Soprano Trombone (Slide Trumpet)

Let's start out with the name. The Soprano Trombone is not a slide trumpet. It is pitched in the same key of Bb as the common trumpet and has nearly the same tamber but it is not a slide trumpet. Most commonly used by doubling jazz trumpet players, the Soprano Trombone is not widely used.

Pitched one octave above the Tenor Trombone, the Soprano Trombone's slide is proportional to the Tenor's. In first position this trombone can play concert Bb2, Bb3, F4, Bb4, D5, F5, Ab5 and Bb5. Then every position down goes down a half step. More experienced players can also play higher than that listed above. Some even going up to a concert F6. Even higher for some of the best screamer players.

Contrabass Trombone

The contrabass trombone is a huge trombone pitched an octave below the normal tenor and bass trombones. The mouthpiece is obviously much larger than that of the bass trombone. Almost the size of a tuba mouthpiece. Bb1 is a normal note on this trombone and although note clear all the time and really hard to center this trombone can play all of the way down to E0. There are many different variations of the contrabass trombone but the most common of these rare instruments is in the key of BBb with an F attachment. Many even have a double wrapped slide like the one above.

This trombone is rarely used because of complexity of the instrument and the tuba, which can play all of the notes that this trombone can play. When used this trombone is usually used in orchestras and may have only one notes in a whole concert.

Valve trombone

The valve trombone is exactly what is sounds like. It is a trombone with valves. The most common of the valve trombones is in the key of Bb and has three valves. The type of trombone is essentially a baritone or euphonium except for the shape which gives it a harsher, trombone sound. For a fingering chart check under the baritone/ euphonium page. There are many other types of valve trombones as well. There are some with four valves to make a bass valve trombone which you can also check the baritone/ euphonium page for fingerings. The alto valve trombone is in the key of Eb and for fingerings you can check the alto horn page. The best way to play all valve instruments is to curve your fingers so that the valves can move freely and the valves won't stick as easily.

The valve trombone is rarely used. Sometimes used for some of the faster passages in which the slide can't move fast enough.

Euphonium/ Baritone

Euphonium and baritone are valved coincal bored brass instruments. The Euphonium has a bigger bore than the Baritone. These two instruments are pitched in the key of Bb.

As a brass instrument the Euphonium and Baritone are played by buzzing your lips on the mouthpiece. They also follow the harmonic series. The harmonic series is the series in which harmonics are played through vibrations. As a Bb instrument the Euphonium and Baritone are placed one octave below trumpet and one octave above tuba. In this harmonic series the open position has Bb1, Bb2, F3, Bb3, D4, F4, Ab4, Bb4, C5, D5, E5, and F5. The second valve alone has A1, A2, E2, A3, Db4, E4, G4, A4, B4, Db5, Eb5 and E5. The first valve has Ab1, Ab2, Eb3, Ab3, C4, Eb4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4, C5, D5 and Eb5. The first and second valve has the notes G1, G2, D3, G3, B3, D4, F4, G4, A4, B4, Db5 and D5. The second and third valve has Gb1, Gb2, Db3, Gb3, Bb3, Db4, E4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4, C5 and Db5. The first and third valve has F1, F2, C3, F3, A3, C4, Eb4, F4, G4, A4, B4 and C5. The last position, the first ,second ,and third valve, has E1, E2, B3, E3, Ab3, B3, D4, E4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4 and B4. Although some used more than others, alternate positions can make some things much easier.

Alto Trombone Essentials

Alto trombone is pitched in the key of Eb or F. Along with this if the trombone has an attachment or a trigger which most likely will put the trombone in the key of Bb. The alto trombone is used mostly in orchestras because of the range that this trombone can produce. This type of trombone uses a mouthpiece with a shallower cup size than that of a tenor trombone usually uses, which makes it easier to play in a higher register.

A good tenor trombone player can play all of the notes given to an alto trombone. It's just a lot easier to play with a good tone in that register on a tenor. The bore on an alto trombone is the same as that of tenor trombones without the F attachment and few with the F attachment.

The alto trombone is read in alto clef in which the bottom line is a concert F. The following slide positions are concert notes for an Eb alto trombone. In the first position Eb2, Eb3, Bb3, Eb4, G4, Bb4, Db5, Eb5 and F5. Obviously, like all other trombones, as the slide moves down the pitch will move down a half step per slide position. If the alto that you are playing is in the key of F, you can just take each of those notes and move them up a whole step.

All about the Bass Trombone

The Bass Trombone is an amazing instrument. All of the slide positions are the same as a tenor in Bb although the F attachment is tuned to F2 instead of being tuned to C3 like that of a tenor F attachment.

In addition to that small change most bass trombones have a D trigger on it. The Mouthpiece is much deeper as well to help produce a full sound on low notes. These mouthpieces also make it harder to play high notes, but that is what the tenor and alto trombones are for. In the first position with the D trigger and the F trigger together you can play D1, D2 and D3 although the slide will have to bumped out a little. With both of these triggers and the slide in about two and a half the trombone can produce Db1 and Db2. Then with the slide at about three and a half, almost four, and both of the triggers the bass trombone can produce C1 and C2. And the last one is B0 and B1 which with both triggers can be played in four and half. Obviously you can go even further down to play Bb1, but it is only in very fast passages in which this technique would be used. Overall, bass trombonists usually don't play using the D attachment unless it is a quick transition in the first couple of positions.
The bass trombone is used in many orchestras and big bands because of the low notes being produced in a mellow and less harsh sound as the tenor trombone. The bell size is what helps create this sound.

The Basic Tuba

Tuba is the backbone of any wind ensemble, marching band or brass ensemble. It's conical shape allows this brass instrument to have a mellow yet full and rich sound. It has three or four valves depending on which tuba that you are playing. The tuba is most commonly played in the key of Bb and the fingerings that I have below are for a Bb tuba.

The tuba, like all brass instruments is played with a mouthpiece in which you buzz your lips in. The tighter that you make your lips, the higher you can play on the harmonic series.

As a brass instrument, the tuba follows the harmonic series. In the open position (no keys down) the tuba can play Bb0, Bb1, F2, Bb2, D3, F3, Ab3, Bb3, C4, and D4. When the second valve is pressed down the tuba can play A0, A1, E2, A2, Db3, E3, G3, A3, B3 and Db4. With the first valve this instrument can play Ab0, Ab1, Eb2, Ab2, C3, Eb3, Gb3, Ab3, Bb3 and C4. With the first and the second valve down the tuba can play G0, G1, D2, G2, B2, D3, F3, G3, A3 and B3. The second and third valves together can make Gb0, Gb1, Db1, Gb2, Bb2, Db3, E3, Gb3, Ab3 and Bb3. With either the fourth valve or one and three the tuba can play F0, F1, C1, F2, A2, C3, Eb3, F3, G3 and A3. And last with either the second and fourth or the first, second and third valves E0, E1, B1, E2, Ab2, B2, D3, E3, Gb3 and Ab3. The notes in bold are notes that are common for beggining tuba players and the most common fingering for these notes.