Just like the trumpet, the trombone can be played with a mute. Undoubtedly THE most versatile mute available, the strength of this mute is that it can actually be used together with any other type of mute. The height it sits on top of the bell can also be adjusted. Take a look at this video to hear it live:. Now, Dennis Wick is famous for all its mutes, not only the straight one.
Which is exactly what practice mutes do. Pretty cool, right? For more details check out my review on my trumpet post. Which is why I wanted to show a few different ones. With trombones you have 3 main choices when it comes to cases:.
That is because the best cases usually offer superior protection with a polyfoam covered shock-absorbing wood frame , for example. And so, first off… Anatomy of the Trombone As a beginner, looking at a trombone can be overwhelming, especially when seeing the amount of available part options.
The Mouthpiece The mouthpiece is the direct link between you and the instrument, so needless to say playing on a good , comfortable mouthpiece is essential. Actually, it is a VERY complex element with many settings and characteristics that need factoring in… And honestly mouthpiece manufacturing is a science on its own. First off..
Next up… B. The Rim The rim of the mouthpiece is the parts your lips touch and where the most stress is applied. And here is how the rim affects playability: Wide rims — are easier to play and increase endurance Narrow rims — are more difficult to play but increase the playing range Round rims — are more comfortable Sharp rims — are less comfortable than round rims but produce a brighter tone and a sharp attack Next up… C. The Cup The cup has 2 main varying factors: The Depth — deep cups create dark tones in the low register, shallow cups create a brighter tone and produce a quicker response.
The Width — large cups increase volume and offer more control at the expense of endurance. Next up… D. The Throat The throat of a mouthpiece also varies in shape and size and its characteristics are essentially the same as the cup. And the narrower the throat, the more resistance it will apply on the airflow, thus: Narrow, long throats — produce more resistance, increase playability in the high register, produce a faster response and a brighter tone. Larger and shorter throats — produce a darker tone, offer more control in the lower register but require more air to produce a consistent tone, leading to potential fatigue from the player.
And to conclude the mouthpiece part… E. The Backbore The backbore is the part where the throat starts to widen again. Next up… 2. The reason the trombone is a unique instrument is precisely because of the slide : It turns the trombone into the ONLY brass instrument able to play glissandi , and to go from one note to the other gradually , as opposed to abruptly for others, such as the trumpet.
The Bore Size Probably the most important factor of all, the bore size refers to the diameter of the slide of the trombone. In fact, the bore size is so important it actually give its name to the trombone type: Large bore trombones. Generally, trombone are ordered in 4 types of bore sizes with the 2 main ones being: Large bore. To get an idea of how different both these sound, have a look at this guy playing both types back to back: Now, in addition to large bore and small bore trombones there 2 more options that are less common but still relevant.
These are: Double bore — which are a special type of trombone that uses 2 different bore sizes, smaller on the mouthpiece tube and larger on the other tube. Medium bore. The outer slide — which is the part you move in order to change the pitch. Luckily there are some visual ways to remember where these positions are on the trombone.
But the main reason most modern trombones are built with an F attachment is because it allows the player to reach normally difficult 7th position notes easily , in closer positins… Which eventually translates in greater ease of play and increased playing speed, since it makes you save a lot of slide movements. Check out this video to get a better idea of the differences in playing the same notes with , and without the F attachment trigger: Specifically, here is a list of note you can expect to play with more ease with an F attachment trombone: E natural Eb D Db C Thank you for reaching out.
This involves more bends in the tubing. However, some advanced and professional players might reach a point where they realize they like everyting about their horn but the bell… Or maybe they want some change but are not willing to just replace the whole instrument. It can be soldered to the bead, or not. First off… 1. Diameter The diameter is probably the most noticeable characteristics when glancing at a trombone bell. Larger diameters — offer a wider , rounder sound and are used for large-bore trombones that play in orchestras.
And although there is no real consensus on the subject, most sources agree that: Thicker walls — create heavier bells and a warmer sound, suited for large bore trombones Thinner walls — create lighter bells and a more direct, brigther sound and are suited for jazz trombones.
Next up… 3. Material There are 4 main types of materials used for bell making, most of them are a mix of brass and zinc in different amounts. Next up… 4. Next up… 5. Tapering Rate Another pretty technical characteristic, the tapering rate is directly related to the shape of the bell.
Generally, bell shapes are ordered in 2 categories: Slow tapers dotted line on the image on the right — which provide brighter sounds Fast tapers solid line — which provide warmer sounds Got it?
And finally… 6. There are several manufacturers that make excellent trombones including Yamaha, Bach, Conn, and Mendini.
This list is not all inclusive of the best trombone brands in the world, but are a sampling of the best trombones for beginning and intermediate students. Yamaha has become the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world and makes trombones and other instruments in a range of styles and price points.
The company was established in and is one of the most respected brands for musical instruments. The company is an American manufacturer specializing in brass instruments and is a subsidiary of Conn-Selmer. After many changes in ownership, the company eventually became Conn-Selmer and is a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments.
If you are looking for the best beginner trombones by the leading brands in the trombone industry, start with these top trombone reviews. Keep in mind that if you get serious about the trombone, you will want to upgrade to an intermediate trombone before high school or before beginning competition settings. This trombone is one of the standard trombones made by Yamaha and is considered their student model. One of the best advantages this trombone has to offer is that it was specifically built by Yamaha for students so that students could sound professional as soon as possible.
These trombones are durable and tested to ensure quality before being shipped to the student trombone player. The only disadvantage there is to this trombone is that, at over one thousand dollars, it can be a bit pricey , especially if purchasing for a child. While the price tag may seem a bit high, you can be sure that Yamaha backs up their instruments and the standard tenor trombone is the most popular trombone sold by Yamaha.
Student trombones like the YSL are perfect for students in grades K-8 or students that are not competing. This trombone, as well as all Bach instruments are made in the United States using high quality materials. This trombone is a yellow brass with a clear lacquer coat with a. The inner hand slide tubes are nickel silver plated in chrome which make for quick and easy sliding and a smooth surface. The same craftsmen that build the professional Bach models such as the Stradivarius also build the student models making the expert craftsmanship unrivaled by other competitors.
Bach instruments are known for their clear and resonant sound from their hand hammered bells that are also durable and versatile. The only disadvantage to the Bach TB tenor trombone is that it is slightly heavier than its competitors at sixteen pounds.
Bach instruments are consistently recommended along side Yamaha instruments as perfect for beginner trombone players. The bore is only. This student trombone is unrivaled by the price for value. While this trombone is affordable and great to learn the basics on , the craftsman that create the Prelude series build off stringent requirement. These student models also do not come with the F attachment and are therefore extremely lightweight and easy to carry for the beginning marching band student.
The body is made from yellow brass and the manufacturer makes no mention of what the inner or outer hand slides are made from or plated with. This trombone is sold as a beginners kit on Amazon and through other retailers that comes with a plush-lined hard shell carry case, a pocketbook for trombone, gloves, soft cleaning cloth, and oil for the slide.
Mendini also includes a one year manufacturers warranty against product defects. This Mendini by Cecilio trombone is also extremely lightweight at only eleven pounds and does not include the F wrap.
Most high school students, and especially college trombone players, will need to upgrade to an intermediate trombone. If you are competing, an intermediate trombone is vital to your performance. The bore horns are medium-large in intermediate trombones which produce better tone and projection of sound. The C. Conn trombones are known for their innovative brass design and is the largest United States producer of trombones. This brand is often used in professional symphonies.
This intermediate trombone comes with a traditional F wrap. Conn 52H greatest advantage is its superior sound quality and F wrap section that provides stability and consistency in sound. These instruments also use rose brass rather than yellow brass. A silver plate finish is also available. Although C. Use these classifications for general guidance. Due to their craftsmanship and size, professional trombones are typically reserved for those who play the trombone for a living. While the bore size will affect many aspects of the instrument, the two most important are its playability and overall sound.
Not only are smaller bore trombones easier to play, but they require less air to create a good tone. Once your child masters a a trombone with a smaller bore, they may want to upgrade to a medium or larger bore instrument for a fuller, better sound. As is the case with virtually every other purchase, the cost of a trombone has a lot to do with who manufactures it. To be on the safe side, stick with recognized names in the industry that have a reputation for manufacturing high-quality instruments, such as Bach or Yamaha.
Brand names become even more important when purchasing a used instrument, as better brands are less likely to deteriorate over time. Similar to many other instruments, there are a variety of accessories a trombonist will need, including mouthpieces slide oil, and slide lubricant. The mouthpiece, arguably the most important part of a trombone, should be changed whenever the trombonist wants a different sound.
For example, orchestral players often prefer broader, deeper mouthpieces that provide a richer tone, while jazz players prefer shallower mouthpieces. Also important are slide oil and slide lubricant, as regular maintenance is crucial to keeping a trombone in working order. In many cases, purchasing a gently used trombone is fine, as long as you replace the mouthpiece before use.
Perhaps the most important part of trombone maintenance is keeping the slide well-oiled. When not in use, a trombone should be properly disassembled and stored in a dedicated case. New to brass instruments?
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