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Noticing that a trombone topic has popped up on this forum I'll venture this question:
Is a valve trombone a legitimate horn for a community concert band? I'm on tuba/euphonium, but occasionally the MD is desperate for another trombone at short notice. I'm on the wrong side of 60, and not that interested in learning slide trombone, but a valve trom would be an easy transition if & when needed. I would still spend almost all of my playing time on euph or tuba. Are valve trombones taken seriously by our slide brethren, or are they seen as a bit of a joke. Anyone had any experience with a Weril or Jupiter slide trombone?

A valve trombone would be welcome in my community band. Heck... sit in the euphonium section or trombone section... take your pick.

As to the opinion of other trombone players: My guess is that, since your main instrument is something else, and you are just being a great guy to fill a need, it is understandable that you are sticking with valves. Looking at the prices of valve trombones on WWBW, there are some pricey enough to make one think somebody must have some respect for them. If you sound good in a community band, why would they care what you are playing?

My only experience with valve trombones is the old Amati I have: Bore is on the small side, and sound is correspondingly wimpy. Although not quite the same animal, there are those marching baritones.

These are high quality, moderately-priced, and come in C or in Bb.

http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/band-orche ... _3552.html" target="_blank

Ace

My Olds marching trombone can get a pretty decent larger slide trombone sound and is much more comfortable than a regular valve trombone.

My impression has been that most trombone players have nothing but disdain for the valve trombone. It would be less of a problem, I think, if its name didn't have "trombone" in it - and it shouldn't, because it isn't a trombone. I suppose it's a kind of trumpet, but whatever, it's a cool horn if you don't need to worry about what the trombone players think.

If you get one, you're guaranteed to end up with a relatively small bore instrument that's better suited to high parts, compared to the 547 bore trombones that are popular these days.

Honestly:

I don’t like valve trombones and don’t remember ever having performed a concert on one in Bb.

Realistically:

The bulk of the Italian opera repertory was written for orchestras employing valve trombonists.

They have come in handy in school and community ensembles.

I own 3 my self. Four if the narrow bore cylindrical Eb helicon counts for what it really is.

The two first ones were bought cheaply to hand out for community band members in situations like the one of the OP. One of these was given to a close friend, whose wife forbade him buying a brass instrument. A B&S-made one with 3 rotors had belonged to a deceased colleague. And it was the closest I came to my two first instruments: valved alto trombones in Eb as used in the old Danish military bands. One came in a combined deal, also 3 rotors. The Eb helicon was bought for its sheer oddity.

And then there was the King valve section bought with a 3B for a school and used in transition situations. A bit on the small bore side for me, but very useable. It is possible to place ones left hand in a way allowing for manipulation of the 1st slide, which is fine for working around the weakest point of this instrument type: intonation.

One trombone musicologist had wondered about some strange B natural trombone arpeggios in one of Dvorak’s pieces. He got access to some orchestra storages in Czechia and found equivalents of present day short body piston trombones. And B natural is one of the very worst scales on valve trombones. Only these old samples had 3rd slide triggers to be pushed by the left thumb.

Klaus

Hi I made my own Valve Trombone . Its a Renyolds Bell and with a ( F) and King 3 valve baritone valve body .. I Played Yesterday for the Rajah Shrine String Band.( The Parade was in Glenside Pa.WHAT A GREAT!! PARADE PEOPLE WERE DANCING IN THE STREET)
People were coming up to float asking "What kind of Horn Is That" Now my brothers want me to sign over 10% to the Shrine on any horn I sell!!
I do enjoy Helping The Shriners Hospitals for Children.. Playing Music and helping Kids Thats a good Day.
You can see the Horn here http://harvshappyhorns.blogspot.com/201 ... mbone.html" target="_blank

Using a slide or valves, if you blend in with the section you will be accepted. In addition to the normal valve combination intonation challenges, valve trombones tend to have small bores, so if they stick you on 3rd or bass trombone be careful.

You could use a marching baritone or a bass trumpet and get the same sound in a more compact size, but then again, I dont see what's wrong with just playing a trombone part on a euph! I mean, their sounds aren't exactly the same, but, for a community band, I just don't see the need to invest in a new instrument when you don't really have to. Just my opinion though...

You are describing exactly the situation a for which the double-belled euphonium was created.

SousaWarrior9 wrote:You could use a marching baritone or a bass trumpet and get the same sound in a more compact size, but then again, I dont see what's wrong with just playing a trombone part on a euph! I mean, their sounds aren't exactly the same, but, for a community band, I just don't see the need to invest in a new instrument when you don't really have to. Just my opinion though...

I agree. I didn't suggest using a euphonium because the OP asked about valve trombones, but since SousaWarrior9 mentioned it, I play bass trombone in a community band and sit next to a euphonium player who uses a Bach 4 valve euphonium (Yamaha copy) and we blend very well together. When he plays a trombone part it sounds fine.

bloke wrote:

euphomate wrote:...Is a valve trombone a legitimate horn for a community concert band?...

You would probably need to have it officially OK'ed by the North American Community of Community Bands and Wind Ensembles of the North American Community of Community Bands of North America (NACCBWENACCBNA).

Here is their official website where you can submit your particular instrument for their express approval: http://tinyurl.com/NACCBWENACCBNA

LOL!!!