attn. bangrekuhz: WHY ALL THESE B.A.Tr.'s ??

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Interesting,
I know a HS band director who was convinced to buy CC (1291's?) Mirafones for his concert band. I can only imagine how these kids who can hardly remember 1 set of fingerings do with 2 sets.
Lately I think I could play the rest of my career with a good sousaphone and an old 2341, I guess somebody needs to buy the CC's though.
Peace.
ASG

[SplatterTone]

I say It's all about image and spending somebody else's money. No pragmatism. Be it school or be it church, if it's somebody else's money, some people can't resist the urge to be high society.

[pierso20]

By large bore do you mean student vs. professional bore sizes? Or Are we talking large bore sizes relative to professional models?


Anyway, from what I've seen the main difference I notice in the trombones used by young players is student vs. prof. models. This is the larger bore you're talking about. I believe that as a player advances, it is a MUST to upgrade to a larger bore or prof. model. HOWEVER, this isn't for all players. many players, on any instrument are recreational. If they enjoy what they play and thats fine, the great for them. So i guess I tend to think that there should be no push for these larger bore horns. Now, it is the directors and lesson teachers (if there is one) job to guide the student to getting a different horn if that is necessary.

So....What I find intriguing is, are these students marching with the large bore F attachment horns because this was the horn they bought is 6th grade? Do they not have their "old horn"? Or does the band director require that they use their niceset horn on the field. These I think are the questions.

Wow...I hope even some of what I wrote makes sense....

[pierso20]

The young trombonists (with wrecked instruments and bell-front baritone-like sonority) virtually all "claim" that their band directors strongly encourage them to use their expensive/large bore/delicate/F-attachment trombones in marching band...

..

I'm talking about .547" bore trombones with F-attachments and an 8-1/2" diameter bell flare. There are hardly any trombones like this that are billed by manufacturers as "student" or "intermediate" grade.

wow....That's interesting because around where I live I've never seen or heard of bands having trombone players using large bore horns on the marching field. I would think as well that many band directors would be educated enough to know that large bore f- attachment horns are not MB appropriate......but, that may be a false assumption.

See.....tuba was simple. The little upright horn was for "sit down" band and the one that you wore like a belt was for marching.

[MikeMason]

Speaking as a horn salesman who thinks everyone should have the most expensive horn they can afford ,some band directors prefer the sound they get from their bone sections with large bore f attachments.They have certain resources and make the decisions on how it is used.80-90% of my schools' budgets come from the fundraising efforts of their kids and parents(yes,the money is raised tax free,so I suppose we are subsidizing them at least in that way).Most trombone purchases are the individual kid's/parent's decision and funding.None of my band directors have ever received a kickback from me or my company in at least the 16yrs I've been here.It's certainly ok to disagree with this practice,but I believe,at least the ones I know,are suggesting these larger horns because they prefer that sound.The same argument could be made about equipment in symphony orchestras.As far as disastrous repairs,yeah,I've seen 4 or 5 in my 16yrs.The worst offender is a Benge 290 bass bone.The knuckle really just can't handle the abuse.

[MikeMason]

Customers only want "so much" advice.Their comes a time when you have to step aside and just ring up the sale.Or just do something else.Football/marching band is a religion in my neck of the woods.The lion share of resources is spent there.I believe if it weren't for football's popularity,we wouldn't have music education in the south.Maybe a volunteer glee club around Christmas,but that'd be about it.My observations...

[MartyNeilan]

I'm talking about .547" bore trombones with F-attachments and an 8-1/2" diameter bell flare. There are hardly any trombones like this that are billed by manufacturers as "student" or "intermediate" grade.

Those pea shooters?
Click over to the trombone forum some time and look at the number of kids marching dual bore, dual Thayer bass trombones

Marty "who recalls seeing one H.S. band proudly march a section of 8 bass clarinets. They sounded like, well... I couldn't really hear them sound much at all

[pierso20]

I'm talking about .547" bore trombones with F-attachments and an 8-1/2" diameter bell flare. There are hardly any trombones like this that are billed by manufacturers as "student" or "intermediate" grade.

Those pea shooters?
Click over to the trombone forum some time and look at the number of kids marching dual bore, dual Thayer bass trombones

Marty "who recalls seeing one H.S. band proudly march a section of 8 bass clarinets. They sounded like, well... I couldn't really hear them sound much at all

Which also begs the question....just because you can, should you??????

[tubatooter1940]

You won't get much argument from the student player, either, who would likely prefer a larger, flasher instrument.

[The Jackson]

Which also begs the question....just because you can, should you??????

Also add in the factor of the codependent parent. Director says to get a "Professional" horn while the dude over at the music store says they need and it would be most beneficial to get an "intermediate" model.

Mother #58940, whose happiness only occurs when your child's does, makes the "good" choice in her mind.

[eupher61]

If those BDs are really telling kids to get those horns for marching, there's more problems than the kids not taking good care of those horns.

Those BDs should be showered, IMO, with many bottles of slide oil. Not Trombotine and water. Slide oil.

[The Jackson]

My director is a trombone player himself, and I don't think he's told any of the trombone students at school what kind of trombone to purchase. The players that own their own horns do play "professional models" during class, but those same guys also have another, smaller horn used for marching and jazz.