How to Buy a Trombone

The trombone supplies a rich sound to the band and orchestra. It's an instrument with a superb history. Music directors love to have a strong trombone section. You will be a welcome addition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Music Stands
• Trombone Cases
• Trombone Mouthpieces
• Trombones
• Sheet Music
• The Trombone Album CD

1. Determine how much money you want to invest in a trombone. Use the age and maturity of the student as a guideline.
2. Include in your calculation a well-braced trombone case of wood or metal with plenty of internal protective padding. Avoid a leather case at this point.
3. Examine the trombone's tone quality while using your own mouthpiece. This characteristic is the prime attribute of any instrument.
4. Realize the influence of bore size and bore type on the tone produced by the instrument. The bore is the inside diameter of the instrument tubing.
5. Understand that a large-bore instrument requires good breath support on the part of the musician. A large-bore trombone will usually produce a "big," "rich," and "fat" tone or resonance. Openness and ease would characterize the nature of this sound.
6. Understand that a small-bore trombone may be easier to blow, but the sound produced can be "thin" and "shallow," almost constricted. A good tone should be "free" and "clear," not "squeezed" or "pinched." Small-bore instruments have a very "sharp edge" or "focus" in the tone. Tonal brilliance and penetration are sometimes desired for high range by the lead horn in a big-band jazz ensemble. Taste is the determining factor.
7. Compare and evaluate the tone of a large- and a small-bore instrument in the music shop. Tone quality and ease of production will be evident to the performer and a listener.
8. Realize that bell construction and the nature of the bell or "flare" - how large the final opening becomes and how quickly - vary with the manufacturer.
9. Purchase a case with a key or combination lock-latch to discourage those eager to experiment with a friend's instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• Bore type is either cylindrical or conical. A cylindrical bore has the same interior dimension from the beginning to the end of the tube.
• A conical bore gradually increases along the interior walls of the tubing. The "yell-leader" megaphone is an extreme example of conical bore.
• The bass trombone has the largest bore if we don't include the tuba, which has a massive bore.
• Quality instruments for the beginner are available at local music stores that have a rent-to-buy program. Once "purchase certainty" is established by parents or the musician, part of the rental cost is often applicable to the ultimate purchase price of any instrument in the merchant's inventory.
• The musician is the production source of the sound. Producing an excellent tone is enhanced by a fine instrument.
• Beware of any constriction existing in the long, playing slide of the instrument. Speed, dexterity and ease of action are required for rapid passages as well as for accuracy of pitch in a slow tune such as a ballad.
• Tolerate absolutely no frozen or dented slides, loose movement or poor seals in the tubing and spit valves.