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

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

[@KrisstianRiano]

By changing the shape of your embechore, you could play the unavailable notes for the straight tenor

[@LowBrassLuke]

Yes. Those are called false tones.

[@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 :)

[@Verde_Forest]

@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 :)

[@MrSwinginjoe]

Luke, what's your opinion between a Blessing BBTB62R and a Shires TBQ36GR? I currently run a Blessing BTB 1488OR as my primary tenor trombone. I'm mainly a soloist.

[@LowBrassLuke]

Unfortunately I can’t be much help as I haven’t played either of those horns.

[@MrSwinginjoe]

@LowBrassLuke okay. I'm pretty sure I am going to the Blessing BBTB62R. I really love my Blessing BTB 1488OR, so it just makes sense that my primary bass trombone is a Blessing BBTB62R.

[@TunaFish1701]

I have a 7" bell on my p-shooter

[@Chencho-fh1th]

What brand did you get for your tenor trigger trombone??

[@LowBrassLuke]

My trigger trombone is a Yamaha 20th Anniversary.

[@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?

[@LowBrassLuke]

A medium for both could work. I would suggest keeping the small bore for jazz if it’s in good condition. Especially for the lead player. You can get away with using a large bore trigger on 3rd parts but I prefer all small bores in the jazz section except for the bass trombone. I’m always happy to recommend trombones to students and help them find a good used pro horn. I’ve done it lots of times for my own students. Feel free to shoot me an email at lowbrassluke at gmail.

[@ruby2thursday]

nice practice room!

[@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.

[@RoyPickering-l3i]

Good evening! I've just discovered your series and I'm very impressed. Lots of good information. I have played a small bore King 3B for many years and am considering a new horn. What differences (advantages) might I find in a medium bore (525) horn, and would the air required be vastly different? Thank you so much!

[@LowBrassLuke]

A 525 needs a bit more air since the tubes are larger. It has a bigger sound as well. No advantages to me really. It’s just a different trombone that gets a different sound. If you want a bigger sound it will give it to you.

[@RoyPickering-l3i]

@LowBrassLuke Awesome! I didn't want to invest in the larger bore and then find myself gasping for air. I should be OK. One more. When I shop online, the great majority of horns offered have F attachments. Not interested in that, but would these typically have the 525 bore?

[@LowBrassLuke]

@@RoyPickering-l3ian F attachment doesn’t mean it’s a specific bore. You have to know what models are .525. You can find .525 horns with triggers and without. Same thing goes for .547 symphonic trombones. You can find those with and without triggers. Look up different brands and the descriptions of the horns. If you’re looking at getting a pro horn I do offer a service where I can help find a great deal for essentially what I charge for an hour lesson ($70). I generally recommend used professional horns as they give you the best quality for a great price.

[@RoyPickering-l3i]

Interesting. Actually, I believe I know know what to do. There has been a nice Bach 36 on Reverb that has seemed to call to me. I think I will answer! Thank you so much!

[@AspartameBoy]

Super-bone: slide and valves

[@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.

[@RoyPickering-l3i]

Another question! Thank you for being there! Shopping online, I've had a couple of horns get away from me, so I'm working with what's currently available. I've found a great horn at a good price, but I've played a 508 bore all my life and this is a 547. I hadn't really wanted to go to a large bore. Is the air required really that vastly different, and how does that affect notes in the upper register (above middle C)?

[@LowBrassLuke]

A 547 is a completely different trombone. Large symphonic bore. The air required is different everywhere and the sound is larger and less direct.

[@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.

[@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?

[@m7Parker]

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

[@T3SS3R4ACT]

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

[@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.

[@LowBrassLuke]

In this video I have a Yamaha 830 bass trombone. That model is now discontinued. The new model (which I have now) is a 835. Mine is a 835D (D for detachable bell).

[@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.

[@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?

[@LowBrassLuke]

Honestly didn’t know about C trombones and I never got a change to play a superbone. At least not yet. Maybe someday.

[@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