h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As a trombone player of 8 years - I've found the following tips helpful.

When starting out, rent a trombone rather than buy one. Then if you give up, it's not such a pain, and if you carry on, you can buy one later.

During the first couple of years, stick to buying a second hand trombone. These things can be quite expensive, but a second hand student model cost me £150, as opposed to £400 or more for a brand-new one!

If you're under school-leaving age (in the UK), get your county music service to find you a teacher. If you are at school, you probably already know who is your local Brass teacher.

Don't splash out on mutes and other expensive equipment until you start playing in groups that don't have the words "Beginner" or "Intermediate" in the name.

Don't buy a gig bag unless you are *100% sure* you can keep it safe. A hard case is heavier, but miles stronger. Most insurance for instruments won't cover it if it is in a gig bag, even if you insure it seperatly. I have mine insured with a specialist musical instrument insurers, and even *they* won't insure it in a Gig bag.

Errrrr...that's it for now...

Unfortunately playing the trombone or other brass instrument is not an easy option if you have to wear braces.I tried this when I was younger but was unable to blow a good enough raspbery to get any note out of a brass instrument and as such I never learnt a second instrumnet at school.

Although I donow play piano, guitar and Bass.

As a trombone player of *almost* 8 years (I've been playing nearly as long as Lifson) and a former brace wearer I have to say that it *is* possible to play the trombone (or any brass instrument) with a brace. Admittedly, it can be a bit more difficult, and occasionally painful, but like with learning any instrument if you stick at it, it gets easier. There are also mouth-guards available (a sort of miniature version of the thing that boxers wear) which, in addition to being *extremely* trendy and attractive, stops the brace from cutting your mouth whilst playing an instrument. There is also apparently a sort of wax that you can put on the brace for the same purpose.

Another piece of advice: Even if you are planning on teaching yourself to play an instrument (such as a guitar- I don't recommend teaching yourself a brass instrument: at least learn the basics first), learn some basic maintenance of the instrument before you buy- take advice from someone who knows what they're talking about. Instruments can be expensive to buy, and if you aren't able to clean or repair the instrument properly, they can lose their value and playability very quickly.

That's pretty much all I can think of for now. Can't believe me and Lifson both came to the same place with the same intention, but oh well...

Madmaz

You've got some good points there Madmaz! Glad you turned up!

Well I'm not a disatisfied musician I play Guitar and BAss and can dabble on the Piano whenever I have one, just wanted to play brass when I went up to Grammar School and was informed I couldn't

I also play the guitar- badly! I can sort of play 'stairway to heaven' and 'smoke on the water' if I go very very slowly and watch my hands. Of course, if I had a fancy electric guitar instead of a silly old acoustic I'd automatically be able to play better- I'd probably be transformed into Hendrix overnight, except obviously slightly more alive...

Madmaz

Ooh, yes, and another tromone/brass type peripheral that can come in very handy is a practice mute. This is especially true if you live in a flat or in shared housing or don't have a soundproof room at your disposal, and want to stay friends with your neighbours. Other mutes though, like Lifson says, aren't really worth it.