What is the tuning slide of a trombone?
WHAT IS THE TUNING SLIDE? The tuning slide is used to make micro-tuning adjustments to the trombone. The tuning slide is found on the heel of the trombone and can be moved in and out with a small amount of pressure, allowing the player to make micro adjustments to the tuning as needed on the fly.
What do the valves on a bass trombone do?
Modern bass trombones have one or (more commonly) two valves which, when engaged, lower the pitch of the instrument. The first valve lowers the key of the instrument to F. There are two types of second valve—one type lowers the key to G♭, the other, less common, type lowers it to G.
Do all trombones have a tuning slide?
Almost all American-made trombones are tuned using a tuning slide in the crook of the bell section. However, some European instrument makers sell trombones designed with a one-piece crook and a mechanism for tuning the instrument in the handslide.
What can I use instead of slide grease?
So, if you don’t have a tub of slide grease, there are some easy replacements that will work fine:
- Vaseline (petroleum jelly). This thickness of this will not be awesome all by itself but it’s safe to use on your instrument.
- Lanolin.
Do trombones have buttons?
Unlike the flute or the oboes, which have keys, or the French horn or trumpet, which have valves, trombones are a chromatic instrument. Similar to the violin or the cello sliding their finger down the fingerboard, the trombone can use the slide to do a full chromatic scale with no buttons to push.
Can Vaseline be used as slide grease?
“NEVER use Vaseline in place of slide grease. This will corrode your trumpet.” “Vaseline will work too, but be sure that it is non-acidic.”
How often should you oil a trombone?
Generally, you will want to grease your trombone slide with a proper lubricant every week or two, depending on how often you play your instrument.