I want to learn trombone

[Super Rad!]

I'm so glad this forum as been made!

I'm interested in learning trombone, but basically, I don't know where to begin. I don't know how to go about learning (good books? where to find a teacher?).

I'll need to buy one because there's only 2 music stores in my area, and only 1 sells trombones, and they don't rent them. I have no idea what to look for at all.

So pretty much, I just really want to learn trombone. I'm a blank slate and have no clue where to begin. Any help/advice is more that appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jazz Ad]

Are you still a student ?
I'd start with the school (college-uni-whatever) band.
A teacher is pretty much required for trombone.

[Super Rad!]

I'm nearing the end of my time at the local community college.

It seems like most people start learning instruments like trombone in middle school or so. How uncommon is it to learn later on?

[777Brad]

I'm a trumpet player. Maybe I can help!

Start asking around at music stores and college music departments. Those will probably be your best leads.

As Jazz Ad said; you will need a teacher. I have never met a self-taught trombone (or trumpet) player that could play worth a darn.



Brad

[sunburstbasser]

Finding a teacher is a MUST!

Are you sure that the music shop with trombones doesn't have some kind of rental program for band instruments? That'd be the first time I've seen that!

If not, if you are planning to stay in the area you may still be able to take lessons from the brass teacher at the college, and with any luck they'll even have a program setup for students to borrow instruments for a semester at a time. My college charges $25 for any instrument for a semester, for instance.

If that fails, find out who the teacher is, and take him to a pawn shop and have him play all the trombones they have until he finds one thats pretty nice and in your price range.

Even used, you'll probably be looking at roughly $500 give or take for a nice trombone.

[Super Rad!]

The music shop is actually pretty horrible. It's about the worst music shop ever.

I will check out some stuff at school. I don't mind putting down the money for a good instrument that will help encourage me to continue learning.

[thenagus]

I'm a trombone guy, and I'd echo what everyone else has said- a teacher is essential. I'm self taught on guitar admittedly, but I don't think it's really possible to teach yourself tronbome. Which is the reason, I'm guissing, that I've never seen a `teach yourself trombone` book. Tromboning (real word?) is much more about technique, and technique that can't really be described. It's essential to have someone there with you who can litsten to you and see you, tell you what you're doing wrong, etc. Also, I'd say you need a teacher to keep you motivated and practising at times.
A teacher will have the best idea about where to rent trombones and suchlike. I guess personally, I'd avoid buying one until you're experienced enough to know what feels right for you. It's more physical (IMO) than guitarring. What's right for others isn't necessarily right for you.
I'm not sure how common it is to learn later on, but I'm sure it's not unheard of. Most trombone players, in my experience (include myself) started off on trumpet. I guess it's easier to build up yeh `chops` on the trumpet. And while you're still young the trombone is physically pretty difficult to play. When I started, I couldn't reach 6th and 7th positions, and the 'bone was so big compared to me that it was pretty hard just to hold it up. In a number of ways, you might be better off starting now rather than earlier on. It's certainly not something where you need to start young to play well. Takes a fair bit of work though!

[Super Rad!]

I don't mind the work. Next week I'll have to see what the deal is with the music program at school. Hopefully there's a good teacher there.

Thanks for the advice. I was about to try and teach myself, but I'm glad to know that's not a smart route. Any more advice is really appreciated, and I'll be sure to keep you updated.

[jonathan_matos5]

ditto on everyone. books only help if you already know how to play for trombone and you cant use them to train your ear. your crappy music store should have some books and there are some good horns at pawn shops in my area for a beginner trombone no dents and slide works is good enough you wont get a good sound until you have been playing for about a year anyway. something like this will do nicely

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Band/and/Orchestra/Brass?sku=463136 (http://)

most of all have fun

[DemiFrost]

As said before, a teacher is a must.

Personally, I think it's easier to start young, since you'd already have a teacher in school and also have the experience of playing in a band with people of about equal experience level.

It's not that big of a problem, as having a private teacher will probably get you farther in a shorter period of time. I myself never had a private teacher, but most people get A LOT better in high school than in the previous years combined. There's people in my band who started in high school that are better than me, and I started in 3rd grade. So being older probably has that advantage of learning faster.

Anyway, a beginner level trombone should be around $500 or so. I had a Bach, and just bought a new one in November.

Good luck! :wave:

http://myspace-425.vo.llnwd.net/00718/52/45/718475425_l.jpg

[Super Rad!]

Thanks, that's quite shiny and nice looking. :eek:

My classes were cancelled today, so no word on what the school has to offer yet.

[thenagus]

Seeing as we're getting photo's out, my trombone is one of these:
http://66.113.240.113/images/trombone/3047af-large.jpg
:D

Although mine has quite a few dents. And at the bottom of the slide by the spit valve, the lacquer is burning off because of my acidic sweat!
And I haven't used the tuning slide for the valve in so long that it doesn't move anymore. I'll need to get some WD40 or something on it to get it moving again, haha! But what's a quality instrument for if you can't abuse it a little, eh? :p
It's a nice instrument, has a great sound. The axial flow valve is great... although it still feels different to blowing through an open horn, despite what the marketing suggests.
I got it second hand from a 'bone teacher down in the South of England. And the case, I am told, has been used by Josepg Alessi a few times. (Or some other such moderately-famous trombonist!)
Even second-hand, it cost me over £1000. Worth it though.

Incidently, a piece of advice I forgot to add before- as soon as you can, join bands and stuff. I guess it might be abit awkward in some cases, because the other players of your standard will likley be younger... but try and join anyway. Playing regurarly in a group will do wonders for anybody's playing. Sight reading especially.

[soundministries]

If you look around you can find a good trombone for much less than $500. Check with Taylor Music (http://www.1800usaband.com/) They have a few different financing and/or rental options for good instruments. These are good people to work with. I just bought a good bass clarinet for my school band (I'm a band teacher) for less than half its new retail value. You can also find good deals at pawn shops if you do your research. Example, I picked up a King 3B Silversonic with f trigger for $125 dollars at a pawn shop a few months back. Did some checking and the horn is worth $1500. Got the horn chem cleaned and a good gig bag and for less than $300 I've got a fantastic horn. I'll probably be selling it this fall for a good bass trombone.

While I believe that a teacher can be very helpful, if you have a good ear and are willing to work at it you can teach yourself to play trombone. Get a level one book, Essential Elements or Standards of Excellence then sit down with your piano or a good tuner and go for it. It will be easier with a teacher but not undoable. Low brass is my specialty so feel free to email or PM with any questions.

[Super Rad!]

Thanks very much. Ideally I'd like a teacher, but I'd like to try and learn some stuff on my own. I just want to be serious about getting good, but still keep it fun.

I've just always thought the trombone was an awesome instrument, and I can't wait to begin learning.

[Chicken Monkey]

I'm learning trombone on my own. If you have a decent ear, I think it's possible to learn on your own. It would be a lot easier if I had a background in brass, so that I would have the overtone series internalized, but even that seems to be coming. I found a video at my local library to learn posture, lip position, etc., as well as a Bb scale, then bought an instructional book to learn the other notes and positions. Since I know the notes of the scales, and recognize them when I hear them, I can get through my scales, which is as far as I've come so far.

[Super Rad!]

Well today I went and checked in the music store I mentioned above. It turns out the building has another section (away from all the angry teenagers that work there ;) ) that's just a lot of sheet music and practicing areas.

I met a a guy who seems to be a really good teacher there, and I can set up some lessons with him. They also set me up with a rental trombone for $20 a month (seems reasonable). I also got a few books. So now I've got this trombone that is very pretty, but I have no idea what to do. I can't wait to get some lessons. I'm really exctited.:)

[DemiFrost]

Yay.

$20 is pretty good if it's new. I used the rental program for students at my local store and it was $27 or $30 a month I think. They let me keep after I paid its value in rental fees.

I let a friend who's a beginner borrow it, but I'm also gonna use it for marching band instead of my good one.

[Super Rad!]

Well, it's used, but seems to be in good shape (it's not all tarnished and the slides aren't sticky). It's a Bach, and from what I've heard, they're pretty good. And yeah, the rental fee does count towards a purchase.

It's just always a bit overwhelming to start from the absolute beginning at something. I feel better now that I've at least taken a first step.

[DemiFrost]

Yeah, I was pretty pumped when I brought the ol' Bach home for the first time. Waiting a few weeks while admiring it in its case sucked though.

The first lesson will be awesome, I guarantee it.

I know it's pretty obvious, but practice regularly. It is absolutely vital to any sort of progress. Throughout middle school, I practiced at home probably less than ten times, and in school, spent a max of 2-3 hours a week with it. The time spent with your instrument is relative to your skill and experience, which is why high school makes you a lot better, with rehearsals being daily at an hour, jazz band once a week at two hours, and wind ensemble once a week at two hours.

Since you probably don't have to lug your trombone around everywhere, it'll be easier for you to practice. I, just like many other kids, was too lazy to bring that large case on the bus home.

[777Brad]

Excellent! I think you'll like 'bone. It's a very versatile instrument and can play in a huge number of settings; from orchestral, to jazz, to horn sections in pop/rock/funk/reggae.

The only other horn that is that versatile is trumpet (my personal favorite). Sax is almost as good, but it was invented too late & is not traditional in orchestral and other "legit" settings. Oboes, Bassoons, French Horns, clarinets & the like rarely set foot outside of orchestras or concert bands.

Anyway, good luck. You've picked a great instrument. (although I would have picked trumpet. Wait! I did! :) )

Brad

[Super Rad!]

Thanks guys!

I'm also excited because I'm just assuming that learning proper theory and whatnot for Trombone will help me with other instruments as well.

[777Brad]

Yes, yes & yes!

I played trumpet for over 30 years before ever touching guitar, piano or drums. People have been amazed that I picked all of them up so fast.

There's no doubt that the musicianship that I picked up on trumpet aided in that steep learning curve on the other instruments.

Brad