Best grips for small hands?

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ChadA
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Best grips for small hands?

Post by ChadA »

Hello all,
My daughter recently started playing trombone. She's using an old Holton student model that's been in the family a while. Her hands are very small and it's hard for her to hold it. What kind of things can we put on that horn that will help? Wise grip? Neotech? Etc...

My issue has always been fitting my big gorilla mitts on a horn. Her size clearly comes from my wife's side of the family. :)
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sacfxdx
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by sacfxdx »

I use this. You can support the whole trombone on the back of your hand. If she cannot hold up the weight like that then maybe a ergo bone would be best until she gets a little older.

https://www.neotechstraps.com/trombone-grip.html
Steve
Kdanielsen
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Kdanielsen »

ChadA wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 11:08 am Hello all,
My daughter recently started playing trombone. She's using an old Holton student model that's been in the family a while. Her hands are very small and it's hard for her to hold it. What kind of things can we put on that horn that will help? Wise grip? Neotech? Etc...

My issue has always been fitting my big gorilla mitts on a horn. Her size clearly comes from my wife's side of the family. :)
A lot of little kids find putting the left thumb UNDER the neckpipe helps. It’s fine for kids. They can hold the horn correctly when they get a bit older.
Kris Danielsen D.M.A.

Westfield State University and Keene State College
Lecturer of Low Brass

Principal Trombone, New England Repertory Orchestra
2nd Trombone, Glens Falls Symphony
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Doug Elliott »

"Correctly" LOL
I have to hold some horns that way
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
Kdanielsen
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Kdanielsen »

Doug Elliott wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:17 pm "Correctly" LOL
I have to hold some horns that way
I hold my bass that way if my left hand gets tired sometimes. I guess “traditionally” or something would have been a better word.
Kris Danielsen D.M.A.

Westfield State University and Keene State College
Lecturer of Low Brass

Principal Trombone, New England Repertory Orchestra
2nd Trombone, Glens Falls Symphony
Posaunus
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Posaunus »

When I started playing as a youngster with my small hands, the finger ring on my Olds Ambassador A-20 w/ F Attachment was a godsend!
OneTon
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by OneTon »

I usually hold straight horns with the left thumb in the gooseneck, more or less pointed at my left ear. This allows the oppositional thumb to leverage efficiently against the fingers wrapped around the gooseneck.

Try grabbing someone’s forefinger with your thumb and fingers wrapped around their forefinger. If they pull their forefinger away, you most probably won’t be able to retain your grip on their forefinger. Now try grabbing the same forefinger with your fingers wrapped around their forefinger and your thumb laying on top of their forefinger, pointing up their arm. As your volunteer tries to take his forefinger back, you should be able to retain the forefinger.
Last edited by OneTon on Wed Jun 01, 2022 2:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Smith
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PaKETaZ
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by PaKETaZ »

Chad: is it a straight trombone or an F attachement one?
—Julien—
Courtois Xtreme AC430TL - XO 1634LT
ChadA
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by ChadA »

PaKETaZ wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 2:49 pm Chad: is it a straight trombone or an F attachement one?
Straight.
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Burgerbob
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Burgerbob »

Neotech is my vote.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
Mamaposaune
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Mamaposaune »

Make sure she is holding it correctly - I see a lot of beginners try to hold it with just their fingers, their palm is in mid-air and their elbow is pressed against their body, so their wrist is bent at a 90-degree angle. Even the ones with small hands seem to do OK once they get the lower cork barrel resting on their palm.
Also, if the Holton is nose-heavy, of course that puts a lot of stress on the hand.
Bach5G
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Re: Best grips for small hands?

Post by Bach5G »

Straps are inexpensive but can be helpful. Leather Specialties/Hickey offer different sizes.

A Get A Grip or Jonathan Pippen’s grip may work.
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