stupid? ideas -possibly of interest to skeptical trombonists

[Rick Denney]

Anything that requires a slide fails all my own tests.

But a valve bass trombone would be interesting. Four valves, please, or five. Larger bore like a proper bass trombone. Sort-of like a euphonium for tuba players, except that can product a characteristic bass trombone sound. It would only be used for quintet stuff from the Renaissance, for example, where esoteric slide effects would not be in the music.

I used to own a valve trombone and it was fun to mess around with. But the bore was too small and it only had three valves, so there was lots it could not do, even without slide effects. I used it as trade fodder for my first F tuba.

Rick "who can't manage one set of slide positions, let alone the several you guys are talking about" Denney

[timothy42b]

Rick "who can't manage one set of slide positions, let alone the several you guys are talking about" Denney

Yeah, but you manage tubas in F, Eb, BBb, and CC, with 3,4,5, and 6 valves. Seems more complicated than trombone to me.

[Donn]

It's one thing if you simply operate the valves, but anyone who's up for running 5 valves and a tuning slide, has little to worry about with a trombone hand slide. Well, aside from arm length.

[Rick Denney]

Rick "who can't manage one set of slide positions, let alone the several you guys are talking about" Denney

Yeah, but you manage tubas in F, Eb, BBb, and CC, with 3,4,5, and 6 valves. Seems more complicated than trombone to me.

Well, not really (not me, at least). I have F tubas with 5 and 6 valves, but the fifth valve means the same thing on both of them. I couldn't manage it otherwise.

And I don't play Eb or C tubas. One additional set of fingering patters was enough for me.

Moving a slide requires quickness and accuracy. The valves have hard stops in both directions, so they only require quickness. It makes a difference!

Rick "who has messed with trombones and even owns a couple, but never put in the time required to develop acceptable slide technique" Denney

[marccromme]

It's one thing if you simply operate the valves, but anyone who's up for running 5 valves and a tuning slide, has little to worry about with a trombone hand slide. Well, aside from arm length.

Achieving fast and fluent slide motion with accurate tuning, and without jerking and distortion of embouchure takes years to learn. Cleverly planned alternative positions help a lot.

Achieving fast and fluent 5 valve in one hand manipulation takes ..... . ... fingerings ...

Only sad thing is that its not the same years needed for both tasks. ..

[Rick Denney]

Just in case this has not been made clear:

I have tremendous respect for trombonists who possess superb slide technique and who execute it with superb intonation.

...but (seriously) anyone who is not in awe of great violinists has to have their head up their butt.

Yes, and yes.

Rick “gimme those frets” Denney

[Matt G]

If someone got ahold of the front action compensating euphonium Wessex is building, took some bass trombone ends and pieces, and built them in the spirit of the Miraphone “Python”, that would be a rowdy instrument.

Python social media post for reference:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFHU7AgLvY ... 43x8oeev0r" target="_blank