Best
Beginner Trombone for Adults
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Overall: Closed Wrap F Attachment With A Thumb Rest; 0.525″ Medium Bore; 8″ Bell
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Best Feature: Yellow Brass; Nickel Silver Slide; Clear Lacquer Finish
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TedScore™: 9.5/10
Best
Beginner
Trombone for Children
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Overall: Lightweight With Accessible Design
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Best Feature: ABS Plastic; Slide Material - Glass Fiber
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best Beginner
Trombone Accessory
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Overall: Stable, portable, and foldable stand
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Best Feature: Velvet Finish On The Flared Section And Base
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TedScore™: 9/10
Trombones for newcomers unlock a musical adventure, spanning jazz and classical to pop and rock. Picture yourself jazzing it up in a band or parading along the street with a concert group—anything is achievable with the perfect trombone!
I’ve got some fantastic tips and recommendations for the best beginner trombones. Whether you’re eyeing a brass ensemble or marching band position, I’ll guide you toward instruments that fit your playing style.
Ready to explore and find the best trombone for beginners? Let’s start this fun musical journey!
A Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Right Trombone - Things to Consider
Buying any instrument can be a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider, like price, quality, level, and type, just to name a few.
Because of this, it can be very difficult to know where to start. When looking at purchasing your first trombone, it’s important to know what type of instrument you need before you look at anything else.
Another thing to decide before shopping is whether you’ll buy a new instrument or rent an old one. If you decide to rent or buy an old one, the condition of the slides is the most important factor you should consider.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll concentrate on brand new instruments, as honestly, we think they are a safer, more practical option.
Material - plastic v brass
Generally, trombones are made of one of the varieties of brass, those being rose brass, gold brass, and yellow brass. The best student trombones are typically made from brass, with around 70% copper and 30% zinc. These best trombones produce bright tones.
If you’re an intermediate student, you may consider a more professional model made of gold brass, which comes with a higher percentage of copper (about 80%). Gold brass trombones have a wider and richer sound.
Trombonists who want warmer and mellower timbre pick red brass, which has around 90% copper.
Besides the traditional brass materials, manufacturers have recently introduced plastic trombones. While these instruments can’t compete with traditionally-built trombones in terms of tone quality, they come with numerous advantages.
They’re light to hold and carry, and they are more resistant to bumps. These features make them perfect for younger players and beginning students. Plus, plastic instruments are way cheaper than handcrafted brass trombones!
Budget
Once you have established what your ideal instrument is, you will next need to consider what sort of budget or price range you can work with.
Keep in mind that trombone prices have a vast range. The price depends on the trombone brand, used materials, and craftsmanship. That said, you can find best trombones for as low as £/$100 to £/$5,000+.
You can find plastic instruments for £/$150 and beginner trombone for about £/$500. Intermediate trombones may cost up to £/\$2,000, while professional trombones obviously cost considerably more!
Types of Trombone
Trombones are brass trombone instruments that come in multiple variants. The type will depend on the bell section, bore size, whether it has an F attachment or not, or other factors. It sounds confusing, but don’t worry. We divide trombones into seven groups:
- Tenor trombones
- Bass trombones
- Contrabass trombones
- Alto trombones
- Soprano trombones
- Sopranino trombones
- Piccolo trombones
Out of all these types, the first two are commonly used, and you, as a future trombonist, will probably specialize in at least one of them. Tenor trombone is classed as the ‘standard’ musical instrument to play.
Since bass and tenor trombones are used in various ensembles, symphonic orchestras, brass bands, and jazz bands, we’ll check them out in more detail in the following sections. We also included the alto trombone because it’s smaller and often considered a student trombone.
Alto trombone
While there are various beautiful compositions from the classical and romantic eras, including alto trombones, these musical instruments are also popular for another reason.
Given their size and weight, alto trombones are suitable trombone for younger students. Depending on the model, they may include a rotary valve for transposing down into Bb. So, the student will also get familiar with this trombone feature while learning.
Tenor trombone
The tenor is the most popular musical instrument in the trombone family. It’s pitched in Bb and may include an F attachment for playing lower notes.
A tenor trombone without an F attachment is known as a straight tenor trombone. The instrument doesn’t have tubing on the inside, and therefore, it’s lighter. As a student, you’ll start with a straight tenor, and as you develop your playing skills, you’ll move on to a trigger-type instrument.
Bass trombone
This trombone is the second most popular choice from the trombone family. It’s pitched in Bb, but unlike the tenor trombone, it has two rotary valves. This means that it can play lower notes.
Bass trombones also differ from the tenor in their size. They have bigger bells and bigger mouthpieces. Therefore, they’re also considered large bore trombones.
The valves allow the trombone to transpose. The first valve (identical to tenor F attachment) transposes the instrument to F. The second valve transposes the instrument to Gb or G. When both valves are used, the instrument transposes to Db or D.
You should know that the second valve can be dependent or independent. If independent, the second valve can be used without the F attachment. It sounds all technical, but it’s good for you to know these things if you’re thinking of buying a bass trombone.
Trombone Anatomy
Trombones have three main parts: the mouthpiece, the slide, and the bell. You have to assemble these parts to play.
The mouthpiece is the part on which you press your lips against. It includes:
- Rim – the shape of the rim affects the tone and flexibility while playing
- Cup – the cup depth affects the dynamic range and tone color
- Throat – regulates back pressure and tone quality
- Backbone – directs air into the horn
The slide is the next main part of the trombone. There’s an outer and inner slide. These parts are tubes, and the outer slide surrounds the inner slide.
The slide includes a slide lock, which is a safety feature because it stops the outer slide from moving. Another safety feature is the bumper, which is a piece of rubber on the end of the slide. The water key is another part used to release fluid from the instrument.
The bell of the brass instrument varies depending on the trombone type. E.g., the tenor trombone in Bb can be a straight trombone or an instrument with an F attachment, which consists of a rotary valve.
The rotary valve is activated by a trigger and transposes the instrument down by a perfect fourth into the F key.
Recommended Best Trombones for the Child Beginner
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Lightweight with accessible design
COMES WITH: A convenient carry bag and a strap
MATERIALS: ABS plastic; slide material - glass fiber
pBone Plastic Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Durable plastic
- Affordable price
- Lightweight
- Not good for older students, as it has a very small plastic mouthpiece suitable for younger students.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 8″ bell and .500″ bore. It has good intonation and comes with a 5-year warranty
COMES WITH: case and mouthpiece 48
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; slide material - nickel silver; gold lacquer finish
Yamaha YSL354 Student Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Excellent value for money
- Durable material
- The pack contains everything you need to start
- If you need only the instrument, this package is pricey
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Weather-resistant; produces bright tones; robust enough to handle all knocks from travel or kids playing trombone
COMES WITH: A carry bag and a strap
MATERIALS: ABS plastic; slide material - glass fiber
pBone Mini Plastic Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Even kids as young as three years old can play this mini instrument
- A good substitute for introducing the instrument to young players
- The sound is not the best
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Dual bore - 12.7 mm and 13.34 mm; Bb and C tuning
COMES WITH: a mouthpiece and a form-fitted case with an external pocket
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; clear lacquer finish; nickel silver outer slides; inner slides - chrome-plated nickel silver
Roy Benson TT220 Trombone for Children
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Shorter than a normal Bb trombone, suitable trombone for smaller learners
- Includes a mouthpiece and a case
- Not the best choice for intermediate and advanced students
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Lightweight; it has a two-piece yellow brass bell of 8″; 0.51″ bore size
COMES WITH: A music stand, maintenance care kit, trombone stand, coppergate straight mute for trombones, BC-700 chromatic tuner, molded case with strap, and mouthpiece
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; clear lacquer finish; cupronickel slide
Elkhart 100TB Student Trombone Package
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- All-in-one package at an excellent price
- The instrument is made with quality material
- Not suitable trombone for playing in orchestras
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Small bore; 8″ bell; produces compact tone
COMES WITH: A 12C mouthpiece, case, BC-700 chromatic tuner, coppergate straight mute for trombones, trombone stand, maintenance care kit, and music stand
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; nickel silver slide; clear lacquer finish
Bach TB501 Student Trombone Package, Small Bore
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- The small bore is ideal for a beginning player because it requires less air to produce sound
- Cost-effective
- The player will need a medium bore as they grow up
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Recommended Best Trombones for the Adult Beginner
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 8″ bell; 0.500″ bore; versatile tone for orchestra, brass, or jazz bands
COMES WITH: A mouthpiece and a lightweight case
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; chrome-plated nickel silver slide; clear lacquer finish
Jupiter JTB500 Beginner Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It has a durable design thanks to its nickel-silver slide
- It comes with a durable trombone case with a practical design
- A bit pricey for beginner trombonists
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Closed wrap F attachment with a thumb rest; 0.525″ medium bore; 8″ bell
COMES WITH: A case, Bach 6.5AL mouthpiece, BC-700 chromatic tuner; coppergate straight mute for trombone, trombone stand, maintenance care kit, and music stand
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; nickel silver slide; clear lacquer finish
Conn Selmer 525TB Tenor Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- The Conn Selmer 525TB produces excellent sound
- Durable and lightweight
- All-in-one package
- Costly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Conn Selmer 525TB Tenor Trombone is a professional-grade instrument known for its exceptional tone, playability, and craftsmanship.
When compared to other competitors, the Conn Selmer 525TB stands out due to its superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. The combination of materials and design elements results in a trombone that offers a balanced and rich sound across all registers.
I found that the smooth and precise handslide action really sets the Conn Selmer 525TB apart from other models in its class, making for a more comfortable playing experience.
The Conn Selmer 525TB is a bit pricier than some other tenor trombones, but the top-notch build quality, playability, and great sound make it a solid investment for serious musicians. It’s definitely worth it for those looking for a reliable and professional-grade instrument.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Large bore - 0.547″; 8 2/3″ bell; hand-lapped rotary valve
COMES WITH: A professional Yamaha L51C4 mouthpiece and a hard carry case
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; inner slide - nickel silver; outer slide - yellow brass; finish- clear lacquer
Yamaha YSL-882 Xeno Custom Series Trombone with Large Bore
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Fantastic tone balance
- Hand-hammered, single-piece bell
- Masterly crafted with durable materials
- Expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: A Bb tenor trombone with a curved F-attachment; 13.34 mm bore and 203.2 mm yellow brass bell
COMES WITH: A mouthpiece and case with a rucksack assembly
MATERIALS: Yellow brass; inner slides - nickel silver; outer slides - chrome-plated nickel silver; finish - clear lacquer
Roy Benson TT236F Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Durable materials
- A good musical instrument for learning
- You can find better products on the market
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 14.3 mm bore; 241 mm bell; two triggers (Bb-F, Bb-Gb)
COMES WITH: 14.3 mm bore; 241 mm bell; two triggers (Bb-F, Bb-Gb)
MATERIALS: Gold brass finish; cupronickel slides
Coppergate Intermediate Bass Trombone
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It can be used in various ensembles
- Extended bass range
- Not suitable trombone for beginner or intermediate learners
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 9″ bell; 0.547″ bore; open-wrap rotary F attachment
COMES WITH: C.G. Conn 5G mouthpiece and wood shell case
NATERIALS: Rose brass; outer slide - rose brass; inner slide - chrome-plated nickel silver; finish - clear lacquer
Conn 88HO Trombone, 9″ Bell
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Fantastic tone suitable trombone for professional orchestral and solo performances
- High-quality material
- Expensive
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Accessories for the Trombone
Here we have two trombone accessories that can be helpful for you or your student. I say helpful, but I really mean crucial… And if you’re looking for other accessories (instrument case or bag, mute, music stand, slide cream, cleaning cloth, mouthpiece spray, and a set of various mouthpieces), our Best Accessories For Brass Players article should help…
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 11 pounds load capacity; stable and portable; it can fit in the trombone’s bell for transportation.
COMES WITH: A Hercules velvet carry bag
MATERIALS: Velvet finish on the flared section and base
Hercules DS420B Travlite Trombone Stand
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Stable, portable, and foldable stand
- You can find cheaper options
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS: 10 mm mixture of sliding film and lubricant; easy to apply and store
COMES WITH: A compact design
MATERIALS: Sliding film and lubricant
Slide-o-Mix Rapid Comfort All In One Trombone Slide Lubricant
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Simple all-in-one lubricant for rapid slide care
- You may need other maintenance products
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
trombones for beginners
Summary
So, this is it! We hope our buying guide will help you find the right instrument and start playing an instrument from one of the best beginner trombone brands.
In the end, it’s all down to personal preference. But we can safely say, all the bones on this page are totally brilliant in their own way.
Do drop a comment below and let us know which instrument you picked and why.
Good luck with your quest!
FAQ's
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Wow, just wanna say thanks for this article! I’ve always wanted to try out the trombone since seeing a jazz band live last year, and this guide’s got everything I needed to know. Really excited about checking out those beginner models for adults you recommended. Hopefully, I’ll be jamming on my own soon. Cheers for the great info, gonna start my musical journey now!
While the guide’s pretty thorough, I’m not convinced that kids actually need a ‘child beginner’ model. My kiddo managed fine on my old trombone. Isn’t starting them on adult-sized instruments better in the long run for technique?
It actually depends on the child’s size and ability to handle the instrument. Starting on a smaller model can prevent strain and promote better learning. But it’s always case by case.
Never knew there were so many types of trombones. I’m leaning towards trying the tenor trombone, feels like it might be the best fit for a beginner like me aspiring to join a local band.
Hey, Matthew, thinking bout getting a trombone for my nephew. Is the material really a big deal for beginners? Like does plastic sound way different than brass?