Posted by Joe Baker on July 09, 2003 at 02:54:50:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Learning Trombone posted by Looking For A 'Bone on July 08, 2003 at 15:20:33:
When you say 'small group', just what kind of small groups do you mean? BQ, dixieland, circus band, church orchestra,... And do you expect to play first, interior, or bass trombone parts?
In any case except for bass trombone, you'd be best served to start with a simple beginner-type small-bore tenor. A Conn Director, a King 605/606, Yamaha 341, etc. Don't worry about dents in the bell or even in the tuning slide, just be sure to get one with a smooth-working slide. With a minimum of shopping around, you should be able to pick up one of these at a pawn shop for less than $100 -- probably quite a bit less. Later, if you wind up playing more 'legit' stuff or playing a lot of third-bone parts, you'll probably want to move to a larger instrument, a symphonic tenor with a trigger. If you want to play dixieland or big-band, there are other instruments that tend either to the raunchier or the sweeter direction. It just depends what kind of music you expect to play the most.
Good luck,
Joe Baker, who has a Conn Director and a Benge 190, and payed a total of $110 for both.