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Setup & Equipment
The trombone family, instruments, mouthpieces, attachments, and maintenance from Day 1
The Trombone Family
Key Idea
For public school band directors, the tenor trombone is the instrument you’ll work with 99% of the time. Start beginners on a straight (no attachment) small bore horn, then transition to a trigger trombone within 2–3 years.
Tenor Trombone
- Pitched in B♭; non-transposing — reads concert pitch in bass clef.
- The most common school instrument for MS/JH and HS concert band.
- Beginners start on a straight (no attachment) small bore horn.
- Students transition to a tenor with F attachment (trigger trombone) within 2–3 years for MS/HS use.
- The F attachment extends the instrument’s range down to E♭–C below the bass clef staff — notes usually played by bass trombone.
Bass Trombone
- Pitched in B♭; non-transposing.
- A color instrument — it is NOT an octave lower than tenor trombone. It produces a rounder, fuller sound.
- Features two attachments: F/G♭ + D/D♭.
- Uses a larger mouthpiece than tenor trombone.
- Only appropriate for mature HS players.
Alto Trombone
- Pitched in E♭; non-transposing.
- Sounds a perfect 4th higher than tenor trombone.
- Smaller bore and brighter tone than tenor.
- About half the size of tenor trombone, so slide positions are different.
- Used mainly in symphony orchestras for Baroque–Romantic literature.
- NOT recommended for public school use.
Other Instruments
- Soprano Trombone: Pitched in B♭. Essentially a “slide trumpet” that uses a trumpet mouthpiece. A novelty instrument — NOT for school use.
- Contrabass Trombone: Pitched in B♭. Features a double slide. NOT for schools.
- Valve Trombone: Pitched in B♭. The “platypus of the trombone family.” Used in polka bands, military bands, and as a cimbasso substitute. NOT for schools.
Recommended Instruments
Beginner Tenor Trombones
| Brand | Model | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | YSL-345 | $1,197 | Preferred beginner trombone. Quality material. Straight, small bore. |
| Bach | TB300 | $540 | Lighter weight, less expensive alternative. Good budget option. |
Step-Up Guidance
Students should step up to a professional/trigger trombone within 2–3 years. A beginner horn could be repurposed for marching band, but stepping up is strongly encouraged.
Professional Tenor Trombones
| Brand | Model | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bach | 42BO | $4,603 | Open-wrap F attachment, rotary valve. Quality can be inconsistent unit-to-unit. |
| Conn | 88H | $3,997 | Closed-wrap. Very old, time-tested design. |
| Eastman by S.E. Shires | ETB630 | $2,360 | Custom-built quality. Axial-flow valve. 3 interchangeable leadpipes. |
| Edwards | T350-E | $3,700+ | Fully customizable. Axial-flow valve. Outstanding orchestral instrument. |
| Edwards | T398-A | $4,700+ | Alessi model. Rotax valve. Versatile across all settings. |
Bass Trombones
| Brand | Model | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bach | 50T3 | $9,308 | B♭/F/G♭. .562″ bore. Thayer valve. |
| Getzen | 3062 AF | $7,540 | B♭/F/G♭/D. Dual axial flow valves. |
| Edwards | B54(E) | $4,700+ | Extremely versatile. Available in dependent and independent configurations. |
Mouthpiece Selection
Recommended Mouthpieces
| Level | Brand / Model | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Bach 6½ AL | $74.99 | Small shank. Medium cup. Standard beginner mouthpiece. |
| Intermediate | Bach 5G | $109 | Available in large or small shank. Larger cup for developing players. |
| Intermediate | Schilke 51D | $110 | Step-up mouthpiece. Available in gold plating. |
| Professional | Highly subjective — Griego, Greg Black, Doug Elliott, and Schilke are all popular choices among professionals. | ||
Mouthpiece Factors
- Rim width: Affects comfort and endurance vs. flexibility.
- Cup depth: Deeper = darker, richer tone; shallower = brighter, more focused.
- Shank size / back bore: Must match the instrument’s receiver.
- Plating: Silver (standard, less expensive) or gold (personal preference — develops later).
Bore Size & Shank Matching
- Small bore (.500″): Typical of straight beginner trombones.
- Large bore (.547″): Standard on professional trigger trombones.
- Small shank mouthpieces fit straight trombones and small euphoniums.
- Large shank mouthpieces fit trigger trombones and large euphoniums.
- Do NOT use mouthpiece adapters — always match the shank size to the instrument’s receiver.
Silver vs. Gold Plating
Start all beginners on silver-plated mouthpieces — they are cheaper, and personal preference for gold plating develops later as the student matures. There is no pedagogical reason to invest in gold plating for a beginning trombonist.
Teaching Tip
When a student steps up from a straight trombone to a trigger trombone, they will also need to switch from a small shank to a large shank mouthpiece. Do NOT use adapters — purchase the correct shank.
Attachments & Maintenance
Attachment Terminology
- Straight: No attachment — the typical beginner small bore horn.
- F-attachment (trigger): Found on tenor trombones. Extends range down to E♭–C below the staff. Standard for MS/HS players after 2–3 years.
- Open wrap: Tubing extends past the main tuning slide with one curve. Preferred — less restricted airflow.
- Closed wrap: “Traditional” design. All tubing is contained inside the main tuning slide.
- Bass trombone attachments: Two valves — F/G♭ + D/D♭.
Valve Types
- Rotary valve: The standard valve type found on most trigger trombones.
- Thayer valve: Conical design. Smoother action and a more open, free-blowing sound.
- Axial-flow valve: Similar benefits to Thayer — open airflow, smooth operation. Found on Shires, Edwards, and other custom makers.
Maintenance Kit
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trombotine | $9 | Slide lubricant. Traditional cream-style. |
| Yamaha Slide Lubricant | $12.99 | Slide lubricant. Alternative to Trombotine. |
| Slide-O-Mix | $19 | Two-part system. Buy the full system — NOT “Rapid Comfort.” |
| Small spray bottle | — | For water on the slide. Essential daily accessory. |
| Micro Trombone Cleaning Snake | $9.99 | For inner and outer slides. Clean every 6 months. |
| Cleaning Rod | $10.99 | Used with cheesecloth for the inner slide. |
| Cheesecloth | — | Wrap around cleaning rod for inner slide maintenance. |
| Schilke Tuning Slide Grease | $6 | Once or twice a year, very sparingly. |
| Leblanc Polishing Cloth | $11 | Must be for lacquered brass — NOT silver-plated. |
| BERP | $21.95 | Buzzing with resistance. Excellent for ear training. |
Warning
The trombone slide is a precision instrument. Never grab the inner slide tubes directly — oils from skin cause corrosion and drag. Always hold the slide by the outer brace. Clean and lubricate the slide regularly for smooth, fast action.