Beginners

Are Professional Trombones Easier to Play? (Explained)

Are Professional Trombones Easier to Play
Written by Corey Morgan

Here’s how easy professional trombones are to play

When it comes to learning to play a trombone, professional models aren’t much easier than student or intermediate models. Professional trombones are constructed in such a way that the instrument may leap between notes more effortlessly, but this is only beneficial to more experienced players.

Why are professional trombones so difficult to play?

You can get a nice basic beginner’s trombone for about $200 if you. With these models, you can achieve a fantastic tone.

A beginner may find it more difficult to play some of the most expensive trombones on the market since they are more likely to jump to the next natural tone.

That’s why beginning trombonists should always choose a nice intermediate or beginner trombone and leave the professionals’ models to the pros.

Because the lesser brands have gotten better at constructing trombones, beginner trombones are just as easy to play as the more professional trombones (or even easier!).

In order to play and sound amazing on the trombone, you don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars!

Price range for beginner and intermediate trombones

Here are some of the most popular trombones for beginning and intermediate students. Jean Paul TB-400 Trombone and Mendini by Cecilio MTB-L Trombone are popular with beginners for their affordability and sound quality.

Two great trombones for beginners that are a lot of fun to play and are very easy to learn.

1. Trombone Jean Paul TB-400

The Jean Paul TB-400 is a beginning trombone that is lightweight and inexpensive. While it doesn’t have the same deep tone as a Selmer, Yamaha, or Bach trombone, this instrument is a real brass instrument at an affordable price.

This instrument can last more than three years, but you’ll be covered for a year with the company’s one-year warranty. This set includes the instrument, mouthpiece, and protective case. To maintain your trombone in tip-top shape, you’ll also receive slide oil, gloves, and a polishing cloth.

2. MTB-L Trombone by Cecilio

The second beginner brass instrument sold at a reasonable price is the MTB-L Mendini. The tenor trombone is tuned to Bb, which is the most common tuning for school bands and orchestras. It has an eight-inch bell and a medium-sized bore. You’ll want to upgrade as you gain more experience with the instrument, but it’s an excellent first trombone.

Buying the beginner’s package is a wonderful value. It comes with everything you need to play, including a travel case, a mouthpiece and slide oil. In addition to the metronome and chromatic tuner, it also has a built-in tuner.

Is it possible to tell the difference between a professional trombone and one that is not?

The material used to make an amateur trombone vs a professional trombone is the most significant distinction. However, you’re also paying for a lot of brand value that doesn’t add much to the instrument’s value.

Let’s begin by looking at the materials and the manufacturing process in further detail:

Bell construction is often made up of a single piece or two pieces in professional trombones like the Bach Stradivarius Series Trombone or Yamaha versions, Jupiter, etc. The tone and volume of the trombone sound are largely determined by this component.

On a professional trombone, the slides are also more precise and the construction around the slides and tubes is superior. Fast-moving and highly precise slides will be standard equipment on professional-grade models.

But, in all seriousness….

If you go for a Bach, Yamaha, or Jupiter model, you’re paying a lot for the brand name! With the beginner’s and intermediate models listed above, I’d recommend starting with one of those.

These trombones are among the best for beginners since they have a fantastic sound and are easy to play (in comparison to some of the higher-end professional versions).

If they can afford it, should beginning trombonists purchase a professional instrument? First-time trombonists should steer clear of professional models while purchasing their first instrument. Period.

Getting the hang of a professional instrument can be more difficult than getting the hang of a competent beginner’s or intermediate model, as we described at the outset of the piece (like the two trombones we looked at above).

Even if you aren’t a total newbie, you may want to consider upgrading your equipment if you believe you can afford it. If spending $2000 on a professional trombone has no impact on your finances, then by all means, do it. However, if you have the means to do so but choose not to, then you should avoid spending the money in the first place.

Beginner models, or intermediate models as they really are, are just as effective at teaching you how to play the trombone as more expensive instruments.

A professional trombone should be purchased when the time is right.

Consider upgrading to a higher-quality trombone once you have mastered the fundamentals. I’m referring to the following as “basics”.

  • You’ve got a good, strong tone on the trombone.
  • You can produce a clear sound (no crackly or spitty sounds).
  • You practice the instrument on a weekly basis.

There is no need to upgrade your trombone if you cannot answer yes to all of the above questions. When that is said, the expense of such an upgrade must clearly be considered!

Many times, upgrading to a better and more professional model will cost you an additional $2,000, and you will most likely not be able to recoup any money from your old trombone because it is not worth much on the used market.

If money is a concern, you should look at purchasing a used trombone. It’s not uncommon to find a decent Yamaha for under $200. I think that’s a great approach to go about it, but you must first give it a try.   A used instrument should never be purchased without first having it played.

Is the sound of a professional trombone better than that of a beginner’s trombone?

A professional trombone will give you a deeper tone, but it depends on a variety of different factors, not just the instrument.

To make it sound better, you must be a very good and experienced trombone player! Having said that, a professional trombone like a Bach Stradivarius or a nice model from Yamaha or Jupiter would sound better when you have years of experience and know how to master the instrument well.

Most popular professional trombones brands

Bach, Yamaha and Jupiter are all prominent brands on the top shelf of the music store. These can cost as much as $9,000.

The Bach Stradivarius, on the other hand, is undoubtedly the most popular and most widely distributed professional trombone.

This can be heard in a variety of classical contexts, as well as jazz and pop music. It’s an excellent professional model, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the type and tuning.

The most popular trombone in Bach’s Stradivarius Series is the 36BO.

For trombone students who want to progress from an intermediate trumpet to a more professional model, most trombone teachers will recommend this instrument.

Professional trombone price range

Trombones used by professional musicians can cost anything from $800 to $10,000. For professional trombone players, Bach Stradivarius models are arguably the most popular.