I have, admittedly, a really great talking piece of a trombone. I have been feeling tempted to change away from it because I feel like my embouchure can't handle certain notes in the valve. My worst note is an Eb below the staff and I feel like I need to spend all my practice time working on that note.

I'm finding that as try and lighten up the horn, my effort to produce difficult notes gets easier. I've tried different lighter mouthpieces, that helps. I got a butler slide, that helped a lot. I tried longer lead pipe, that helps response as well. I can't help but shake the feeling that I have a monster of a trombone and that's what's holding me back.

Butlers C12 and the greenhoe setups played amazing for me, almost like my problem vanishes. It could totally be due to their valves.

In general, I think I want to move to a more modern, lighter setup. I'm a solidly advanced hobbyist, I play in jazz and volunteer Orchestra settings.

I think a shires Q could solve some problems, especially because I could more easily continue modifying to my face. What are some of your thoughts on my situation? Am I crazy for wanting to move away from something technically more professional to something more 'strong intermediate' and less interesting?

A modern bass will absolutely be easier to play. K valves sound very, very good (better than some modern offerings!) but they don't play massively better than the rotors they were supposed to replace.

I'd also check that your valves are aligned, k valves are very picky about that and are often way out.

Thanks Aiden

A little while ago, I was having some difficulty getting my E, Eb, and D to lock in on my F crook. I spent some time with my tuner and some drones. Turns out I was playing them a little flat. I pushed the crook in, and adjusted my right hand. Voila!

I like this advice, thank you! I'll play around with that.

I think you sound great on your 50K3L!

I think a Shires Q will be much easier to play than most Bachs.

Just sayin'

[quote="HawaiiTromboneGuy"]I think you sound great on your 50K3L![/quote]

Thanks Drew! Haha, just saw this.

[quote="GabrielRice"]I think a Shires Q will be much easier to play than most Bachs.

Just sayin'[/quote]

I'm at the point in my career that I'm playing for fun, I don't need to sound symphony glorious, which the Bach does sound very good. I want to have fun and be able to pick it up with just a touch more ease and playability. I will have both horns in my hands in January and am excited to make a more informed decision.