Bach Trombone

For either beginner or professional players who want an instrument that will be easy to play, great sounding and durable enough to last them years, a Bach trombone is a great option. The Bach trombones are famed for their great tone and build quality, and it is no hubris to note the namesake. In this article, we will have a look at the various trombones available under the Bach name, and since the article is aimed partly at beginners, we will start with the question, “What is a trombone?”

Trombone construction:

The big, rich sound of the trombone stands out among the other brass orchestral instruments. A trombone is instantly recognizable, what with its long, moving slide, which is slid forwards and back to change the note being played, and its large bell. The purpose of the slide is to change the internal volume of the instrument and thus its pitch.

The trumpet is probably the most closely related instrument to the trombone, as they have in common the cross-section of the bore; both are cylindrical, compared to the French horn, for example, which is conical. Playing the trombone involves developing an embouchure, which is the vibration of the lips against the mouthpiece to produce sound. There are various kinds of trombone, including valve and alto variants, but most players will want to start with the more common kinds of tenor and bass trombone.

Bach trombones:

The Bach range is varied enough to appeal to the expert and student alike. There is a dedicated Student line intended for beginners, an Intermediate line for those who know there way around the instrument, and a Professional line for those who have risen to among the top ranks of the orchestral world. It is in the Professional line that the Bach Stradivarius trombone line resides. One of the gems in the Bach lineup is the Bach 42 Trombone, which is a tenor instrument featuring a one-piece yellow brass bell, which was hand-hammered into shape. The instrument also includes a genuine Vincent Bach large shank mouthpiece and a wooden case covered in zippered Cordura. It is tuned to Bb.

If you would like an equivalent bass trombone, do not worry – a Bach bass trombone is a wonderful thing. The Bach 42bo trombone is the bass variant of the tenor 42, and includes many of the same specifications, such as a clear lacquer finish. The 42bo has an 8.5” bore and an open-wrap F section with a traditional rotor.

What to think about when buying:

Buying a trombone can be a stressful experience, as it is hard for a beginner to make an educated judgment of the relative merits of various instruments they might try in a music store. If you can, consider borrowing a professional from your local band, perhaps your music teacher. They will have a much better view of what is suitable.