Middle school band - trombone vs baritone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing with the slide is true of most kids. Kid music doesn’t use the slide position all the way out very often (plus kids often make it fall out lol). No worries there.

My kid has been playing for four years, since the fourth grade, and still can't quite get all the way out there and still get it back for the next note without dropping it. Hasn't been a problem. They adjust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one he wants to play.

I'll second this. Your child will grow into their instrument if they stick with it and like it enough.

[Anonymous]

Something to consider: less students pick the baritone. My DC started playing in in 4th grade, despite me trying to persuade him to pick a smaller instrument to walk back and forth to school with. He played it all through HS and university marching band and even marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with his university band a couple years ago (there is a smaller version of the baritone/euphonium for marching). DS enjoyed it, was serious and good but he never had a private lesson and he was not exceptionally talented. There just is not a lot of competition for spots in the band for this instrument, unlike a trumpet or a trombone. In fact, several trumpet and trombone players in his university marching band switched to baritone every year in order to be members.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trombone would be more flexible -- wind ensemble, marching band, orchestra, jazz, brass quintet all have trombone parts

+1 My DD plays baritone/euphonium and she likes it but it is a bit of a PITA to transport and she says it's the most physically demanding marching band instrument because the marching version is held up like a trumpet but it is BIG and heavy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something to consider: less students pick the baritone. My DC started playing in in 4th grade, despite me trying to persuade him to pick a smaller instrument to walk back and forth to school with. He played it all through HS and university marching band and even marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with his university band a couple years ago (there is a smaller version of the baritone/euphonium for marching). DS enjoyed it, was serious and good but he never had a private lesson and he was not exceptionally talented. There just is not a lot of competition for spots in the band for this instrument, unlike a trumpet or a trombone. In fact, several trumpet and trombone players in his university marching band switched to baritone every year in order to be members.

PP with the DD who does baritone. This is a point in favor of it. She plays for fun, good but not super serious but still got a music scholarship for college to encourage her to continue. The symphony only has two baritone players.

[Anonymous]

You can get a slide extension for trombone until he grows into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trombone would be more flexible -- wind ensemble, marching band, orchestra, jazz, brass quintet all have trombone parts

+1

[Anonymous]

I know this was an old thread but since it was bumped...

My DS was interested in trombone when he was little (like K), then didn't say anything about it until he came home in 4th grade and announced he was playing trombone in 5th. I thought we'd hear a lot of dying cow noises but he picked it up quickly and loves it. I too was worried about his size and reaching the notes but he's done fine with that. I will say his elementary school band had like 18 trombones so there's definitely competition... though there has been attrition in middle school.

He actually picked up a trumpet at some point and was able to play pretty quickly so I think it's not hard to go back and forth.

I will say - the trombone case is HUGE compared to a trumpet. Like double the size. Is a baritone even bigger? I am jealous of the kids who play trumpet (or flute or clarinet). It's quite an effort to lug around the trombone.

I'm surprised the teacher is making recommendations though. At that age it's just about enjoying playing and the kid should pick whatever they are interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this was an old thread but since it was bumped...

My DS was interested in trombone when he was little (like K), then didn't say anything about it until he came home in 4th grade and announced he was playing trombone in 5th. I thought we'd hear a lot of dying cow noises but he picked it up quickly and loves it. I too was worried about his size and reaching the notes but he's done fine with that. I will say his elementary school band had like 18 trombones so there's definitely competition... though there has been attrition in middle school.

He actually picked up a trumpet at some point and was able to play pretty quickly so I think it's not hard to go back and forth.

I will say - the trombone case is HUGE compared to a trumpet. Like double the size. Is a baritone even bigger? I am jealous of the kids who play trumpet (or flute or clarinet). It's quite an effort to lug around the trombone.

I'm surprised the teacher is making recommendations though. At that age it's just about enjoying playing and the kid should pick whatever they are interested in.

We must be in a trombone desert! But that suits our DC just fine. It was also recommended to them in MS and DC fell in love. Our DC was (self) guilted into clarinet (because school offered one for 'free' use) so learned that first. Found a trombone at a pawn shop, earned the money doing extra chores/jobs, then haggled for the price themselves. Taught themselves (during COVID, no less). And, on Saturday, we will go watch them perform at All-District (as a sophomore!).

Sorry, trumpeteers, trombone players are the ones who really kick brass! (and are waaaay cooler).

~ a super proud, non-musical Mom with a house full of music-making kids with all kinds of instruments (wind, string & percussion)