Choose the best marching trombone by looking for an instrument that is student level and has a closed wrap if it has an F-attachment. You might also consider a valve trombone and looking for an instrument with warranty. The biggest concern for parents buying a marching trombone for their children is the durability. Student-level instruments generally have more solid construction well-suited for use in a marching band. A closed wrap is vital on F-attachment trombones because it makes the instrument more compact. Warranty can help ensure that the instrument can be repaired easily and inexpensively.
Student-level instruments are the best choice for players buying a marching trombone because they are usually built in a more durable fashion. Players should look at the bore size to find a student trombone, because it is a good indicator of the instrument’s level. A bore size of 0.481 inches (1.22 cm) is usually the size for a student instrument. These are suitable for beginners because the smaller bore increases resistance and makes it easier to produce an even note. This also can help during a march because the player may be slightly out of breath during play.
Players choosing a trombone with an F-attachment should get one with a closed wrap. F-attachments enable players to lower the pitch of the instrument by activating a valve with their finger. Many players choose an F-attachment trombone because of the increased musical range. A marching trombone should always have a closed wrap, meaning that the additional tubing is contained within the bell section. Open-wraps make the instrument larger and therefore more prone to damage.
Some types of marching trombone feature valves to change the note instead of a slide. These models should be considered by marching band players because they are more compact. This decreases the likelihood of damage being done to the instrument during transit and makes it easier to carry. The main negative point is that valve trombones are operated in a different way to most trombones, more like the operation of a trumpet. Players just learning to play the trombone should ideally get an instrument with a slide for this reason.
A marching trombone with a warranty is preferable to one without a warranty. This is because marching band players are more likely to need repairs on their instruments. Buying a trombone from a reputable manufacturer makes it more likely that a warranty will be included. The warranty removes the cost of repairs and makes it more likely that the instrument can be repaired easily.