- By utilizing the valves (F attachment and Gb attachment) on a bass trombone, you can choose from multiple positions for the same note (such as middle-register C), allowing you to intentionally vary the resistance and tone color of each position.
- Playing in the open 6th position produces a bright, brilliant sound, while playing through a valve attachment (such as the F attachment) increases resistance and creates a darker, more covered tone color. Selecting the right position based on the key and character of the piece is essential.
- For certain notes (such as D), the optimal position varies depending on the individual instrument and mouthpiece setup. It is important to practice testing all available options with your own ear to identify the position that feels and sounds the best.
One of the great joys of playing the trombone, especially the bass trombone, is the freedom to choose which position to play in by combining the slide with two valves. However, this freedom simultaneously demands that the player make difficult decisions about which fingering is musically optimal. Even for the same note, the playing feel (resistance) and the tone color that reaches the listener change dramatically between an open position, where air travels straight through the tubing, and a valve position, where it follows a more complex path. Professional players utilize this not merely as an "alternate fingering" but as an "expressive tool" that adds color to the music. In this lesson, we will explore the characteristics of each position for key notes and the strategic thinking needed to apply them effectively in performance.
NG vs OK: Rethinking Position Choices Made for Convenience
A common mistake (NG) is choosing a nearby valve position simply for the technical reason that "6th position is far away and difficult." This ends up replacing the brilliant sound the piece calls for with a dark, covered tone chosen purely for your own convenience. The ideal approach (OK) is to first consider "what tone color suits this phrase?" For example, when you want to play boldly and with a singing quality in a bright major key, deliberately choose the open 6th position even though it is farther away. Conversely, in a dark minor key or a mysterious passage, use the F or Gb attachment to intentionally soften the contour of the sound. As a trombone player, once you master this "position selection based on tone color," the persuasiveness of your performance will increase dramatically.
In Practice: Three Distinct Approaches to Playing C
Taking the C just below the middle of the staff as a specific example, there are primarily three options. (1) The open 6th position has the least resistance and produces a brilliant, crisp sound that projects well. (2) The F attachment 2nd position has the most resistance and produces a dark, dense, covered tone color. (3) The Gb attachment flat-2nd position has characteristics that fall between the two, offering a settled sound while retaining a degree of brightness. Try selecting among these based on the piece: for example, the bright 6th position for a B-flat major piece, or the F attachment for a dark C minor piece. The tonal palette of the trombone expands infinitely with each choice you make.
Elevating Your Performance: Strategic Position Selection for Trombone
Position selection is like "casting" for a trombone player. Which tube do you assign to which note? Each of these decisions adds depth and individuality to your performance. Always strive to have a clear reason for why you choose a particular position. The personal "best answers" discovered through diligent study will eliminate hesitation in performance and produce a confident, magnificent sound. Love every tube of your trombone and bring out the full charm of each one. I hope your music will be painted in ever more vivid colors.
