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Trombones

The trombone, a member of the brass family, is a relatively simple instrument, both to play and to purchase. As with most brass instruments, there are several different varieties of trombone, from the high-pitched Soprianino trombone, to the Bass and Contrabass trombones. However, many of these are only applicable for specialized orchestras or the highly advanced, so here we will focus on the three main types of trombones: the Straight Tenor,  the Bass Trombone  and the F-Attachment Tenor  (aka Trigger-Type Tenor, aka F-Rotor).

There are other speciality trombones, such as the alto,  soprano,  soprianino,  contrabass,  valve  and piccolo,  but these are for the more seasoned trombonists and will not be discussed in-depth here. 

Straight Tenor

The straight tenor  is the most straight-forward type of trombone. It is the most commonly used trombone for beginners, but even so, its versatility means it's often used by the more seasoned trombonists.


Trigger-Type Tenor or F-Rotor (or F-Attachment)

The trigger-type trombone  is the straight tenor equipped with an attachment that lowers the fundamental pitch of the instrument from B-Flat to F. The attachment is about one metre in length. It elongates the slide, thus adding lower notes to the trombone.

There are two different types of F-Attachments:

Traditional (Standard) Wrap:  More compact, fits inside the main turning slide, and has more bends which increases resistance.

Open Wrap:  Has fewer bends and makes for freer blowing. 


Bass Trombone

The bass trombone  is pitched at B-flat, it is identical in length to the tenor trombone.

What to look for

If you are buying a trombone for your beginner child, it is important to remember that the overall quality of the instrument you purchase will not likely make or break his or her musical future. If your son decides the trombone is not for him and you are left £600 in the hole, well...you can imagine he'll have more than his musical future to worry about.  

In light of children's mercurial tendencies, trombone manufacturers produce instruments based on standard classifications - student,  intermediate,  and professional.  These generally reflect the quality of the instrument you are getting, but do not necessarily define which features you will or will not get at a certain level. Rather, the classifications are for general reference.

For a slightly graduated trombonist, a good parameter of the trrombone's relative difficulty is its "bore," which is the inner diameter of the inner valve, not a description of the entertainment value of the instrument. These measurements are expressed in thousandths of an inch, with 481" being a student appropriate size, and 547' being appropriate for professionals. Smaller bores produce more resistance, which is ideal for students, as more resistance makes it easier for the player to hold a tone. Bass trombones, which are usually played by experienced trombonists, have large bores. 

Some Suggestions

If you're shopping for your child, it may be in your best interest to buy your own trombone. An entry level trombone is your best bet. More expensive trombones do not guarantee the quality of the instrument, as the price may be higher for other reasons. Professional trombone player, Douglas Yeo, suggests the Yamaha YSL-354 tenor trombone  for beginners, stating that Yamaha is noted for its workmanship and produces a durable student model trombone.

A new trombone may excite a child new to music more than a slightly used one, but it's possible to find an excellent used trombone for a fraction of the price. Music stores allow their customers to come in and try out instruments for themselves, so take advantage of this! Naturally, the sales force will pressure you into buying something in the store, but if they can't give you a discount on the list price of something you liked, keep shopping. Do some research on reputable websites like Bonner's Music, Woowind & Brasswind and Musician's Friend to see how they've priced the same or similar trombones to the one that you initially liked. Minimizing uncertainty in your purchase will give your child the best quality while keeping your costs to a relative minimum. 

Also, if you find yourself suddenly irritable now that your child has taken to the trombone, consider buying a trombone mute.  

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