Jazz Trombone F.A.Q.s

 

7) I notice that many jazz trombonists play smaller-bore instruments. Why is this?

 

Jeff Adams: Simply put: Tradition!  It is the appropriate sound in a big band.

Many soloists nowadays who don't do a lot of big band playing are using .547

bore horns like Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks & Jason Jackson.

Since they are not called on to blend with a section of other ‘bonists', this

is a valid and sometimes fun option for them and for any trombonist.  Next

time you are the only Bone player in a band take a bigger horn and see how it

feels.

 

Alex Iles: There is a little on-going debate raging among trombonists on this topic,

without one "right" anwer.

 

For many years [1900's through the 1970's], the majority of famous jazz trombone

players have chosen to play small bore or medium small bore instruments, while

orchestral trombonists have tended to play larger bore instruments. 

Jazz trombonists, since the majority of their time has traditionally been spent in

big bands, have to play more hours at high volumes usually and the smaller bore

instruments allow them to "cut" a little more without becoming strident, and a

section of smaller bore instruments tend to blend better with trumpet sections.

Many jazz trombonists say they feel more flexible and have better endurance on

smaller bore instruments.

 

The last few years, there has been a trend among some players to play larger

bore instruments.There are fewer high profile jazz trombonists these days, while

there has been a rise in the popularity of symphonic and "legit" solo trombonists

among the next crop of trombonists. Younger players, therefore, are gravitating to

larger bore horns similar to the ones played by these popular "legit" players. Also,

many of today's prominent jazz soloists are not spending as much time playing in

big bands as twenty of thirty years ago and are attracted to the "bigger" sound of

the larger bore instruments in today's jazz groups [especially latin jazz bands],

while the larger bore instruments are finding more acceptance in certain big band

situations. There are more soloists emerging on the bass trombone too [Bill

Reichenbach for one]  which creates another level of sound to consider. The

smaller bore horn [.485" to.509"], however, still remains the instrument of choice for

the majority of jazz trombonists.

 

Ultimately, find out what the players you enjoy are playing and try it for

yourself. There are many great horns on the market and there is usually one [or

more!] that will "fit" what you want to do.

 

Sam Burtis: Small bore horns make it easier to play high, with better endurance. 

Trombonists are asked to do MUCH more in "jazz" than in orchestral work.

   (Not necessarily BETTER...just MORE.)

   Three sets of big band lead or three sets of quartet playing will

require more minutes of playing, more notes, and often more HIGH notes,

than 16 concerts w/ an symphony orchestra. Also more STRENUOUS playing than

a brass quintet, generally.

Chris Smith: I can’t really add anything here, except that everyone should experiment 

themselves with equipment and then they can come to their own conclusions. The vast 

majority of big band lead trombonists play smaller horns. Many jazz soloists play 

bigger horns. Things are changing a bit (there’s a trend towards bigger equipment), 

but for a LONG time, this has been the way things are done.  

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