Tuning B-Flat

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AlexBassBone
Posts: 35
Joined: Mar 23, 2023

by AlexBassBone »

Hello! I have a problem, the trombone is all tuned in the whole register, but it is in the first position, the high and low B flat, there are always high pitches :idk:

I play relaxed and etc, but there is no way. I always have to pull out the tuning slide a lot!

Someone else happens? What solution would you implement?

Thaaaaanks! :good:
J
JeffBone44
Posts: 367
Joined: Oct 24, 2022

by JeffBone44 »

It could be a mechanical issue with your playing. Recently I was having a problem with my pitch being very high, and I was also pulling out my tuning slide more than usual. After a lesson to correct my embouchure and mouthpiece placement my intonation improved, and now I can play with the tuning slide in its regular spot.

With some trombones 1st position is too high. Are you playing right up against the bumpers? I never play 1st position all the way in, there's always a little bit of wiggle room in case I need to adjust. This is also so that I can play a slide vibrato in 1st position.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

What trombone and mouthpiece?
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AlexBassBone
Posts: 35
Joined: Mar 23, 2023

by AlexBassBone »

[quote="Burgerbob"]What trombone and mouthpiece?[/quote]

Hi!

I play with Yamaha YBL830, and the mouthpiece is a MST STUDIO (27'7 rim, and 7'7 bore).

Thanks!
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AlexBassBone
Posts: 35
Joined: Mar 23, 2023

by AlexBassBone »

[quote="JeffBone44"]It could be a mechanical issue with your playing. Recently I was having a problem with my pitch being very high, and I was also pulling out my tuning slide more than usual. After a lesson to correct my embouchure and mouthpiece placement my intonation improved, and now I can play with the tuning slide in its regular spot.

With some trombones 1st position is too high. Are you playing right up against the bumpers? I never play 1st position all the way in, there's always a little bit of wiggle room in case I need to adjust. This is also so that I can play a slide vibrato in 1st position.[/quote]

hi!

Yes, I'll review all this, and see if it's placement in general, embouchure, body, etc...

It may also be that today was not a good day hahaha

Thanks!
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

[quote="AlexBassBone"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="209224" time="1683318180" user_id="3131">
What trombone and mouthpiece?[/quote]

Hi!

I play with Yamaha YBL830, and the mouthpiece is a MST STUDIO (27'7 rim, and 7'7 bore).

Thanks!
</QUOTE>

830 is built pretty short. Even with a larger mouthpiece I was pushed out on the tuning slide 25mm or so.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

Push in your tuning slide. Play first position 1.5 inches off the bumpers.
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MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece :-) Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece!
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AlexBassBone
Posts: 35
Joined: Mar 23, 2023

by AlexBassBone »

[quote="MStarke"]Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece :-) Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece![/quote]

Hi Markus!

no way! Of course not, it won't be because of the mouthpiece, always. This has happened to me with this trombone.

Great mouthpiece! :good:
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imsevimse
Posts: 1765
Joined: Apr 29, 2018

by imsevimse » (edited 2023-05-06 11:25 a.m.)

[quote="harrisonreed"]Push in your tuning slide. Play first position 1.5 inches off the bumpers.[/quote]

For me it's easier to play an instrument in tune if Bb is off the bumpers especially since the A varies a lot over here. I just played with an organ tuned A=443 :-) last sunday. In that case Bb is not THAT much off the bumpers. You do what you have to, you just need to adopt. To play the Bb off the bumpers also allows for an intune high D on first in closed position but it only works if A=440 or if I have cut the tuningslide <span class="emoji" title=":wink:">😉</span> . That high d is what settles it for me, because I need that more than the low b in seventh position. I often tune Bb so much off the bumpers to barely have a 7:th pos. My Bb is about 2.5 cm off the bumpers.

Bb off the bumper is also how we teach trombone in Sweden since it is how teachers under education are taught to teach their students. We teach "off the bumper" and how much this really is is for the student to discover.

One reason to play with the tuningslide pushed in is that

In Europe we often play A=442 or even higher.

A=442 is often how pianos are tuned here and is also how classical symphony orchestras tune to the oboe or higher. For us trombones from USA are usually built too flat for this. I had to cut the tuningslide on my Conn 88h when I had those gigs.

To make a long story short I guess your bass is built to be played in A=443 to also satisfy the European market. In US you pull to 440 and then the trombone works world wide.

/Tom
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MStarke
Posts: 1031
Joined: Jan 01, 2019

by MStarke »

[quote="AlexBassBone"]<QUOTE author="MStarke" post_id="209271" time="1683364107" user_id="4208">
Alex, I hope it's not our mouthpiece :-) Would be surprised if that's the case. As Aidan states the trombone might be comparably short.

And thanks a lot for your IG message! Happy that you enjoy the mouthpiece![/quote]

Hi Markus!

no way! Of course not, it won't be because of the mouthpiece, always. This has happened to me with this trombone.

Great mouthpiece! :good:
</QUOTE>

Thanks Alex!
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RTChuck
Posts: 1
Joined: Mar 19, 2025

by RTChuck »

I played a King 3B for many years. After many years of not playing, I resumed playing. After 6 months I have worked up to practicing 10 - 12 hours each week. After regaining some of my college degree ability, I purchased a Bach 42B. I love the horn, however tuning Bb is 10-15 cents flat for me even with tuning slide all the way in. I met w my university instructor. It was not flat for him. High notes for me are fine. He saw no problems w my embochure.

Im playing a Bach 5G mpiece. When I swapped it w. 6 1/2 AL, it is better, but not as high as it should be. My King is in tune w the tuning slide pushed out 1/4 - 1/2 inch out.

I’m at a loss. I’m Looking for ideas. Again, it’s really only the tuning Bb. Thankful for your thoughts