TromboneChat

I’m a retired beginner, and am looking to rent an instrument, specifically recommended to me is a Yamaha YSL-354C or an intermediate Yamaha YSS-448G with F attachment for $10/month more. What would you all suggest? I’m interested in a multitude of styles. Also it has been recommended that I get a 6 1/2AL mouthpiece. Do you concur? I haven’t yet decided on which of three possible teachers I’ll ultimately go with.

The 354C is an excellent beginner trombone. If you have never played before it's a good choice for a beginner. The F-attachment 448 is good if you already have a familiarity with playing a "straight" horn. Eventually you are going to stop renting and buy something. At that point you can see if you want the F-attachment or not.

Again, the 6 1/2 AL is a good beginner size; i.e what to use when you don't know what you need. You may not need anything else, or you may need to change. It will take at least a year for this to be apparent.

Both are good instruments for a start. Make sure they are in a good functioning state and well cleaned. Nothing is more frustrating to a beginner than an instrument that is technically holding you back. Same for the mouthpiece. In case it's included in the rent, make sure it has a round shank, no major marks on the rim and is clean. Otherwise for relatively little money (probably around 20-25 USD) you can buy a new and good quality 6 1/2 AL.

I would actually say that renting the 448 with the f attachment may be a good choice. Maintenance shouldn't be a big thing.

More important: If at all possible, get some lessons. Besides the obvious point of learning trombone playing basics - which is far easier to learn if you not only read, but also see how it's done and get direct feedback - a good teacher will ensure good posture and also showing basic maintenance of the instrument.

Get the 448 and commit to learning to use the trigger where it's appropriate. (e.g., don't go from 5th to trigger 1 to play D-flat to C, but do go from 6th to trigger 3 to play C to B-flat.)

Might as well learn those patterns along with all the other alternates that exist from the very beginning.

--Andy in OKC

I wouldn't start with a trigger. 12C is a good general mouthpiece starting point, but you'll find the lower register much easier with the 6 1/2AL. I use a 6 1/2 AL a lot.

Isn't a 61/2 AL a large shank?

StephenK wrote: ↑Sat Sep 02, 2023 10:06 am Isn't a 61/2 AL a large shank?

They come in both small and large.