Trombones 2016

[noahsigs]

Wow... So it seems Crown, Cadets, Devils and Bluecoats are using trombones this year (Unconfirmed, also rumors of Bass Trombones in Bloo and almost confirmed in The Cadets). That's... A little off-putting, I'm not gonna lie. I liked Scheherazade and there have been some nice solos, but is the whole top 5 using them going over the edge? We know it doesn't always work.

[Kamarag]

Wow... So it seems Crown, Cadets, Devils and Bluecoats are using trombones this year (Unconfirmed, also rumors of Bass Trombones in Bloo and almost confirmed in The Cadets). That's... A little off-putting, I'm not gonna lie. I liked Scheherazade and there have been some nice solos, but is the whole top 5 using them going over the edge? We know it doesn't always work.

Madison's use of the small trombone ensemble was outstanding. I'm fairly certain that Devils, Crown and Bluecoats will all do something even better.

[BRASSO]

Wow... So it seems Crown, Cadets, Devils and Bluecoats are using trombones this year (Unconfirmed, also rumors of Bass Trombones in Bloo and almost confirmed in The Cadets). That's... A little off-putting, I'm not gonna lie. I liked Scheherazade and there have been some nice solos, but is the whole top 5 using them going over the edge? We know it doesn't always work.

No.. Drum & Bugle Corps are not going " over the edge " if a lot of the units are increasingly using conventional Marching Band instruments. As a matter of fact, if, in a few years from now, most of these DCI units utilize trombones, saxophones, concert french horns, flutes, clarinets, etc it will, still be" Drum & Bugle Corps" and not" Marching Bands" ( from what we're being told from most who got their music start in High School Marching Band, anyway. )

Edited April 25, 2016 by BRASSO

[yogitom]

No.. Drum & Bugle Corps are not going " over the edge " if a lot of the units are increasingly using conventional Marching Band instruments. As a matter of fact, if, in a few years from now, most of these DCI units utilize trombones, saxophones, concert french horns, flutes, clarinets, etc it will, still be" Drum & Bugle Corps" and not" Marching Bands" ( from what we're being told from most who got their music start in High School Marching Band, anyway. )

No. It WILL NOT be Drum and Bugle Corps IMHO, if they introduce reed instruments. It's bad enough now that they allow stringed instruments (although not used often) and keyboards.

[drangin]

Trombones are puny-sounding instruments compared to baritones, and as solo instruments they can't be used without microphones. That's what I've noticed. It's just as well they can't be used while marching because the sound wouldn't carry across the field. If a solo instrument has to be amplified to be heard, then what is the argument for keeping woodwinds out of drum corps?

Edited April 25, 2016 by drangin

[xandandl]

I like the platinum finish on the Bluecoats trombones as it unites with the rest of the hornline's visual image.

Edited April 25, 2016 by xandandl

[Tim K]

I am not a fan of trombones in drum corps and no doubt if I look back at past posts, while I did not think it was the end of the world as we know it, I am sure I did not praise it as a new day in drum corps. However, in doses, trombones and French horns for that matter, do work well. I liked Santa Clara and Madison's use of trombones in 2014 and I liked Cadets use of French horns both in 2014 and 2015. Since we see very little use by designers and arrangers, my guess they are only used for impact and special effect, and will only be used for these reasons. We may see more corps using trombones, but I do not think we'll see them used all that differently from how they are used now.

[C.Holland]

Trombones are puny-sounding instruments compared to baritones, and as solo instruments they can't be used without microphones. That's what I've noticed. It's just as well they can't be used while marching because the sound wouldn't carry across the field. If a solo instrument has to be amplified to be heard, then what is the argument for keeping woodwinds out of drum corps?

Trombones have more punch than baritones and create more volume. But bari's are often used in marching band instead because the space they occupy is less than the trombone. Some bands make all their trombones switch for that reason.

Making bari's sound like bone parts for jazz is just tough. They all sound woofy or fluffy. They don't have that bite you need for Kenton's or Leavy's music.

They mic solos because they mic all the soloists these days. Its just easier to project without changing your timbre that way.

[Kamarag]

Trombones have more punch than baritones and create more volume. But bari's are often used in marching band instead because the space they occupy is less than the trombone. Some bands make all their trombones switch for that reason.

Absolutely. In addition, baritones tend to have a darker sound and blend much easier and more smoothly with the other brass choirs. Factoring in the it's much easier to play faster, more technical passages accurately on baritones than it is on trombones, it's easy to see why baritones are the instrument of choice. That said, using trombones for certain styles of music, and certain effects is fun.

[CrownBariDad]

Trombones have more punch than baritones and create more volume. But bari's are often used in marching band instead because the space they occupy is less than the trombone. Some bands make all their trombones switch for that reason.

Making bari's sound like bone parts for jazz is just tough. They all sound woofy or fluffy. They don't have that bite you need for Kenton's or Leavy's music.

They mic solos because they mic all the soloists these days. Its just easier to project without changing your timbre that way.

Yep -- totally agree! (Full disclosure: I play trombone and have played concert baritone in the past.)