Tremendous Tenor Trombone Talk Along w/ Bass Trombone Banter

King Tenor Trombone

The tremendous tenor trombone is the most common of all the trombones. I would even say that they are the king of the trombone section. Any ways, you can find them in a classical, jazz, ska or funk band. As many musicians know the fundamental note of the tenor trombone is Bb even though the trombone is in the key of C. What this means is the first position (open position) is Bb.

Trombone Position Diagram

There are seven positions on the tenor trombone like all trombones. Since the tenor is based on the mid range there majority of the positions used are within 6.  The usual range of a tenor trombone is from a pedal Bb to a high Ab.  

Tenor Trombone Musical Range 

  Since the tenor trombone is the most common trombone in bands there's lots of music where the tenor trombone breaks the limited range here. For example There's Andy Martin one of my favorite trombonists that loves to go out of the range. Here's one video of his work Posted by Rob Egerton. 

Straight Tenors are not typically used in the context of classical bands. This is mainly for the smaller bore size provides a brighter tone quality which is better for a jazz setting.

Next is the f-attachment tenor trombone, the type of trombone I personally own. 

F-Attachment Tenor Trombone

What the f-attachment does is lowers the pitch of the fundamental note from Bb to F. The Trombone includes a trigger to enable this change to occur. The bore size(width of tubing) is larger in an f-attachment trombone and can be 0.525" or 0.547" compared to the bore size of a tenor trombone which can get into the 0.4"'s The reason that most people have f-attachment in classical bands is so that there is more of a supported and deeper tone while allowing for a lower range, alternate positions and more in tune notes. 

Next is the lovable Bass Trombone. 

Bass trombone

 It seems than next year I will be playing fourth trombone in

the varsity jazz band which involves the glorious

bass trombone. The low end of the trombone line-up, but not the lowest. The typical bore size of a bass trombone is 0.562" or 0.580" with the bell size being bigger than the f-attachment trombone and even bigger than the straight tenor. This allows for a greater dispersal sound. This is why there are straight tenors in jazz band for bright and directed music except for fourth trombone of course. I shouldn't say this again, but, this is why there are f-attachment trombones in classical bands along with bass trombones. To discontinue my ramblings, please make sure to comment and vote on which instrument in truly the best. Thanks for reading, if you made it all the way through, then you will definitely get a trophy... within 7 to 2700 years. Have a good day, a good night and everything in between. P.S. heres this 15th century bass trombone.

15th Century Bass Trombone