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Given that we as modern trombonists are expected to demonstrate mastery of many different musical styles, this leads us to ask the dreaded question:

Should we be changing equipment for different types of playing? And if I do change, how do I know where to start?

The short answer:

NO. 

You don’t *have* to change equipment to reflect important contrasts in musical styles or to achieve different timbres on your horn. Style is determined by how you play something, rather than what you play. Being able to change your articulation and time feel are far more important to playing any musical style convincingly.

However…

There are times when we may feel like our equipment is limiting ourselves, for whatever reason. Maybe you are expected to play in an extreme register, high or low ranges, for a long period of time, and you feel that you might benefit from a change in horn or mouthpiece to make the playing task easier. Maybe you are simply curious about what else may be out there! Maybe you are interested in exploring the types of equipment played by trombonists of the past. Or maybe you are hearing a sound in your head that you haven’t quite figured out how to achieve on your current equipment. These are all valid reasons to consider changing something about your setup. As a trombonist who has owned dozens of instruments, and hundreds (!) of mouthpieces of all shapes, sizes, brands, & designs, I consider myself somewhat of an authority on the worst ways of trying new gear. But through the process of trial and error, I feel I have learned a great deal about how much or how little your gear can impact your playing, and identified some effective ways to try and evaluate equipment in a methodical way. So consider that what I have to say below is my perspective only, and you should consider your own needs, experience, and goals as a trombonist when thinking about equipment.

First, it’s important to imagine scenarios where changing equipment is not an ideal choice. These include:

-You are having chop problems or serious endurance and fatigue issues: 

Consult a knowledgable and supportive teacher instead. They will help guide you to address these issues appropriately, and also advise on any equipment changes, if needed. 

-You want to play higher/lower/faster/louder than you are currently able:

Different horns and mouthpieces can make certain types of playing slightly easier (or harder), but will not give you any abilities you don’t already have.

-You have a big performance/recital/gig coming up in the immediate future:

Changing something last minute (days or weeks ahead of a performance, as opposed to several months or longer) could potentially compromise your consistency and preparation unless it is an absolute emergency like a broken horn or a lost mouthpiece! 

-Your horn has a mechanical issue that you are not aware of:

This is a very common occurrence where there is a problem with a player's horn that causes them to think they need a new horn when really what is needed is a simple repair. Examples include air leaks, misaligned slides, missing spit valve corks, F-attachment valves with poor compression, dents in slide bows or neckpipes, or even items stuck inside of the horn, all of which will noticeably reduce the playability of even the best instruments. Make sure your horn is working properly before deciding you need something new! 

I have made every single one of the mistakes listed above, so don’t be like me. 

Once you are certain that you are not experiencing any of the above scenarios, then you are ready to consider an equipment change if you so choose! Below is a process I would highly recommend to ensure that you are getting the results that you want! 

-First: Consult your teacher, if possible!

If you have access to a teacher, ideally an experienced trombonist, ask them first! Since they know your playing almost as well as you know yourself, they hopefully will have great insight into addressing your equipment concerns, and whether or not to make any changes.

-Second: Articulate what it is you feel like you are missing. 

Be as specific as you can. Does your horn feel too open? Too dark? Too bright? Does your mouthpiece back up on you when you play loud? Does the rim feel too small on your chops? Too big? The more clearly you can articulate what it is that you are unhappy with, the more likely you will find the correct solution for yourself quickly without time wasting detours in the wrong direction. 

-Third: Make sure you have a clear sonic role model:

You need to have an idea of the sound you are looking for before you start trying different things. It’s okay if you only have an abstract or ballpark idea of this - it’s still good to have a reference point to compare to, otherwise you might be shooting in the dark. Write down a player or players who have qualities of the 

sound you are looking for.

-Fourth: Pick ONE piece of equipment to change at a time:

If you change multiple factors at the same time, you won’t necessarily know for sure which of the changes you made resulted in the change in your sound or feel of the horn or mouthpiece. If you change horns, keep the same mouthpiece if possible, and vice versa. Even better is if you can identify specific components of a horn or mouthpiece and only change one of those at a time. For example, if you play a horn with a lightweight slide and you want something darker or heavier, try finding a standard or heavy weight example of the same slide to change before trying a completely new horn. Or if you are seeking a new mouthpiece, try to either find a mouthpiece with a similar rim size, but deeper or shallower cup, or keep the cup depth the same but change to a slightly larger or smaller rim. Be methodical about it! This process can help you really hone in on what you might like or dislike about a particular horn or mouthpiece. 

-Fifth: Do your research: 

Once you’ve figured out which component you desire to change, horn or mouthpiece wise, take some time and figure out what options are out there for you. Consider different brands and manufacturers who produce the equipment you are looking for. Talk to your teacher as well as other trombonists, as they might have what you are looking for and can let you try it out. Check out stores that have equipment to try on site, like Dillon's Music, Baltimore Brass, Coles, etc. Try to find a place that lets you take gear on trial for a short time. 

-Sixth: Try before you buy:

Never buy a piece of equipment without trying it first. Additionally, when you do try out new equipment, trust your gut! Bring a friend to listen to you. New equipment always takes getting used to, however even new gear should never feel bad to play or feel like it’s significantly more difficult to get a good sound on. If it doesn’t feel generally ok to your ears or chops at first blow, then that is a sign it might not be the right fit for you! 

-Seventh: Once You’ve Made Your Change, Be Patient:

Once you start playing your new equipment, stick with it for at least several weeks, if not longer, before deciding whether or not it works for you. It may be tempting to switch back to the old equipment if you start feeling nervous about how the equipment sounds or feels different, and this is normal. Give it time and you will be able to assess with more certainty whether the change is right for you. Record yourself on the new equipment, playing alone and with others, to get a more objective sense of how you sound in a variety of playing situations, as horns often feel and sound different in the practice room compared to in an ensemble. Ask for the opinions of your teacher and section mates to get their perspective. Ultimately you may decide that you like the change and stick with it, or you may realize that changing equipment didn’t address your sonic goals in the way you hoped and you are happier on your old equipment. It can be very enlightening to learn just how much and how little equipment can change our perceptions of our own sounds. 

Other Considerations… 

There are as many opinions about equipment as there are trombonists, and all of them may or may not be valid for you, depending on the type of player you are or the type of music you play. Don’t let preconceptions about what somebody thinks is the “correct” equipment for a certain style dictate your choices. Let your ears and chops guide your decisions. Often traditional dogma about horns and mouthpieces gets it totally wrong for certain players. It’s not uncommon for a player to pick up a larger bore horn than they are used to and find it actually helps their range and control in the upper register, and the inverse can be true as well, with some players moving to smaller equipment but getting a darker and richer sound with a fat low range. For example, some players play lead trombone on “traditional” equipment like an 11C or 12C in a 2B, and others use much larger horns like a Bach 36 with a 6 1/2AL or bigger. I have heard both setups used very effectively by different lead players, with neither being more valid than the other, just different! We all have different lips, teeth, oral cavities, and other physical characteristics, so there is no reason to assume that there is one correct setup for everybody. Ultimately you need to play what is right for you, otherwise you may be limiting yourself and the satisfaction that comes with developing your own personal sound and style by playing equipment that doesn’t mesh well with you.. 

Listen with your ears, not your eyes, and go with what feels right to you.