Tune an Independent Double Valve Bass Trombone

Benjamin Yates, Trombone
BASS TROMBONE INTONATION

Setting up the tuning slides

The bass trombone most students work with has three tuning slides. The slide lengths dictate the valve intonation settings.

Main Tuning
Start with the main tuning slide, usually in the center of the three with the largest diameter tubing. We start here because this slide is always used, no matter the valve combination used.
Push the main tuning slide out about a half inch
Play a Bb in first position, hand slide all the way in, with a visual tuner
o When playing tuning notes, always play at mf~
o Support tuning notes with a full inhalation
o Always articulate the note, let it stabilize, then check the tuner
If the tuner indicates a sharp note, pull the main slide out
If the tuner indicates a flat note, push the main slide in

F Valve Tuning
Next, move to the F tuning slide. This slide is usually longer, connected to the thumb trigger, and on the back side of the valve section.
Push the F tuning slide out about a half inch
Play a F in first position, with the hand slide out just enough to almost see the inner slide. This adjustment of the hand slide is important. Tenor and Bass Trombonists make this adjustment throughout the F tuning slide second partial to play in tune.
o When playing tuning notes, always play at mf~
o Support tuning notes with a full inhalation
o Always articulate the note, let it stabilize, then check the tuner
If the tuner indicates a sharp note, pull the F slide out
If the tuner indicates a flat note, push the F slide in
It will take time for bass trombonists to get used to the adjustment in the second partial, but it will allow more flexibility when playing in the third partial later and allow for the D combination to be in tune.

Gb Valve Tuning
Next, move to the Gb tuning slide. This slide is usually shorter, connected to the side trigger, and on the front side of the valve section.
Push the Gb tuning slide out about a half inch
Play a Gb in first position, with the hand slide out just a little (1 cm or so)
o When playing tuning notes, always play at mf~
o Support tuning notes with a full inhalation
o Always articulate the note, let it stabilize, then check the tuner
If the tuner indicates a sharp note, pull the Gb slide out
If the tuner indicates a flat note, push the Gb slide in

 
D Combination Tuning
The whole point of having the second valve in the long run is to have your fully chromatic partial between second and first partials. The combination of the two valves should be close to in tune at this point.
Play a D in first position, the hand slide should be pretty much all the way in.
o When playing tuning notes, always play at mf~
o Support tuning notes with a full inhalation
o Always articulate the note, let it stabilize, then check the tuner
If the tuner indicates the D is out of tune, check your hand slide, it may need to go out some. In some trombones, you may need to push the F slide out to get your D in tune, and then play with the F side in further on the hand slide.

A few things to remember:
Even if the valves are in tune, a player can be out of tune. Issues to watch for:
o Chop manipulation (sharp = tight, flat = loose)
o Air stream manipulation (sharp = too fast and compact, flat = too slow and wide)
o The hand slide will always need to be adjusted throughout partials. There are infinite numbers of slide positions on trombone, not just 7.
o Each player may be different, so if sharing an instrument, be ready to remember your best slide position and move things back when needed.

Tuners should only be used during warmups. During rehearsals and concerts, trust your ear and your fellow musicians. To have a better understanding of an individual players intonation and tuning on a horn, use a drone and play fundamental exercises to find slide placement.