My son, who`s a HS freshman and plays the tuba, is thinking about also playing the trombone so that he can play in the HS jazz band.

We have access to a tenor trombone which can either be played with the slide or the valves (Getzen). If using the valves, would the fingering be the same as those for the Bb trumpet?? I haven`t been able to find any instructions for playing the valve trombone.

What would it be like playing a tenor trombone (valve or slide) if you`re used to playing a BBb tuba? If you have any experiences with this, I would appreciate hearing about them!

Thanks for any help!

it would be like playing baritone. So essentially an octave higher than tuba.


i say thought learn slide bone just because its such a hipper sound then a valve bone.

I have played the tuba, trombone, and euphonium. I find that the low range is harder to get, but have sucessfully gotten down to a tuba pedal BBB-flat. The high range can be phenomenal, if you watch your embouchre. Because the tuba has such a relaxed embouchre, there are less problems moving from tuba to trombone than there would be from, say, horn to trumpet. I also find that if you visualize the slide positions as valve combinations, that that helps you to get started. And remember, seven is one inch of the slide sock, three is your index finger on the bell, and two is one inch of inner slide showing.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that everything is an octave up, and all valve combinations apply. Valve trombones are usually a little stuffy.

You shouldn`t think of slide possitions as certain measurements away from anything, because they aren`t the same through the partials. You should get used to each possition in a certain area, as in 3rd is around just short of the bell, but other than that, always tune to the pitch, not to the possition.

Remember, we play a big ole tuning slide, which makes it the easiest instrument to play in tune, and in the same way, the hardest.

I play baritone. which is just like trumpet but an octave higher.and bigger. If you were to get valve trombone than it would be basically the same as a baritone, so you could just get a baritone.

The valve/slide predicament is exactly what I`m trying to get myself into. I`m getting tired of the "usual" slide and so I`m trying to get ahold of a valve trombone that I recently found which can be converted also.

In my opinion though, the slide is more fun and it sounds better.

I just saw a valve trombone on ebay, and i think it looks cool. I`m a freshman in high school. I`m not tired of the trombone (I still want to and probably will play it), but I would like to learn another instrument also. Would you recommend a valve trombone?

I would never recomend a valve trombone.... I`m still not sure why they exist in the first place. I think it was just some guys sitting around saying, "I wonder if we can?". If you want to play valves, you should really just hook your self up with a baritone or euphonium. Much more fun, and usable.

play what you want, valve or slide trombone, but the most important thing, take fune and play with love for music

Valve trombones prod serious buttock. I play one, and while they arent as sweet a sound as a slide, and less flexible to boot, they are wonderful in their own right. also good if you play trumpet as well like me, because they have the same fingering (both my instruments are in Bb)

Hi Piglet,
I agree with curly Dave, the valve Trom is the same fingering as trumpet, and gets the brain working quicker. A great instrument in its own right. You can move quickly, but lack the slide effects of the Slide Trom.

I went from Trumpet/Flugel to Bass Trumpet (which is similar to a Valve Trom) and then onto slide. It was very easy to go to slide from the Bass trumpet, as the brain had the sound in place. It only took a few weeks to get the positions, and Tuba would be a real bonus.

Hi Piglet,
Me again...you have a great instument for your son to do both, so it is easy to learn and go for a good sound. The Tenor Valve Trom is ideal, and fingerings the same. Enjoy it! With the slide, he can get the slide effects as well. Great choice of horn!

Peter and all,

Thanks so much for your replies! My son is having fun experimenting with both the valve and the slide sections. His trumpet-playing friend enjoys playing the trombone with the valves. I was able to find the fingering charts from a link from this site so that was very helpful.

I play trombone/baritone and although I enjoy my slide, I do prefer valves for certain peices. Is it possible to only purchase the valve area that you can change out with the slide (thus saving a good deal of money)???