Trombone Lessons - What are the differences between Small Bore, Large Bore and Bass Trombones?

Welcome to Trombone World
In this video I will be explaining the differences between the most common types of trombones you are going to encounter from Junior High to High School. If you have been curious about the trigger or double trigger system on the Symphonic Trombone and Bass Trombone you are in the right place. Hopefully you enjoy the video. If you have any questions and suggestions with other trombone topics you would like me to cover please feel free to leave a comment. You can also write your suggestions to:
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00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Bore Sizes
02:05 - Bell Sizes
03:09 - Mouthpiece Shank Sizes
04:39 - Applications (What do you use each trombone for?)
06:34 - Medium Bore Trombones
07:28 - Triggers (What do they do?)
12:40 - Valve Trombone

[@kirbovr]

As a newer trombone player I thought I would want one of the cooler trigger trombones but now I'm realizing that just makes it double complicated for just starting band 3 and 1/2 months ago but thanks for the video it's really helpful and understanding the differences in the functions of what these trombones do

[@LowBrassLuke]

I would definitely wait to get a trigger trombone. It’s not necessary when you’re starting out and it’s also a little bit heavier to hold. Happy practicing!

[@anthony.rt.]

Been playing trumpet for 6 years and going to rent a trombone tommorow to play regional mexican music. Thanks for the clarification because i was looking up mouthpieces and they were mentioning small shank and large shank and i was confused. Looking forward to getti that small bore tenor tommorow now!

[@keithshockley3443]

I rarely hear folks in my social circles and group of friends talk about the trombone. I know, the bone can be a hard instrument to master but, not as hard as the trumpet, French horn or piccolo trumpet as they have smaller mouthpieces and tougher to get an embouchure. The tuba isn’t hard or euphonium either for that matter since they have a large cup shaped mouthpiece and require lots of air though due to being conical tubing by nature (like the horn). The trombone is a very fun and physical instrument that is often overlooked by the horn and trumpet and other high pitched treble instruments! It can be a challenge to play fast, upbeat songs with the slide alone.

[@mikeshirk8641]

It would be great to see a follow-up to this with recommendations for students - or, in my case, a band director with a woodwind background. I often have students who want to upgrade from their first non-trigger tenor trombone. We have jazz band and concert band, so would you recommend they keep their old small bore, small shank tenor for jazz band and get a large bore trigger trombone for concert band, or just get a medium bore trigger trombone for both? Or something else entirely?

[@ruby2thursday]

nice practice room!

[@keithshockley3443]

I am able to play down to low Bb and A on my independent bass trombone using both the first and second valves.

[@gavinmonster5435]

What kind of bass trombone did you use in the video? I'm looking into getting a new bass trombone and trying to see which one is most recommended.

[@georgeschaut2178]

With the large bore symphonic tenor, you can still get that super low B natural, but you have to stop & pull out the f attach tuning slide almost all the way. If that's not possible, then I would bring it up an octave. I think that a medium bore tenor with an f attach would be a good all-purpose horn (e.g., Bach 36b).

[@LowBrassLuke]

True. The issue just becomes that all the other positions are different if you tune the trigger to reach the low B. Generally you won’t have to play a Low B on a trigger horn anyway. A medium bore can be a good all around horn but it doesn’t always fit perfectly well. It’s a more difficult instrument to play lead on in a jazz band and sometimes too small to play in a concert band or orchestra. It definitely has its uses.

[@tqhien]

Great video ! There's also single valve bass trombones. What would be its use case ?

[@LowBrassLuke]

There are some types of repertoire that you can use them for but I’m honestly not sure where exactly. I’ve always owned a double trigger bass trombones. More options and a Low B :)

[@Forestman000]

@LowBrassLuke sorry to necropost on this comment but single trigger basses are often used for younger students transitioning from a peashooter (no valve) to bass, as it’s less complicated and not as heavy :)

[@piggdsbest333]

Geat video, wich tenor would you recommand for Military Marching bands? Such as British Army band or US army band ? Thank you.

[@LowBrassLuke]

I wouldn’t honestly know. I would think that Military bands have information on what kind on instrument is needed. You could always ask a specific army band directly or talk to people in those bands.

[@7Tsmusic]

How do I tune the g flat trigger?

[@LowBrassLuke]

You can tune it to Gb. Use a drone or tuner. I’ll be releasing a video specific to Bass Trombone in a couple weeks.

[@atxhooligan]

What is this trombone I have that instead of a regular slide the slide has 3 valves like a trumpet instead of a moving slide? I found it in my inventory. Need help, my dad passed and left me his inventory any help would be appreciated

[@LowBrassLuke]

It’s called a Valve Trombone.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

1. What isxthe difference between a valved trombone & a bass trumpet? 2. Is there such a thing as an alto or contrabass trombone? 3. Where does a cimbasso fit in?

[@snowlight-]

i know alto and contra trombones exist. not sure about the other questions.

[@thechumbinator3070]

1. the difference, at least from my (Very limited) experience, is just the shape. they both function the same. 2. Yes to both. 3. it doesn't

[@micahslobcrud5958]

Yet, for valve trombones, many are pitched in C for Mexican Banda Music. Thoughts? Personally I think that all valve trombones should be "superbones" as regards intonation. On the other hand, for a drunken crowd, playing mostly tonal dance music, what the hey, eh? Like, who's gonna complain?

[@keithshockley3443]

I thought that alto trombones are just as common as the other tenor trombones. A lot of composers use the alto trombone and is one of the highest members of the brass family.

[@LowBrassLuke]

I mentioned in the description to the video that the trombones I talk about are the most common ones you’ll encounter from Junior High to High School. If you go into the professional world and specifically to play classical repertoire then you will certainly encounter and use an Alto Trombone. It is a much more specialized instrument.

[@keithshockley3443]

@@LowBrassLuke You forgot to mention the rare contrabass trombones and lesser common cimbasso. But, you typically here and come across those in a lot of film scores. Nice, informative video. Lol

[@LowBrassLuke]

@@keithshockley3443 as I mentioned, I only focused on instruments you’ll run into from Junior High to High School. If you enter the professional world you’ll run into more like the ones you mention in your comment.

[@keithshockley3443]

I enjoy your knowledge and information of trombone talk in this video. You don’t hear ppl talk about trombones nowadays. It’s all about the guitar section, flute family, saxophone types, violins