TromboneChat

I’m a bass trombonist looking to expand my horizons and do some tenor work, primarily section work in a big band. Any recommendations on where I should begin my mouthpiece search? On bass tbone currently play a Minick L for legit and a Marcinkiewicz 1 for commercial/big band. Not sure what tenor I’ll end up on (seeking recommendations in a separate thread) but most likely King 3b or Conn 6H.

When I played mostly bass I found the Bach 4C worked best for me on tenor. Alternatively you can look at the Wick 4BS or Schilke 52 (more classical sound).

So many choices!

If you like Marcinkiewicz mouthpieces, check out their tenor trombone offerings.
Among their best:
• ET3 (C Loper)
• ET4 (Lloyd Ulyate)
• 9B (B. Stroup)
• 11

I'm still struggling why you'd want to play something else if you play bass. But I suppose it won't hurt you.

ghmerrill wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2024 5:08 pm I'm still struggling why you'd want to play something else if you play bass. But I suppose it won't hurt you.

Spending a concert playing 1st trombone parts on bass is something I'd rather not repeat.

BGuttman wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2024 6:20 pm Spending a concert playing 1st trombone parts on bass is something I'd rather not repeat.

I'm with you on that. 3rd is okay, but 2nd is unpleasant. And so many "community" band arrangements now seem not to have 3rd (not to mention bass) parts.

DE XT 106N/C+/D3

ghmerrill wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2024 6:35 pmI'm with you on that. 3rd is okay, but 2nd is unpleasant. And so many "community" band arrangements now seem not to have 3rd (not to mention bass) parts.

Yeah, I usually just sit those out. Bonus: if you've got a stick waver who listens with their eyes rather than their ears, having one trombone not playing can sometimes cut down on the "trombones too loud" whinging.

Some people can use different mouthpiece sizes when doubling. Others have a hard time. Give it a few weeks, maybe months. You’ll know which one you are when you start playing a small horn and a small mouthpiece.

I’m a doubler who plays bass and legit tenor (50 and 42), primarily bass. I occasionally borrow smaller horns (36, 16, etc.) for other gigs… and I play bass trumpet when teaching beginning trumpet. Whenever I make an equipment change (mouthpiece, leadpipe, etc.), or make a change from one horn to another, I’m guided by sound. Look for a horn and a mouthpiece that makes it easy to make a characteristic sound and is comfortable to play.

One of my difficulties is adjusting embouchure and air to accommodate the smaller size. It takes less volume of air but just as constant. It takes a smaller, more focused embouchure.

harrisonreed wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:16 am DE XT 106N/C+/D3

This seems to be to be a far-out combination for most trombonists to play on a 0.508" bore instrument. The XT Cup is very large and the 1.06" Rim is also pretty extreme.

But if the OP is used to and likes the dimensions of his bass trombone mouthpieces, it might be O.K. for him.

Posaunus wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 11:33 am

harrisonreed wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:16 am DE XT 106N/C+/D3

This seems to be to be a far-out combination for most trombonists to play on a 0.508" bore instrument. The XT Cup is very large and the 1.06" Rim is also pretty extreme.

But if the OP is used to and likes the dimensions of his bass trombone mouthpieces, it might be O.K. for him.

They can pick whatever rim they want. But they're a bass player...

That's the basic setup though. The XT C+ cup is not very large. It's designed for all around small bore playing. The D3 is for .508 .

That's what I use on my .500 at work, albeit with a 104 rim.

An update: I picked up a 1963 Conn Constellation at a reasonable price so I now have a small bore horn. Will be playing primarily section parts in a big band. Since I’m really a bass tbone player the only small shank mp I have on hand is an Olds 3 ( why and where I got it, God only knows). Played my first service on it last night….right sound but pretty uncomfortable….too small, rim too wide, stuffy . Probably all a result of my bass tbone sensibilities… any recommendations?

Maybe check out a used conn 3 or yamaha 48. Both of them are in between a 7c and 6 1/2al.

tbone5 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 11:42 am An update: I picked up a 1963 Conn Constellation at a reasonable price so I now have a small bore horn. Will be playing primarily section parts in a big band. Since I’m really a bass tbone player the only small shank mp I have on hand is an Olds 3 ( why and where I got it, God only knows). Played my first service on it last night….right sound but pretty uncomfortable….too small, rim too wide, stuffy . Probably all a result of my bass tbone sensibilities… any recommendations?

Yes, an Olds 3 is not only too small for your 0.500" bore Conn 48H, it has the incorrect shank taper for this trombone. Almost any standard small-shank piece would be better. As noted elsewhere, a Conn Connstellation mouthpiece could be great. The suggested Conn 3 could work well. My preference might be a Marcinkiewicz piece such as the ET4 (Lloyd Ulyate), or my latest fave, the Yamaha Nils Landgren.

But your chops are not mine, so you may have to experiment. And since you're coming from bass trombone, it may take you a while to settle in to a tenor piece that feels comfortable.

Good luck. Enjoy the ride!

I'll offer a drastically different option since I know what going from bass to small bore (first an Olds Ambassador, then the Conn 6H in my profile) section work feels like, especially if you end up on 3rd more than 2nd.

The above suggestions are fine, but you might want to try a Bach 5 (no letter). It was a revelation for the me who is used to playing lower voices (also a tuba player) as it gave me the freedom to move between partials, and play in the low register easily, without sacrificing my high range.

Still, your chops aren't mine, and you'll still need to settle into the "feel" of small bore playing to find your "fit".

1.04-1.06” rims are increasingly becoming a popular choice. Doug’s C+, like Harrison pointed out are only very slightly deeper than a Bach C cup, and shallower than a 6.5AL

My N104 rim size is usually a very easy switch from bass.
Choice of cups and backbores specific to your horn.

Thanks again to those that have chimed in. I’ve got a Conn 3 on the way and in the meantime a kind soul has loaned me a Dennis Wick 6BS. The 6BS is a vast improvement over the Olds 3. Having not dabbled with different mpcs in decades I’m quickly seeing that I’ve opened a can of worms. I’m juggling several balls simultaneously: new horn, different function/role in the ensemble, managing the physical differences between primary and secondary horns, etc. On the other hand it’s exciting/ fun to expand my skills and playing opportunities so I’d say it’s a net gain.

I am more comfortable on large bore tenors and full bass bones. When I had to pick up a small bore I tried the normal small bore mps but found it to be stuffy. Bach 5 size MP really opened up the horn. I bought a Doug Elliott combo that worked great for me. I sold off all my small bores and it is for sale. PM me for details.