What horn

[claf]

I'm playing in an amateur symphonic-ish orchestra which does 1 session of 4-days rehearsal and 3 concerts per year.
Usually I'm solo trumpet, but this year we already had 2 other trumpets and I've decided to take up the challenge to do it on trombone.
The program this year is around the Olympic Games and Olympians Gods (of course, Olympic Games are in France in 2024, what else could be the program about):
- Saint Saens Bacchanale Dance
- Delibes Marche et Procession de Bacchus
- Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice (act 1 scene 1)
- John Williams Olympic Fanfare & Theme
- Disney's Hercules

Despite my limited trombone skills, MD wants me to play 1st trombone (2nd and 3rd will be played by 2 of her students on euphonium).
Problem is I have only a bass trombone and a 508 straight tenor.

I'm wondering which of these horns I should use (don't tell me to get a trigger medium/large bore tenor or my wife might disapprove). Bass trombone (possibly with a tenor mouthpiece) might be a better fit for blending with the euphoniums, however the high As in John Williams' Olympic Fanfare & Theme will be challenging.

What instrument would you bring if you were in my stead ?

Edit: typo

[ghmerrill]

Both?

[claf]

That's definitely the plan, I'm just looking for arguments regarding sound and blending.

Edit:
If the "get a trigger tenor" is really the best solution, I can still part with a trumpet to put it in my music room.

[ghmerrill]

I didn't get that from the "Which instrument should I bring?" question.

[claf]

Right, should have asked "Which instrument should I use and why?"

[BGuttman]

For 1st trombone I'd use the 0.508" bore horn. You don't need to play any low notes in that rep. Forget about blending with the euphs playing 2nd and 3rd. Wouldn't happen whatever you played.

[vetsurginc]

For 1st trombone I'd use the 0.508" bore horn. You don't need to play any low notes in that rep. Forget about blending with the euphs playing 2nd and 3rd. Wouldn't happen whatever you played.

Tool for the job. Sometimes means two horns at the gig.

Have fun!

[OneTon]

I vote with your wife. 0.508 will work just fine.

[tbdana]

For 1st trombone I'd use the 0.508" bore horn. You don't need to play any low notes in that rep. Forget about blending with the euphs playing 2nd and 3rd. Wouldn't happen whatever you played.

[claf]

That's a relief, I won't have to justify buying another trombone so soon.
Thank you all, now I just need to get my Griego 6.5 AL small bore to make it work.

[johntarr]

That's a relief, I won't have to justify buying another trombone so soon.
Thank you all, now I just need to get my Griego 6.5 AL small bore to make it work.

Adams TB1 Open Flow dual bore tenor

Your profile show this tenor, why not use that?

[claf]

Because I "accidentaly" bought it after ending this thread.
And yes, I'm using it in the aformentioned context and it works like a charm.

[johntarr]

Because I "accidentaly" bought it after ending this thread.
And yes, I'm using it in the aformentioned context and it works like a charm.

I see. Still married?

[MStarke]

Because I "accidentaly" bought it after ending this thread.

That also happens to me from time to time

It becomes easier when
1 You also sell from time to time and talk more about selling than buying
2 you have reached a certain point/passed a certain number of horns where non-trombonists really do not understand anymore if a horn has been there for years already or just arrived recently
3 you have a weird justification for why you need a specific instrument
4 you argue that vintage trombones actually gain value over time so you made a clever investment

[claf]

Because I "accidentaly" bought it after ending this thread.
And yes, I'm using it in the aformentioned context and it works like a charm.

I see. Still married?

She was very supportive.
The recent selling of my piccolo trumpet and my student trumpet helped also.

[JeffBone44]

That's a relief, I won't have to justify buying another trombone so soon.
Thank you all, now I just need to get my Griego 6.5 AL small bore to make it work.

Adams TB1 Open Flow dual bore tenor

Your profile show this tenor, why not use that?

That Adams sounds like a nice horn. Enjoy!

[claf]

It's an awesome horn.
Can't compare much because it's the only large bore I've ever tried, but it strangely feels as free blowing as my bass without the triggers and I don't even feel the valve when in the trigger register.
In other words, it's very close to the bass in terms of air feeling, but it definitely sounds like a tenor.

So far I'm using a Griego 6.5 mouthpiece, I've just ordered a used Rath L5 MD to try a slightly bigger size.

[johntarr]

I see. Still married?

She was very supportive.
The recent selling of my piccolo trumpet and my student trumpet helped also.

Glad to hear that. Enjoy your new trombone, I’ve hear good things about the Adams instruments.

[Macbone1]

Brand choice notwithstanding, for all that 1st book playing you do need the smaller bore. It looks like it could be a tiring program! Pick a horn that will help you get through it to the last note. Such a "pops" oriented program justifies a bore as small as .508, if you choose.

[claf]

I do realize I never told what I ended up using.
For the rehearsals I brought both the large bore and small bore.
During the four days, I progressively used the large bore on everything but Hercules.
Since the small bore was used only on one tune and that the space during concerts was very limited, I ended up using the large bore for everything with the Rath L5 MD mouthpiece.
It was tiring but I made it through the 3 concerts.

[izMadman]

Honestly, I think I'd go with the straight tenor trombone. Sure, the bass trombone might mesh better with the euphoniums, but the straight tenor will give you more wiggle room across all the pieces, especially when you've got those tricky high As in John Williams' Olympic Fanfare & Theme.