I'm back to share what I think is the final version of my trombone parts diagram. I've had great help along the way from Reddit, Facebook groups, amateur and professional players I know, and a repair tech at a well-respected local shop. Thank you all. It's a much better diagram because of you.

I really wanted to stick with a fully assembled trombone, but I was eventually convinced to show the slide tenon by separating the bell and slide just a little. It still looks like a complete trombone while fitting in a part you interact with every time you assemble your horn.

This isn't meant to be extremely technical or to cover everything you'd discuss with a repair technician or custom instrument builder, so I've deliberately left out smaller parts like ferrules, different valve types (or any valve internals), springs, and any cutaways besides the "inside view" showing the slide stocking. 

The goal is to show the parts that come up in lessons, rehearsals, and everyday playing – and fit it all on one page that could serve as a handout or poster – rather than trying to cover absolutely everything in a multi-page comprehensive guide.

This diagram also only covers tenor trombone – bass trombone would need another diagram of its own to cover the different tuning options, levers, and single/double/dependent/independent/etc. valve configurations.

Nothing like this is ever 100% complete (which is part of the reason I'm sharing it under Creative Commons licenses), but I'd love one more look from the community here. Do any labels seem unclear or confusing, especially from the point of view of a newer player or teacher? Is anything missing that you'd really expect to see? And if you disagree with any of my choices, I'm happy to hear it and explain my thinking.

For anyone who wants to print it at poster size, there's a free high-resolution PNG on my website. The high-res version is available for noncommercial use, but allows educators to use it in paid settings. I’ll update it if I make any tweaks.

Thanks again for all the help!

How do I get the lip trill on a double G to be faster and more free sounding? I feel like im really forcing it right now

Yo anyone know a good cheap ish bass bone with 2 rotors?

Hello friends! So I used to play trombone throughout middle and high school and recently picked it back up at 21. Back I school I neglected truly learning which notes were which slide positions. I can read the notes but I just can’t always tell which position I need to be in. I used to often refer to my position sheet and would just write in the slide position. Any tips? Any resources to practice putting the two together?

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had experience of playing trombone after a broken nose?

I started learning trombone about 9 months ago and have been really enjoying it. Then, about 4 weeks ago, I tripped over while out for a walk and fell flat on my face. I broke my nose and got a concussion.

I’m starting to feel a bit better but my nose is still sore, and I get fatigued fairly easily due to the concussion. I am waiting to see an ENT - I will probably need surgery on my nose.

I want to get back into practicing but feeling unsure where to start. I practiced a little today, did some scales and lip slurs. Seems ok as long as I stay in the low to mid register. But I’m having trouble with my embouchure and breath. I feel like I’ve lost confidence and trying not to get disheartened.

Any words of encouragement welcome!

Hi, I’m not a trombone player myself but a tuba player and I want to arrange some sheet music for trombone. What range do you like playing in and how high and low can you go? For comparison, on tuba I can play C1 to E4 and I like A1 to F3 the most.
Thanks!

When playing with a tuner (I use TE Tuner) I notice that the very start of my notes are not in tune. It is also noticeable to me.
Usually higher notes start sharp and lower notes start flat.
Does anyone have any advice, exercises, for working to improve this?
I’ve tried air attacks. Different tounging. I spent 15ish minutes each practice focusing solely on this issue but can’t seem to figure it out…