Ignore the wrong note please 🫩

I’ve been kinda lurking around here seeing what the modern tbone meta is like after being away for so long. I played through all of middle/high school with thoughts of going into music myself, but decided against it. Fast forward 12 years later, turns out I really fuckin miss making music, so I pick up my old Bach student horn and see where I can get myself back to while preparing an audition for the concert band, figuring might as well try and see how far I can go. Got in, somehow, and have been playing in the band since September.

I didn’t have immediate plans to upgrade my instrument since EVERYTHING has gotten more expensive while I’ve been away (new mouthpiece prices made me scream), and thought I’d give myself at least a year on my student horn, since it wasn’t a bad horn by any stretch. But, I came across this Holton 1970s-ish horn on kijiji for $350 (Canadian) and figured I’d give it a go. I played on nice bass bones growing up but never played on a “nicer” tenor, and while this one’s kind of a lateral move, it was shocking how little resistance it took to play. And, with a 5G, tone is still nice and resonant. Suffice to say I am already having a lot of fun with this thing (.500 bore so it feels really flexible, high register feels like a walk in the park). + vanity points for silver bone on a guy who only wears silver metals.

Anyways, this is just to say, if anyone’s been thinking about getting back into playing, especially in an ensemble, it’s so worth it. And something about cold plums. Happy to be a boner again.

For those of you who have done your own satin or scratch finishes on your trombones, do you typically apply lacquer over the top of the finish? I have a Getzen Super Deluxe Artist Model that I just refinished, but I'd like to keep the copper and silver from tarnishing. Do factory satin finishes come with lacquer? Any advice would be great, thank you!

I have seen this discussed before, but usually with some fairly generic answers like the Bourgeois concerto, Fly or Die, and Blue Bells of Scotland (as if...). For my trombone rep nerds, what do you think might actually be the toughest piece and why? Some contenders that come to mind for me include the de Frumerie concerto, Aho Symphony no. 9, or Trookh by Xenakis, but what do you all think?

My high range is slowly improving (and I mean sloooowwly....), but I'm having trouble attacking F4 without hitting the D4 below it first.

If I'm leading up to it in a scale I'm usually fine now, but any jumps to F4 or starting a piece with it and I invariably hit the D first.

What exercises can I do to improve this please? I'm currently doing this one daily, and I've definitely become better at it. But I'd be keen to know what other exercises I could be working on!

I'm trying to focus on Burger Bob's advice (from one of his YT videos), where you set the embouchure first and then breathe through the corners of your mouth before playing. Before it was one jumbled mess of gulping like a fish and trying to fix my embouchure all in one go. But I'm struggling to visualise what I'm even doing to get F4 out, and so I'm struggling to set my embouchure mentally.

Thank you

That was my one take attempt to cover one of the hardest trombone piece by Streetlight Manifesto.

I've been playing for the past three years and I felt that the natural way to get better beyond high school is to go pro. With how the economy is going and my lifestyle, I realized going pro isn't the way for me.

Could I ask anyone who fits this description what they do for a job or where they play with other people?

Serial 220###. Tell me everything you know about this beauty, please.

The director at my local Youth Symphony said he picked this piece for our Spring concert because he knows I can play it - quite an ego boost, but one heck of an undertaking. Wish me luck, and if there's any resources/masterclasses online for it you recommend, please share!!

I was told by the low brass band staff that my tuning slide is too far out, and that it’s an embouchure issue so I’ve been trying to work on it.

Im just wondering if when you’re tuning do you have the handslide all the way in or a little bit out? because when I go to first position i never go all the way to the bumpers but I can’t remember if I’ve been told to have my slide all the way in when tuning.

Hi! So for a bit of context, I was in band when I was younger for 3 years but then dropped out as soon as I got into high school. I still was very involved closely to band due to extracurriculars but never tried it again. But the thing is, I never stopped loving the band and I always was very supportive. People still thought (or assumed) I was in band, and it broke my heart to say no. I’m in my junior year now and yesterday my band had not advanced to state but got 8th place in the area.

Now here’s my problem, I want to return to band for my senior year (because I know I’ll have the time and opportunity to do it), but I just want to have my own trombone (not rented) so that I can have it even after I graduate. So, can anyone recommend me any bass trombones that are good and affordable? (I would love for maintenance equipment to be included with the trombone.)

Im a higher intermediate ish trombone player looking for some solos or maybe a duo song to play i want all the sauce maybe on the jazzy side but just overall looking for something that sounds like straight heaven to play...

I struggle with my high register and can hit the high b flat but not consistently and I need to for my etude multiple times so I need to fix it. I have braces. Pls help🙏

I have 27 days until my Senior Clinic Audition and I am still struggling with high ranges. I’m in 10th grade and this will be my 4th year in band. the highest note I can currently play is only a high G. Is there any tips that can help me. For my audition I need to be able to get to the high Bb. Honestly know I probably won’t be able to play that by the time I need to but what can I do to at least help me build up to it?

edit: I can technically reach the notes but not for long and it’s very airy

I left my regular mouthpiece in a different case and all I had was this old piece that came with this 1935 Conn 44H when I bought it. It's labeled Conn 2 and is definitely smaller than what I normally play (Giddings Harry Waters model). Anyway, can anyone tell me anything about this mouthpiece?

Hi, I’m not a trombone player myself but a tuba player and I want to arrange some sheet music for trombone. What range do you like playing in and how high and low can you go? For comparison, on tuba I can play C1 to E4 and I like A1 to F3 the most.
Thanks!

Shortly after playing an entire concert on first part In a wind ensemble. Not my best work.

I'm back to share what I think is the final version of my trombone parts diagram. I've had great help along the way from Reddit, Facebook groups, amateur and professional players I know, and a repair tech at a well-respected local shop. Thank you all. It's a much better diagram because of you.

I really wanted to stick with a fully assembled trombone, but I was eventually convinced to show the slide tenon by separating the bell and slide just a little. It still looks like a complete trombone while fitting in a part you interact with every time you assemble your horn.

This isn't meant to be extremely technical or to cover everything you'd discuss with a repair technician or custom instrument builder, so I've deliberately left out smaller parts like ferrules, different valve types (or any valve internals), springs, and any cutaways besides the "inside view" showing the slide stocking. 

The goal is to show the parts that come up in lessons, rehearsals, and everyday playing – and fit it all on one page that could serve as a handout or poster – rather than trying to cover absolutely everything in a multi-page comprehensive guide.

This diagram also only covers tenor trombone – bass trombone would need another diagram of its own to cover the different tuning options, levers, and single/double/dependent/independent/etc. valve configurations.

Nothing like this is ever 100% complete (which is part of the reason I'm sharing it under Creative Commons licenses), but I'd love one more look from the community here. Do any labels seem unclear or confusing, especially from the point of view of a newer player or teacher? Is anything missing that you'd really expect to see? And if you disagree with any of my choices, I'm happy to hear it and explain my thinking.

For anyone who wants to print it at poster size, there's a free high-resolution PNG on my website. The high-res version is available for noncommercial use, but allows educators to use it in paid settings. I’ll update it if I make any tweaks.

Thanks again for all the help!

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had experience of playing trombone after a broken nose?

I started learning trombone about 9 months ago and have been really enjoying it. Then, about 4 weeks ago, I tripped over while out for a walk and fell flat on my face. I broke my nose and got a concussion.

I’m starting to feel a bit better but my nose is still sore, and I get fatigued fairly easily due to the concussion. I am waiting to see an ENT - I will probably need surgery on my nose.

I want to get back into practicing but feeling unsure where to start. I practiced a little today, did some scales and lip slurs. Seems ok as long as I stay in the low to mid register. But I’m having trouble with my embouchure and breath. I feel like I’ve lost confidence and trying not to get disheartened.

Any words of encouragement welcome!

How do I get the lip trill on a double G to be faster and more free sounding? I feel like im really forcing it right now

Hello friends! So I used to play trombone throughout middle and high school and recently picked it back up at 21. Back I school I neglected truly learning which notes were which slide positions. I can read the notes but I just can’t always tell which position I need to be in. I used to often refer to my position sheet and would just write in the slide position. Any tips? Any resources to practice putting the two together?