Search found 481 matches
- Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:51 am
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Slotting?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 1591
Re: Slotting?
Remember that these are all subjective discussions. We don't have a slot measurement device that can tell us how our chops feel. Some feel wider and deeper to the others, but this is all a matter of degree. [...] Also, NONE of the discussion of what the slot feels like in terms of Depth and Width h...
- Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:04 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Voight J188FX
- Replies: 12
- Views: 797
- Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:42 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Slotting?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 1591
Re: Slotting?
There's definitely a player element to it, but each horn slots differently no matter the player. I guess a very simple explanation is "how easily a trombone can slur from one partial to another," though that's leaving out a lot. I would to that: How well a player can find the center of the pitch wi...
- Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:02 pm
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: What do you do on days where things aren't working out.
- Replies: 11
- Views: 690
Re: What do you do on days where things aren't working out.
What people have said above. In addition, sometimes we need to focus on playing and producing something regardless of how it feels or how we think it sounds. On those days, just playing—the discipline of a routine—helps me achieve something when things aren’t working well or when I think they don’t ...
- Sat Feb 20, 2021 10:50 am
- Forum: Media
- Topic: Higgins Album
- Replies: 3
- Views: 318
Re: Higgins Album
Beautiful.
- Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:41 pm
- Forum: Modification & Repair
- Topic: Effect of mass addition on tone - Experiment Design
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1025
Re: Effect of mass addition on tone - Experiment Design
Years ago, I had a Bach 50B3. I experimented with some bronze bushings under the valve caps. One under the F cap, one under the Gb cap, one under each cap. It made the horn slot better, and it projected almost too well. OTOH, at times it felt like I was blowing against a brick wall. Everything makes...
- Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:53 am
- Forum: (Classifieds) Everything Else
- Topic: WTB: Trombone Techniques by Denis Wick
- Replies: 5
- Views: 380
Re: WTB: Trombone Techniques by Denis Wick
It’s out of print. You might try looking on Amazon, or perhaps a used bookstore like Powell’s. Perhaps someone here—or elsewhere on the interweb—has a pdf copy.
- Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:00 am
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: What will trombones look like in 100 years.
- Replies: 40
- Views: 2495
- Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:02 pm
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: Sackbut - how should it be played?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1351
Re: Sackbut - how should it be played?
Count me in.
- Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:55 am
- Forum: Maintenance
- Topic: Minimizing noise from rotary valve linkage
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3131
Re: Minimizing noise from rotary valve linkage
Replace it with a string linkage. Quieter, adjustable, more reliable. I will have my tech Graham Middleton do this to my 50B soon. He’s also going to replace the Kanstul CR valves with Instrument Innovations rotary valves. I’m looking forward to quiet, smooth, dependable action with a short throw. ...
- Mon Feb 08, 2021 9:51 am
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: What will trombones look like in 100 years.
- Replies: 40
- Views: 2495
Re: What will trombones look like in 100 years.
The basic design of the trombone hasn’t changed much in the last 400 years or so. But the devil’s in the details, and we all know that the finer points of trombone manufacture have changed drastically during that time. Who knows what will change? I’ll rely on Bruce’s crystal ball, as mine is permane...
- Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:59 am
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: Long vs short warmup
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1345
Re: Long vs short warmup
My two cents: I like to differentiate between a warm-up and a routine. When I’m in shape and practicing every day, it looks something like this: In a warm-up, I get the body (air and embouchure) and the brain/ears “warmed up” and ready to play music. My focus during this warm-up is on producing a go...
- Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:01 pm
- Forum: Mouthpieces
- Topic: Voting with your wallet- Giddings Mouthpieces
- Replies: 107
- Views: 5382
Re: Voting with your wallet- Giddings Mouthpieces
Boycotts can be part of an effective mechanism to bring about change. Witness the international community’s boycott of South Africa. It took years to catch on, but once the international community stuck to the policy, it helped end apartheid. ALL politics are personal and inherently involve ethical ...
- Thu Jan 28, 2021 10:11 am
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: How to make valve registar speak?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1548
Re: How to make valve registar speak?
Without watching you play the trombone, it will be difficult to see what you’re doing right and what you’re not doing right. There are several people who teach via Skype here on TF; Doug Elliott is one of them. A lot of people (myself included) have benefitted from just one or two lessons with Doug.
- Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:51 am
- Forum: Maintenance
- Topic: Coffee and The Trombone
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2896
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:27 pm
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: Teaching the Gb valve
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1095
Re: Teaching the Gb valve
Caveat: I am not teaching, and I am not living from my music, so, take MHO with a grain of salt. I am using the Gb side as often, if not more often than the F side. Choosing from 2 to 4 different possibilities for the same time was a major headache a couple of years ago, but comes quite naturally n...
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:04 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Different materials in components and how it affects sound and plability.
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1220
Re: Different materials in components and how it affects sound and plability.
Several manufacturers have written descriptions of how different metals sound/respond. For example: M&W: https://customtrombones.com/customization-options Shires: https://www.seshires.com/trombonebells Rath: https://www.rathtrombones.com/#p=bass-trombones MK Drawing and Bending: https://www.mkdrawin...
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:00 am
- Forum: Mouthpieces
- Topic: Rethinking Throats and Backbores
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1817
Re: Rethinking Throats and Backbores
Speaking just from my own experience, I find large throats more tiring to play because I have to work so much harder to keep the pitch from going flat in the upper register. I’m pretty sure I remember Doug Elliott saying that everything on a mouthpiece affects everything else on the mouthpiece. I d...
- Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:40 pm
- Forum: Maintenance
- Topic: Coffee and The Trombone
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2896
Re: Coffee and The Trombone
Not trying to be a contrarian, but I believe both are necessary. 

- Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:37 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Lead pipe threads
- Replies: 13
- Views: 949
Re: Lead pipe threads
Instrument Innovations makes a bi-threaded collar that can accommodate Shires, Edwards, Conn and several other threads.
- Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:12 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Anyone know of a trombone with longer tuningslide for the trigger?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 1869
Re: Anyone know of a trombone with longer tuningslide for the trigger?
Some of the old Kanstul horns had wraps like that—models 1570 and 1588. They were built similarly to the model George Roberts model bass 1670, which has the long E pull.
- Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:25 pm
- Forum: (Classifieds) Mouthpieces
- Topic: WTB: DE XB parts
- Replies: 1
- Views: 559
Re: WTB: DE XB parts
Bump.
- Thu Jan 14, 2021 10:19 am
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: Embochure fatigue
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2540
Re: Embochure fatigue
Progress in any endeavour—art, athletics, mental health, economic, matters of faith, etc.—is never linear. Expect setbacks as you develop, and expect periods of development following each setback.
- Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:39 pm
- Forum: Mouthpieces
- Topic: Canadian Brass Mouthpieces
- Replies: 7
- Views: 993
Re: Canadian Brass Mouthpieces
- Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:02 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: sections that play one brand
- Replies: 171
- Views: 11732
Re: sections that play one brand
It is considered a "double". The 2nd trombonist in my orchestra was paid doubling when he played bass trombone in my place. That was the only "double" in my section though. I didn't get it for playing contra, or tenor, and the 1st didn't get it for alto. Musically, this is absurd. Contra and alto a...
- Sun Jan 10, 2021 11:17 am
- Forum: Tangents
- Topic: Wagnerism - Alex Ross
- Replies: 4
- Views: 755
Re: Wagnerism - Alex Ross
I’ll put it on my birthday list.
- Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:30 pm
- Forum: Tangents
- Topic: Chapsticks/Lip stuffs - Discussion & recommendations
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1130
Re: Chapsticks/Lip stuffs - Discussion & recommendations
I use Nivea products for sensitive skin—shaving cream, after shave and lip moisturizer. I like their lip moisturizer better than chapstick and Lip Saver. It’s not as tacky feeling, and it protects well. Wipes off easily. Drink lots of water. After a heavy session, especially when I feel tired and sw...
- Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:27 am
- Forum: (Classifieds) Cases
- Topic: FS: Cronkhite Double Gig Bag $sold
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1256
- Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:20 am
- Forum: Mouthpieces
- Topic: POLL - Which Mouthpiece Brand do you primarily use?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4449
Re: POLL - Which Mouthpiece Brand do you primarily use?
I assume you’re asking about current use, not which brand or brands I’ve used in the past?
- Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:21 pm
- Forum: Teaching & Learning
- Topic: Hitting the wall
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2944
Re: Hitting the wall
“...you need to be more specific in your situation.” What do you mean by “hitting the wall”? Are there particular areas of technique that you feel are not improving? Identify them and, FOSSIL stated, persist. Perhaps your cognitive approach—your thoughts and beliefs about your technique and how well...
- Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:09 pm
- Forum: Tangents
- Topic: Headaches?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2750
Re: Headaches?
I doubt there are any doctors here on TC who would be able to diagnose and recommend an appropriate treatment for your condition. Hint...
- Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:50 pm
- Forum: Accessories
- Topic: Do practice mutes get a bad rep?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2000
Re: Do practice mutes get a bad rep?
Yes, they do get a bad rep. I second what Fridge, tbonesullivan and imsevimse say. My experience, FWIW: When my son was a newborn (20 years ago), I was working a day job and I had a lot of gigs. Weekday evenings were the most reliable practice time I had. I found, through trial and error (and after ...
- Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:26 am
- Forum: Mouthpieces
- Topic: Slight variations on inner rim & the effects of playing
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3488
Re: Slight variations on inner rim & the effects of playing
Some really insightful stuff posted here. I would add that in many respects, rim shape is more important than rim size. The rim shape has a huge impact on how the muscles behave when we play. Didn't Bach say that the mouthpiece that was most comfortable might not be best ? Chris Agreed. And Denis W...
- Sun Jan 03, 2021 4:53 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: sections that play one brand
- Replies: 171
- Views: 11732
Re: sections that play one brand
I find calling any 50b vintage is silly. Corp era isn't really that different from current time. An unusual point, and I don’t agree. The word “vintage” has become conflated with the word “old,” when the more generally understood use of the word “vintage” means a year, era, or even place of product...
- Fri Jan 01, 2021 6:06 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: Trombones wear out in 10 years (says Paris Opera)
- Replies: 69
- Views: 5222
Re: Trombones wear out in 10 years (says Paris Opera)
Bachs wear out...simple. A lot of other stuff lasts better. Early Bachs last much better. 80's onward Bachs were built to wear out...I got that from a company rep. Chris Now that’s interesting. I wonder what he meant? Was it design, materials, construction? Planned obsolescence is a choice, althoug...
- Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:54 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: sections that play one brand
- Replies: 171
- Views: 11732
Re: sections that play one brand
Re: Crisafulli and Kleinhammer. This is third-hand, and highly edited. Crisafulli was, for a time, the principal in Chicago. He was having some difficulty, and requested assistance from Kleinhammer who declined, remarking that Crisafulli, as the principal in the CSO, was in a position to address the...
- Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:29 pm
- Forum: Accessories
- Topic: Trombone Practice Mutes
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2210
Re: Trombone Practice Mutes
I have not heard of the UpMute. I’ve used Wick, Best Brass, Yamaha Silent (gen. 1), and another one (can’t remember). I just bought a pair of Rejano mutes, one bass and one tenor, and I’m very pleased with them. Yes, they have problems at the extremes of range and dynamics. But they are better than ...
- Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:39 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: sections that play one brand
- Replies: 171
- Views: 11732
- Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:36 pm
- Forum: Modification & Repair
- Topic: Willson CAIDEX valve
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2408
Re: Willson CAIDEX valve
This looks like a similar idea to the Kanstul CR (controlled resistance) valve, although a very different design. I wonder how it responds...
- Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:05 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: sections that play one brand
- Replies: 171
- Views: 11732
Re: sections that play one brand
I mean, everybody was so conscientious that they played their own part and they had their own standards. And there was a standard there that just never went below a certain level. There was a certain kind of stability, a crazy stability there. Yeah, even though they didn’t get along, they had such ...
- Mon Dec 28, 2020 11:27 am
- Forum: Technology
- Topic: Notation for ipad
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1827
Re: Notation for ipad
Yes, the Help documentation is poor. A lot of things you have to figure out through trial and error. Still, you can do a lot with this inexpensive app. Yes, after trying some other apps and seeing videos on youtube I found the Notion to suit me best. And it recognize handwriting well. Today I tried...
- Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:51 am
- Forum: Musicians
- Topic: We've just lost one of our own.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2137
Re: We've just lost one of our own.
I had the privilege of playing alongside Gary once when he came to the Humboldt Brass Chamber Music Workshop. Wonderful player, really nice guy. What a shame. For those who don’t know, the BCMW is a unique venue to play brass chamber music all day long in a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere. It’s...
- Sat Dec 26, 2020 12:09 pm
- Forum: Media
- Topic: I've Completely Lost My Sense of Time!
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1413
- Fri Dec 25, 2020 11:09 am
- Forum: Technology
- Topic: Notation for ipad
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1827
Re: Notation for ipad
Yes, the Help documentation is poor. A lot of things you have to figure out through trial and error. Still, you can do a lot with this inexpensive app.
- Thu Dec 24, 2020 5:51 pm
- Forum: Media
- Topic: My 15-second Christmas greeting: The One Day of Christmas! Enjoy.
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1555
- Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:00 am
- Forum: Technology
- Topic: Notation for ipad
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1827
Re: Notation for ipad
I’ve been using Notion for my iPad for almost one year now. I really like it. It’s graphic based, and I find it easy to use.
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 11:28 am
- Forum: (Classifieds) Mouthpieces
- Topic: WTB: DE G9 shank
- Replies: 0
- Views: 756
WTB: DE G9 shank
WTB: Doug Elliott G9 shank. Good condition only, please--no dents, repairs or out-of round shanks, please.
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 11:26 am
- Forum: (Classifieds) Mouthpieces
- Topic: WTB: DE XB mpc or parts
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1035
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:09 pm
- Forum: Instruments
- Topic: My new Favorite trombone!
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3225
Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Interesting choice of mechanical linkage on the valve. Why not go for string linkage like the old Conns?
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 11:48 am
- Forum: Media
- Topic: Frosty The Snowman Bass Trombone tour de force
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3658
Re: Frosty The Snowman Bass Trombone tour de force
Beautiful playing, and wonderful, tasteful facility!