TromboneChat

Not sure of any other way to describe it, but note that lead trumpet and trombone players often have this quality in their sound, maybe simply very rich in the higher overtones:

Here are some examples:






So what's going on here?

Is it an equipment-dependent sound, a matter of airstream speed, embouchure type, or some very rare and happy combination of the same?

I note that when I hear this "juicy" quality in the lower register, good things always seem to come in the high register.

I'm convinced most players don't think past hitting the right notes at the right time and at close to the right volume to not stand out from the crowd in a section or to just be heard as a soloist.

The sound on the examples is not hard to get if that is what you hear and if you are willing to make recordings of your own playing to check on what sound is being made.

For whatever reason, most players seem to have the sound they make and that is how they play every note in every style- just louder or softer versions of that same quality of sound and maybe slight variations in attack intensity.

As far as equipment goes- it is easier to sustainably do different things on different equipment, but mostly the sound is affected by how one uses air, how one uses the tension in the lips and how one uses all the stuff from behind the teeth to your gut.

My theory is that the sound in these two recordings is not a merely a coincidence or an artistic choice among many, but rather an indicator and necessary tonal quality of a great high-range player.

If true, interested in understanding why this is the case.

That's called "getting good". "Finding your voice", maybe.

You listen to others, listen to yourself, imagine what you want the sound to be like, and practice to make that sound.

Equipment wise, you pick stuff that doesn't force you into "dullsville". Most modern equipment is dull. They were playing small equipment with quirks.

Playing well and playing equipment that suits that playing. And being recorded well too!

Silky is the word I would use. Urbie sounded like buttermilk going down a carpeted staircase.

harrisonreed wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 10:12 am That's called "getting good". "Finding your voice", maybe.

You listen to others, listen to yourself, imagine what you want the sound to be like, and practice to make that sound.

Equipment wise, you pick stuff that doesn't force you into "dullsville". Most modern equipment is dull. They were playing small equipment with quirks.

Yeah, that's some great high range sound. It comes with smaller equipment with the right amount of air through it along with of course knowing where the notes are on your instrument and a crazy amount of practice for things like intervals and flexibility. Tons of embouchure control. Bach 6 or Conn 24h. And a good bit of sound engineering, I'd be willing to bet.

I think too many players, even "good" ones nowadays, only care about playing the "right" notes. That's like 5 percent of the equation -- music demands that the notes be right 100% of the time so that mindset is like base level. You played all the right notes, cool story -- you're only 5% good.

You gotta play the right notes *right*.

officermayo wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 10:18 am Silky is the word I would use. Urbie sounded like buttermilk going down a carpeted staircase.

I always use the word "buttery"

That's interesting you use the phrase "buttermilk going down carpeted staircase." If you don't have buttermilk for a recipe you can recreate it by adding vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk. So using the word "buttermilk" makes it sound bitter and acidic to me. But obviously buttermilk added to pancakes makes them WAY better. So I see what you're saying.

But none of this matters to the post

Juicy sound is a new to me but a very good word for sound! I think most of us play the trombone because of it's sound? I can only tell my own experience. In the eighties they started with music in supermarkets. Short story they played Nelson Riddle "The Joy Of Living". And I was hooked. Totally lost in the sound of George Roberts.

To make a good sound is like many tell to have a goal whatever who or what sound you like. And be patient. It's a lot about techniques. Also about musical understanding.

Leif