So, your son or daughter wants to play the trombone. This is a great choice for a young person. As a parent, you want a trombone that won’t break the bank. Good, reliable, and will help your child succeed in band or orchestra through the years. If you have never purchased a musical instrument before, this can be a bit overwhelming. All different types, brands, and price levels.
In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to take for How to Choose Your First Trombone. This will cover trombone types to the various brands, so you can make a confident choice.
Let’s get started!
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Types of Trombones
Most beginners start with a tenor trombone because it’s the most versatile and widely used. Here’s a quick overview of the different types:
- Tenor Trombone – Standard size, perfect for beginners. Found in school bands, orchestras, and jazz groups.
- Tenor Trombone w/F attachment – Has an extra length of formed tubing that uses a “trigger valve” to extend the range of the instrument. Used by intermediate and advanced trombonists.
- Bass Trombone – Larger, deeper sound, used in orchestras and big bands. Requires more air support (better for intermediate/advanced players).
- Valve Trombone – Uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide. This is mostly used by trumpet or baritone players switching over to play a particular type of music. (Not normally a good choice for beginners)
Recommendation: For most beginners, a student model tenor trombone is the best type.
Student, Intermediate, or Professional Model?
When you choose your first trombone, keep in mind that they come in three different models.
- Student Models – Durable, affordable, designed for ease of play. Great for beginners.
- Intermediate Models – Better tone quality, smoother slide, more responsive.
- Professional Models – Superior craftsmanship and sound, designed for advanced musicians.
Tip: If this is your first trombone, choose a quality student model from a reputable brand. You can upgrade later as your skills grow.
Brass or Plastic Trombone?
Plastic trombones like the pBone have grown in popularity. With science and the creativity of top engineers, plastics in musical instruments is highly promoted. Manufacturers and advertisers have seen to this with an eye on young players. From the standpoint of a professional trombonist, I adjudicate the plastic trombone as a novelty item needing scrutiny before purchasing. These manufacturers mass produce these plastic trombones in a variety of colors that are attractive to young people. Because of the affordable price point, adults are drawn in also.
- Brass Trombones – Traditional, richer tone, long-lasting investment.
- Plastic Trombones – Lighter, colorful, less expensive, but tone is not as warm as brass.
My advice: Start with a brass student model. A plastic trombone is not good for building good playing fundamentals.
Choosing the Right Mouthpiece
Most beginner trombones come with a standard mouthpiece. There should be a size marked on it. The size 12c is recommended – perfect for getting started. As you progress, you may want to upgrade to a larger size for comfort and tone.
Quick tip: Check the case for the mouthpiece before accepting a new trombone. An oversized mouthpiece for a beginner can make playing harder.
Budget & Price Expectations
Here’s a general price guide:
- Plastic student trombone – $150–$200
- Brass student trombone – $300–$1000
- Intermediate trombone – $800–$1,500
- Professional trombone – $2,000+
Pro tip: Avoid cheap, no-name trombones online — they often have poor slide action and intonation problems that make learning difficult.
Recommended Beginner Trombone Brands
Based on my many years of teaching, it always comes down to quality first. If you go on Amazon, you will be flooded with very cheap, low quality products. Why is this? Musical instruments (including the trombone) made in China, Taiwan, and India are mass produced. They have low standards for quality control and are made with low-grade materials. These products are designed for marketing through Amazon and places like Walmart. Please don’t fall into this trap.
A youngster or even an adult will notice how difficult it is to play a cheaply made instrument. These “off-brands” can lead to beginning students quitting sooner than later.
On the other hand, most brands made in the United States are known for hand-made instruments, high-quality production, and high-grade materials. These instruments are a bit more expensive, but as a professional trombonist, I notice the big differences immediately.
Below are four solid beginner brands:
- Yamaha YSL-354 – Reliable, smooth slide, great tone.
- Bach TB301 – Durable and easy to play.
- Conn Director – Trusted school band choice.
- Jean Paul USA TB 400 – Good quality, affordable
Rent to Own
Public schools in the United States provide instrumental lessons to the students. Most students start their musical journey in elementary school. The schools partner with local music stores to offer a “Rent-to-Own” program.
Many public school music programs in the U.S. partner with local music stores to offer “Rent-to-Own” options for student instruments. Under this plan, parents pay a monthly rental fee that not only allows their child to use the instrument but also applies a portion of those payments toward eventual ownership. If the child sticks with music, the family may end up owning the instrument after a set period (often 18–36 months). If the child stops playing, most programs allow the instrument to be returned with no further obligation.
This system is designed to reduce the financial risk for families who may not want to buy a new instrument outright until they know their child is committed. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before signing a contract.
Choosing a Used Trombone
Some parents lean towards the purchase of a used musical instrument for their son or daughter. As this might seem to be a good option, let me point out some of the things to look out for.
There are several ways to go about looking for a used trombone
- Used instrument from a friend or relative – You stand a good chance of finding out about the age and condition of the instrument. The friend or relative selling this instrument may be the one who played it previously. You may even get a free lesson out of it.
- Newspaper ad or Craigslist – This is usually a shot in the dark, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. All you need is to buy the trombone, get it home and there is a dent in the slide.
- Pawn Shop – You might get lucky, but in most cases pawn shop owners have no idea what condition the trombone is in.
- eBay – This can be a convenient online shopping experience and price comparison. Again, if you don’t have enough knowledge about ‘trombones’, you may be making a bad purchase.
- Local music store – A better choice due to the fact that a person in a music store is trained in most instruments they sell. You can always ask to speak to someone that knows about
Nationwide Online Music Stores
The following are reputable online music stores that can make your job easier with good results.
Music & Arts
Guitar Center
Sam Ash
Sweetwater
Accessories Every Beginner Needs
When you choose your first trombone, don’t forget the essential accessories every beginner needs. These accessories are part of the “every day” use of the trombone. These five items below are not expensive, but necessary.
| Accessory | Benefits |
|---|---|
|
Slide Lubricant |
Helps the slide move smoothly and quick. Slide cream or oil will help protect the slide from getting stuck or scratched. |
|
Cleaning Kit |
Includes a cleaning brush for the interior of the slide along with a polishing cloth. Regular care is important. |
|
Trombone Stand |
Holds the instrument upright when not being played. This prevents the trombone from falling of a chair or table. |
|
Music Stand |
Very important for displaying sheet music or method books. |
|
Trombone Practice Mute |
A special device that goes into the bell of the trombone for the purpose of reducing the sound to a whisper. This essential accessory allows the player to practice anywhere and any time. |
In Conclusion
Choosing your child’s first trombone is an exciting step in their musical journey. Now that you understand how to choose your first trombone, you can feel confident about finding one that fits your budget, supports proper technique, and helps your future star musician shine. With the right instrument, a little bit of encouragement, your child will be on a great musical journey.
Related Material
How to Play The Trombone: Beginner’s Guide