Return to Tips for Trombone Trombone Equipment	by Dr. Deb Scott Assistant Professor of Music Trombone SFA School of Music dscott@sfasu.edu

Recommended Equipment/Sizes
Important measurements for the trombone are the bore size (the diameter of the tubing) and the shank size (the width of the opening for the mouthpiece-large or small.)

* I believe that the smaller 11C mouthpiece is more compatible with a smaller beginning trombone.   Many new instruments are furnished with a 6 ½ AL mouthpiece that can be traded to a smaller size by the music store.  A good tone begins with the player and the player's concept of sound, not a mouthpiece.

Common Instrument Brands
Recommended:

• Conn
• Edwards
• Bach (jazz also)
• Benge
• King (jazz also)
• Getzen
• Yamaha

F-attachment

• The F-attachment adds extra tubing to the tenor trombone, allowing it to play lower.
• Pressing the trigger puts the harmonic series of the trombone into F, (rather than Bb).
• Its primary function is for the convenience of having alternate positions in the low register.
• It adds 4 notes to the low register to help bridge a gap between low E and pedal Bb.  (The low B is attainable if practiced by "lipping" down).
• It is a convenience but is not necessary.  Many principal trombonists in symphonies frequently play trombones without F-attachments.
• Open wrap is preferable

Mutes
In order of importance, trombonists should buy the following mutes:

• Straight (Denis Wick, Jo-Ral)
• Cup Mute (Humes and Berg, red and white)
• Plunger (from hardware store)
• Harmon (Wick or Jo-Ral)
• Bucket (The Soft Tone Mute) -- A relatively new answer to the bulky bucket mute, a neoprene cloth that fits over the end of the bell -- distributed by UMI.