Bass trombone vs. contrabass trombone

[Steve Marcus]

If a tuba player wants to learn to play bass trombone with the goal of playing it in ensembles...

- Does a contrabass trombone typically demand much more efficient use of air than a bass trombone?
- Is the contrabass trombone more challenging to play in the upper range than a bass trombone?
- When playing any genre of music written for bass trombone, what are the differences for the player's technique with contrabass trombone vs. bass trombone?
- What limitations does a contrabass trombone present, if any, in playing parts that are usually covered with a bass trombone?
- Would it be a mistake to acquire a contrabass as one's exclusive trombone if tuba is one's main axe?

These questions are asked with the acknowledgement that there are various sizes and bores of bass and contrabass trombones (and in the case of contrabass trombone, different keys [F or BBb]), different valve configurations, etc.

[quesonegro]

Contrabass trombone is simply the wrong sound if you're playing bass trombone parts...not necessarily a matter of whether it's possible to play the parts, but in most cases it'll simply sound weird...like playing 1st trombone parts on a bass trombone...
I don't know a single player out there that plays contrabass trombone exclusively and there's a reason for that
If you're looking for versatility, go for the bass bone...if it's just for your own enjoyment, pick whatever feels like more fun.
One practical aspect of it is also that a good contra is vastly more expensive than a bass!

My two cents, being no stranger to the bass trombone myself!

//Mattis

[J.c. Sherman]

Contrabass trombone is simply the wrong sound if you're playing bass trombone parts...not necessarily a matter of whether it's possible to play the parts, but in most cases it'll simply sound weird...like playing 1st trombone parts on a bass trombone...
I don't know a single player out there that plays contrabass trombone exclusively and there's a reason for that
If you're looking for versatility, go for the bass bone...if it's just for your own enjoyment, pick whatever feels like more fun.
One practical aspect of it is also that a good contra is vastly more expensive than a bass!

My two cents, being no stranger to the bass trombone myself!

//Mattis

+1 (x 1,000,000)

[tbn.al]

I have been playing bass trombone for over 40 years. I have heard people say that bass trombone takes more air than tuba but I don't believe that. It does take a lot more air to fill it up than a tenor trombone and the same can be said for contrabass. I cannot play a decent forte phrase on contra. I don't seem to have as much trouble on tuba. This is all very unscientific but it's what I feel when I try to play 'em. You have got to be a hoss to handle a contra, but the same might be said of many BATs.

[Bob Kolada]

I think that, for a valve player, a cimbasso would be a better bet than a contra. It might even be a better bet than a bass trombone. There are a lot of bass trombone only/primarily players in Chicago.

As for using contra as a bass sub, it could work with the right horn, mouthpiece, music, and player but it's not a solution for everything. Even if it did work you'll see opposition; like when I asked about using mine for an Easter gig.

If you want a bass-contra tweener style horn, that may be something. I'm sure someone could build up a modern bore double valve G bass. Not too far from a bass, not too far from an F contra.

[Donn]

Would the idea be to play contrabass tuba parts, mainly?

[GC]

It could be used for that, but wouldn't have the same depth as tuba. Still, some individual with the right tone might make it work.

The common regular uses are for large trombone ensemble arrangements that use one for the bottom voice, or for the rare orchestral part. Special ensemble arrangements also show up here and there; I've seen one used instead of tuba in beer-hall dance bands. For jazz, band, or brass band, it would really only fit in low register work; otherwise it would sound funny.

Also there's the obvious caveat: bass trombone parts can occasionally reach way above the staff into areas that the contrabass isn't made to go. I've had to play high Bb's on bass trombone more than once in big bands.