
I want to take up trombone....if I ever manage to move out of my Mum's house that is. She won't let me have one here and as she puts up with all the other instruments I have to respect her wishes on that one as it is the loudest!
So, when I manage to move out.....
What I would like to know is, with trombones what sort of difference does the quality of the instrument make? Is a student trombone good for anything?
I am an adult learner and can already read music so I'll probably pick it up at a reasonable speed. If I get a second hand student instrument will I be looking for something better in 6 months or will it last me 6 years before I am being limited by the instrument?
I am not entirely sure I understand the F attachment thing either. I have read quite a bit about it but all the articles seem to be written for people who already understand! Is it essentially extra pipe that is the equivalent of putting down a descant recorder and picking up a treble? All the 'fingering' the same but the notes you hear are different?
And....I'd really really love to play bass trombone. Love to rumbliness. And I keep seeing things about D and G things as well. what is that all about?!
If anyone knows the answers, or of a simple article, preferably with pictures I would be really appreciative.
I even promise not to move next door to you!
Also, what would people consider a sensible price for a trombone, either one to start on and then resell or one to last a good few years?
Mark and GBK, if there is a more suitable forum for this question please feel free to shift this on over.
D
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-26 22:49
Why not buy a trombone and a Yamaha Silent Brass mute/electronic gadget so you can do your practice at home without your mum even knowing?
Is she ashamed that her reputation will be tarnished - what will the neighbours think?
I think orchestral players need the F attachment (to fill the gap between the low E and the pedal notes) - I've never seen any Big band 1st, 2nd or 3rd players use a Bb/F trombone, apart from when they have their orchestral trombone with them instead of their 'jazz' trombone.
As for bass trombones, the Edwards ones with the double Thayer Double Axial Flow valves are popular among pro bass trombone players http://www.edwards-instruments.com/, and Rath trombones are popular among pro tenor players. Mike Rath is based in Huddersfield http://www.rathtrombones.com/.
Although I'm not a trombone player I doubt you can go wrong with a Yamaha student model, and Conn, King and Holton are popular. I don't know many Bach trombone players - only a couple. In one band all the trombone players played King trombones.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2007-04-26 22:58)
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Author: diz
Date: 2007-04-27 02:08
I did a term of trombone in high school ... found it amusing and annoying most of the time. After my term was up ... never picked up a brass instrument again ... don't let me put you off, however. I, too, was banished outside to practice (actually in the basement) and mother would look down her nose and remind me how beautiful the clarinet was ...
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-04-27 11:57
Hi,
I love to play trombone and if I was to switch to a brass instrument for any reason, this would be my choice. I play tenor sax a lot and the pitch range and timbre are very close to the trombone.
Many years ago when I was a HS band director, Holton made a trombone that had a G attachment. Since my oldest son wanted to pay trombone, I got one for him so that I could experiment a little. Man, was that cool. The trigger lowered the pitch a minor third and you could do a Bb arpeggio all in 1st position. For younger players, that was terrific since they could reach 6th and 7th position easily.
I used to convert a lot of woodwinds to brass for marching band and trombone was always a favorite. And no, it does not mess up your embouchure.
HRL
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2007-04-27 12:06
"D," you don't mention gender or height, so if you're a tall guy, just ignore this answer.... But, if you're vertically challenged, before you spend money on that trombone, have someone show you 6th position on one (slide all the way out), to make sure your arms are long enough to reach. I wanted to double on trombone, until I discovered I've got a manufacturing defect: my arms are too short.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-27 12:19
One of our bass trombone players wasn't exactly tall (though he was a Scouser and made up for his lack of height verbally!), yet he could get around playing his King 8B no problem - maybe he used the triggers instead of 6th or 7th position!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: D
Date: 2007-04-27 14:19
I'm 5 ft 7". Or 172 cm.
thanks to all for their comments. I am rather interested by the mention of a silent brass thingamigig. How silent are we talking? Because that might have to be the answer if I can't get a job worth moving for soon.
Bit of an awkward situation because I have moved away a couple of times, but always to tiny little places on short term work contracts. I have quite a well paid job at the moment near my parents house so I am staying with them, but what I really need is a job that pays well enough for me to move out properly. An not into a room in someone elses house. Been there. ecch.
Mum puts up with a lot, but I think a trombone might push her over the edge!
I would probably end up playing a combination of orchestral trombone and swing/dance music. So I infer from above that for the orchestral work an F might be necessary? How long does it normally take before someone gets good enough to get near an orchestral part anyway?!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-04-27 14:54
Lelia,
Actually, 7th position is the slide 1/2 way on the stockings which is all the way out on trombone. Low B can be played only this way unless you have an F attachment.
HRL
PS People with shorter arms can play this note as well as 6th position by turning the trombone off to the right side. This technique actually increases the effective length of the right arm a little bit.
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Author: D
Date: 2007-05-24 18:31
Hey guys, I'm back.
And I'm really doing it, I'm buying a trombone and a silent brass doohickey.
I've had a poke around a few websites.
The silent brass thing. I think I need the mute thing that goes in the trombone. Some headphones, cabling and a box thing that the cables go into. Am I missing a vital bit of kit. Looks like it is about £150-£120 in England, does that sound about right or am I looking at the wrong thing?
Regarding the instrument, I think I will just get a Bb tenor for now and then see how I get on. Probably look for a second hand Bb/F if I start playing in an orchestra. Given that the slide looks pretty fragile, would I be safer going for a new student instrument or is a second hand one ever going to be ok.
Thanks for all your help before. The silent brass thing is the winning ticket - I wouldn't be allowed a trombone without it. Out of interest (and I'm having it anyway) how much noise does get out? As loud as a sax? A clarinet?
D
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Author: D
Date: 2007-05-24 18:42
Oh yeah, and regarding the size issue, did anyone think it sounds like I am going to be too short to play a standard size tenor? Should I be looking for the midget versions.
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