Tuning B-Flat

[AlexBassBone]

Hello! I have a problem, the trombone is all tuned in the whole register, but it is in the first position, the high and low B flat, there are always high pitches

I play relaxed and etc, but there is no way. I always have to pull out the tuning slide a lot!

Someone else happens? What solution would you implement?

Thaaaaanks!

[JeffBone44]

It could be a mechanical issue with your playing. Recently I was having a problem with my pitch being very high, and I was also pulling out my tuning slide more than usual. After a lesson to correct my embouchure and mouthpiece placement my intonation improved, and now I can play with the tuning slide in its regular spot.

With some trombones 1st position is too high. Are you playing right up against the bumpers? I never play 1st position all the way in, there's always a little bit of wiggle room in case I need to adjust. This is also so that I can play a slide vibrato in 1st position.

[Burgerbob]

What trombone and mouthpiece?

[AlexBassBone]

What trombone and mouthpiece?

Hi!

I play with Yamaha YBL830, and the mouthpiece is a MST STUDIO (27'7 rim, and 7'7 bore).

Thanks!

[AlexBassBone]

It could be a mechanical issue with your playing. Recently I was having a problem with my pitch being very high, and I was also pulling out my tuning slide more than usual. After a lesson to correct my embouchure and mouthpiece placement my intonation improved, and now I can play with the tuning slide in its regular spot.

With some trombones 1st position is too high. Are you playing right up against the bumpers? I never play 1st position all the way in, there's always a little bit of wiggle room in case I need to adjust. This is also so that I can play a slide vibrato in 1st position.

hi!

Yes, I'll review all this, and see if it's placement in general, embouchure, body, etc...

It may also be that today was not a good day hahaha

Thanks!

[Burgerbob]

What trombone and mouthpiece?

Hi!

I play with Yamaha YBL830, and the mouthpiece is a MST STUDIO (27'7 rim, and 7'7 bore).

Thanks!

830 is built pretty short. Even with a larger mouthpiece I was pushed out on the tuning slide 25mm or so.

[harrisonreed]

Push in your tuning slide. Play first position 1.5 inches off the bumpers.

[MStarke]

Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece!

[AlexBassBone]

Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece!

Hi Markus!

no way! Of course not, it won't be because of the mouthpiece, always. This has happened to me with this trombone.

Great mouthpiece!

[imsevimse]

Push in your tuning slide. Play first position 1.5 inches off the bumpers.

For me it's easier to play an instrument in tune if Bb is off the bumpers especially since the A varies a lot over here. I just played with an organ tuned A=443 last sunday. In that case Bb is not THAT much off the bumpers. You do what you have to, you just need to adopt. To play the Bb off the bumpers also allows for an intune high D on first in closed position but it only works if A=440 or if I have cut the tuningslide . That high d is what settles it for me, because I need that more than the low b in seventh position. I often tune Bb so much off the bumpers to barely have a 7:th pos. My Bb is about 2.5 cm off the bumpers.

Bb off the bumper is also how we teach trombone in Sweden since it is how teachers under education are taught to teach their students. We teach "off the bumper" and how much this really is is for the student to discover.

One reason to play with the tuningslide pushed in is that
In Europe we often play A=442 or even higher.
A=442 is often how pianos are tuned here and is also how classical symphony orchestras tune to the oboe or higher. For us trombones from USA are usually built too flat for this. I had to cut the tuningslide on my Conn 88h when I had those gigs.

To make a long story short I guess your bass is built to be played in A=443 to also satisfy the European market. In US you pull to 440 and then the trombone works world wide.

/Tom

[MStarke]

Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece!

Hi Markus!

no way! Of course not, it won't be because of the mouthpiece, always. This has happened to me with this trombone.

Great mouthpiece!

Thanks Alex!