Buy Bass trombone

Buying a Bass Trombone

The bass trombone is an essential instrument in a standard symphony orchestra performing works from the Romantic period or later. It is also part of military bands, jazz bands, wind ensembles, and various musical groups. If you want to buy a bass trombone, you can find information below about this brass instrument to help you make the right choice.

What Instruments Are Part of the Trombone Family?

The trombone family is quite extensive, as it includes a wide variety of musical instruments with similar morphology and operation. The current members of this family are as follows:

• Cimbasso.
• Contrabass Trombone.
• Bass Trombone.
• Tenor Trombone.
• Alto Trombone.
• Soprano Trombone or Slide Trumpet.
• Sopranino Trombone or Piccolo Trombone.

In the list above, the instruments are arranged from the one producing the lowest sound to the one creating the highest. This is a very old family of instruments, and their tuning has evolved over the years. Even today, some of them show variations in tuning.

Difference Between the Bass Trombone and Other Trombones

The bass trombone is usually naturally tuned in B-flat (B♭), but an octave lower than the traditional tenor trombone. Thus, it is one of the trombones with the deepest sound, only surpassed by the contrabass trombone and the cimbasso.

To the untrained eye, the bass trombone looks very similar to the tenor trombone, as they have the same tube length. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the former’s tube is thicker and its bell is larger in comparison to the latter.

The sound of this instrument falls at the low end of the musical scale covered by the trombone family. As a result, it is often used to produce deep and penetrating sounds in symphony orchestras and brass bands.

What Is the Best Trombone for Beginners?

Any type of trombone can be used during the learning process, as there is no significant difference in the playing technique of the instruments within this family. However, many beginners tend to choose the tenor trombone as a learning instrument due to its versatility. In the specific case of the bass trombone, it is also considered a good option for adult learners.

How Long Does It Take to Learn to Play the Bass Trombone?

Playing the bass trombone is relatively simple compared to other brass instruments. Therefore, it is possible to master the basic principles of playing it within six to eight months, provided that learning is done with adequate dedication.

What to Consider When Buying a Bass Trombone?

When buying a bass trombone, you should take into account the following aspects:

Musical Use

Generally, there is one bass trombone in every symphony orchestra, played by the third performer in the trombone section. It usually plays a secondary role, with tenor trombones taking center stage. In jazz and the Caribbean rhythm of salsa, it also often has a minor role in accompaniment.

Therefore, the bass trombone can be considered a largely secondary instrument, not taking center stage as other brass instruments do. If you want more prominence, choosing a tenor trombone is more suitable.

Features

Some models of bass trombones offer a straight or rotary valve for transposition, which increases the instrument’s playing range. However, this feature significantly raises the price of the trombone and is not appropriate for beginner players.

Material

There is a wide range of materials used to make bass trombones, with the most common being:

• Yellow Brass. This material offers a high durability-to-cost ratio, making it ideal for more affordable brass instruments. It produces a sound that is considered rich and bold. It is used to make cheap bass trombones and low-to-mid-range models.
• Rose Brass, Gold Brass, or Red Brass. This material provides better sound than the previous one, with a warm and dark tone. Since it is more expensive, it is often used in mid-to-high-range bass trombones.
• Nickel, Nickel Silver, or Sterling Silver. These types of metal alloys generate a higher quality sound compared to the previous two. Due to its high cost, it is reserved for the production of professional bass trombones.

How Much Does a Bass Trombone Cost?

The price of a bass trombone depends on the quality of its materials and the construction details used in its production. At La Musa Instrumentos, you can find affordable bass trombones starting at around 450 euros, as well as professional models priced up to 7,500 euros.

Buy a Bass Trombone at La Musa Instrumentos

At La Musa Instrumentos, your online store for brass instruments, you can buy the bass trombone that suits your needs. On our website, you’ll find the best brands on the market: Consolat De Mar, J. Michael, Arnolds & Sons, Getzen, Bach, and Stomvi, among others. As well as trombone mouthpieces, mutes, and other accessories you need to play your instrument.

Don’t wait to buy the bass trombone you need to start learning or take your performance to the next level.