Practicing on three different trombones

[NotATrumpet]

I have 0.500", 0.525" and 547" trombones and use them in different bands and ensembles. What's the most effecetive practice regime? Should I only practice on the large bore and let the smaller bores look after themselves or try and practice on all three for their ownsake. I'm using Denis Wick 5ABL, 5BL and a 7CS on the smaller bore. I play large bore in orchestra, medium in ensemble and small in big band so I'm practicing three styles of music. How do you more experienced trombonists do it?

[dukesboneman]

For myself , If I have to double or sometimes triple ,I try to practice both or all 3 in the same practice session.
For example my practice session might be 1 1/2 hours.
1/2 hour on Tuba, 1/2 on Bass trombone & Half on tenor
Sometimes switching closer together if the double is in the same gig. This gets my face used to going back and forth.
Now you use the same mouthpiece on large & medium bores but the "Feel" and response is different so some time on the other horns I would think wouldn`t hurt
Just my 2 cents

[NotATrumpet]

For myself , If I have to double or sometimes triple ,I try to practice both or all 3 in the same practice session.
For example my practice session might be 1 1/2 hours.
1/2 hour on Tuba, 1/2 on Bass trombone & Half on tenor
Sometimes switching closer together if the double is in the same gig. This gets my face used to going back and forth.
Now you use the same mouthpiece on large & medium bores but the "Feel" and response is different so some time on the other horns I would think wouldn`t hurt
Just my 2 cents

Thanks. That's what I have been doing. I wondered if there might be something else.

[tbdana]

I practice .509, .547, and .562 bore horns. I usually won't practice all of them every day. I mix it up.

My default is to practice one horn a day 2-4 days a week. Sometimes I practice a different horn each day, sometimes the same horn, depending on what my needs of that week are. Like, if I'm playing my peashooter in big bands all week I'll practice the other horns. Or if I have a tough concert coming up, I'll practice that horn several days that week. But for me it's ultimately more productive to spend entire practice days getting deep into one horn than to get in only surface practice on all three.

But just as importantly, the other 3 or so days that week I'll practice all three horns each day. And whenever I practice all three, I always go from smallest to largest bore. Sometimes all in a single session; sometimes different short sessions for each horn.

That works for me. Your mileage may vary.

Oh, and sometimes I just say screw it and practice whatever horn seems most fun. It's important to have fun or what the heck are we even doing?

Here's the kicker for me. You say you practice three different styles of music. I spend less time on styles and make sure to practice the same kinds of technical studies on all my horns. And I'll work on opposites. Like, I'll work my upper range on the bass trombone and my low range on the peashooter. Or play jazz on the symphony horn and a concerto on my jazz horn. That benefits me in many ways.

There is no substitute for flight time. Whichever horn you spend your time on, that's the one you're going to improve. So you have to decide what your goal is. Me, I want to be able to play the entire instrument on every horn I have, so I practice toward that goal. But if your emphasis is symphony playing and you only occasionally play in big bands, maybe you want to spend more time on the .547 so you're best at what you do most.

[NotATrumpet]

I practice .509, .547, and .562 bore horns. I usually won't practice all of them every day. I mix it up.

My default is to practice one horn a day 2-4 days a week. Sometimes I practice a different horn each day, sometimes the same horn, depending on what my needs of that week are. Like, if I'm playing my peashooter in big bands all week I'll practice the other horns. Or if I have a tough concert coming up, I'll practice that horn several days that week. But for me it's ultimately more productive to spend entire practice days getting deep into one horn than to get in only surface practice on all three.

But just as importantly, the other 3 or so days that week I'll practice all three horns each day. And whenever I practice all three, I always go from smallest to largest bore. Sometimes all in a single session; sometimes different short sessions for each horn.

That works for me. Your mileage may vary.

Oh, and sometimes I just say screw it and practice whatever horn seems most fun. It's important to have fun or what the heck are we even doing?

Here's the kicker for me. You say you practice three different styles of music. I spend less time on styles and make sure to practice the same kinds of technical studies on all my horns. And I'll work on opposites. Like, I'll work my upper range on the bass trombone and my low range on the peashooter. Or play jazz on the symphony horn and a concerto on my jazz horn. That benefits me in many ways.

There is no substitute for flight time. Whichever horn you spend your time on, that's the one you're going to improve. So you have to decide what your goal is. Me, I want to be able to play the entire instrument on every horn I have, so I practice toward that goal. But if your emphasis is symphony playing and you only occasionally play in big bands, maybe you want to spend more time on the .547 so you're best at what you do most.

This is brilliant advice. Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

[Pezza]

I play small, medium, bass & euphonium.
I mix it up, tho tend to miss the medium!
In the week before a gig I tend to practise the horn I'll be playing at the gig.

[BrassSection]

Trumpet is my usual practice horn. If it’s good, tenor trombone, euph, and French horn are good to go. That’s my normal routine. Ensembles or community band I will actually practice on horn I am using, especially tuba. It only comes out every couple of years, reading the low notes takes a time or two thru to have lowlife heavy metal recall. Normal playing usually play up to 3 horns, no set order, song selection dictates which horns I play in what order.

Tee shirt says Good Euphonium Players Stay Out Of Treble. Taking part in a trumpet trio soon. Enough said.

[LetItSlide]

Moving across bore sizes is instructive in controlling air flow. I've gotten most comfortable with .508/.509 bore. Last night I started off with .547 and .562 for a short time, just surrendering to the needed air demand adjustment and enjoying some trigger work. After that I was happy to go back to the smaller horn I enjoy playing most.

[Finetales]

Sometimes I play a bunch of horns in one day, other times I only play one. Depends on what's coming up mostly.

Practicing switching between horns is the best way to get comfortable with it. For example, playing one Arban exercise or Bordogni 3 times in a row, each on a different horn.

[Burgerbob]

Sometimes I play a bunch of horns in one day, other times I only play one. Depends on what's coming up mostly.

Practicing switching between horns is the best way to get comfortable with it. For example, playing one Arban exercise or Bordogni 3 times in a row, each on a different horn.

[NotATrumpet]

Sometimes I play a bunch of horns in one day, other times I only play one. Depends on what's coming up mostly.

Practicing switching between horns is the best way to get comfortable with it. For example, playing one Arban exercise or Bordogni 3 times in a row, each on a different horn.

Thanks. I'll try that.