ABOUT EQUIPMENT
NOTE: a college-bound music major should WAIT for advice from their new college trombone professor –
BEFORE – BUYING – ANYTHING!
(also, see Supplies & Accessories)
IMPORTANT: Aidan Ritchie offers some vital information about TROMBONE SCAMS! Check it out!
NOTE to parents and grandparents: surprise graduation gifts (or birthday or Christmas) can be disasters!
Now then (my favorite oxymoron), I play a Greenhoe bass trombone, built to my specifications. It is wonderful. It is not inexpensive! If you can afford one – and KNOW what you want/need – I can't recommend it highly enough. If not, read on.
FIRST, if at all possible, don't buy anything without competent, trustworthy, advice. The best advice would come from a professional trombonist – even if you take only one lesson for this purpose – a phone consult could suffice. Also, they likely have their finger on the pulse of the used trombone market. [See: "Are Private Lessons Necessary?"]
Second, opinions on the "interwebs" are highly variable (especially on Facebook) and frequently WRONG regarding equipment (and many other topics). If you have a trombone teacher, follow their advice – mine is as follows:
Costly mistakes can be avoided with good advice – don't make them.
That said, my thoughts on supplies, accessories, and ergonomic aids can be found here.
FIRST, if at all possible, don't buy anything without competent, trustworthy, advice. The best advice would come from a professional trombonist – even if you take only one lesson for this purpose – a phone consult could suffice. Also, they likely have their finger on the pulse of the used trombone market. [See: "Are Private Lessons Necessary?"]
Second, opinions on the "interwebs" are highly variable (especially on Facebook) and frequently WRONG regarding equipment (and many other topics). If you have a trombone teacher, follow their advice – mine is as follows:
- Beginners are best served by moderate equipment. A .495 to .508 bore trombone and a mouthpiece in the range of a Bach 12C to 7 is good – there are many.
- A quality used trombone (or mouthpiece – see below) can be a good value, but trustworthy advice and reputable vendors are essential. Also, having a teacher/professional inspect and play-test the instrument – BEFORE buying – is a VERY good idea!
- Regarding new instruments: some bargain brands are bargains – some are NOT – get advice.
- An F-attachment is not necessary for beginners – and may be too heavy, cumbersome, and unnecessarily complex.
- If they can’t reach extended positions, get ‘em an Extendabone! Even if they can reach, twisting and straining can mess up their chops.
- Bass trombone is best reserved for intermediate students.
- An intermediate trombonist is best served by a good used professional instrument [see 2nd point above].
Costly mistakes can be avoided with good advice – don't make them.
That said, my thoughts on supplies, accessories, and ergonomic aids can be found here.
MOUTHPIECES
NOTE: I play a $300 Giddings mouthpiece with my name on it (actually closer to $600 in titanium). I LOVE it and endorse Giddings Mouthpieces enthusiastically! Ivan Giddings and I also designed a slightly smaller piece which is great, too; and a contrabass trombone mouthpiece. Ivan’s whole line is top flight.
For young players, a good mouthpiece is VERY important, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to spend a lot of money early on. FAXX mouthpieces are just excellent and VERY reasonably priced. These are precise CNC copies of classic mouthpieces. Different merchants price them slightly differently – shop carefully. FAXX trombone mouthpieces come in the following sizes (If you need advice, get it):
Small shank: 12C, 7C, 6½AL, & 51D
Large shank: 6½AL, 5G, 4G & 51D
Bass Trombone: 1½G
NOTE: Generations of world-class bass trombonists have sounded – and still sound – just GREAT – on 1½Gs. There is absolutely no need for a "jumbotron" mouthpiece for a young bass trombonist.
When a trombonist matures enough to have an opinion, let the games begin! There are many fine mouthpieces out there. But be warned: the road to Bellevue (and bankruptcy) is paved with mouthpieces! (See Magic Equipment)
PS: A good private trombone teacher couldn't hurt!
For young players, a good mouthpiece is VERY important, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to spend a lot of money early on. FAXX mouthpieces are just excellent and VERY reasonably priced. These are precise CNC copies of classic mouthpieces. Different merchants price them slightly differently – shop carefully. FAXX trombone mouthpieces come in the following sizes (If you need advice, get it):
Small shank: 12C, 7C, 6½AL, & 51D
Large shank: 6½AL, 5G, 4G & 51D
Bass Trombone: 1½G
NOTE: Generations of world-class bass trombonists have sounded – and still sound – just GREAT – on 1½Gs. There is absolutely no need for a "jumbotron" mouthpiece for a young bass trombonist.
When a trombonist matures enough to have an opinion, let the games begin! There are many fine mouthpieces out there. But be warned: the road to Bellevue (and bankruptcy) is paved with mouthpieces! (See Magic Equipment)
PS: A good private trombone teacher couldn't hurt!