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Originally Posted by WRBass  I'm sure there are some trombone players here that can give more details. Like, are the multiple notes you can hit in one position offset in 4ths or 5ths? |
The notes that you can play in one position are the notes in the overtone series based on the length of the instrument, in that position. So the shortest postition is 1st. On most trombones that is a Bb. The lowest 'usual' for this position is second line in the bass clef staff. (there is a 'pedal' Bb one octave lower, but the player needs to make a slight adjustment in the embrochure - lip to mouthpiece contact - to play that note). The next highest note is F, fourth line bass staff... after that Bb, top of the staff, then D, then F, and after that the notes get closer and closer, some of them in tune with standard pitch and some not. Players learn that there are 7 positions... but the experienced players know that each postion needs to be altered just a little bit depending on how high or low the notes are (think of the higher frets... they are closer together, the same acoustic properties affect the trombone slide and other adjustable pitch instruments).
There are trombones with extra tubing that a player can use with a valve opperated with the left thumb. Those instruments are not necessarily a Bass Trombone... there are Bass Trombones with 1 or 2 left thumb valves. Of course that changes a lot of what the player does with the slide.
Yea, a trombone is not a simple instrument. This is probably more information that you asked for.. but what the heck. There are also Alto Trombones and Soprano Trombones (although a lot of people call them slide trumpets). If you really dig the sound of trombones, check out some Moravian Church music.. its all trombones of all sizes and very beautiful music.
