Why is trombone better than trumpet?

[MStarke]

I put this into the tangents category because it may not be totally objective and serious.

But what makes trombone (far far) better than trumpet?

Why is the trombone the superior instrument?

E.g.
- Trombones (including all variations of it and also all instruments that are typically played as double by trombonists) have a far larger variation of range and sound then just varying between trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet and piccolo.
- Trumpets are NEVER in tune. Trombones at least have a theoretical chance to be perfectly in tune
- Playing really high on trumpet is nice, but playing really high on trombone is nicer
- Nobody wants to hear a trumpet play in the low range. A bass/contra playing below the staff is heaven (or hell?)
- Trombones can do that funny thing with the slide...
- Trombone fits in EVERY musical style and era
- Trombone has been a playable and fully chromatic instrument before any other brass instrument
- Trombones can make a nice ensemble just among themselves. Noone really wants to hear a trumpet ensemble
- Trombone has most variation in legato and general "shaping" of notes
- Trombonists don't need anything else to lift their egos, because their instrument is already so much cooler than everything else
- Trombone can be REALLY loud, but also really soft

In case you wonder, any contrary opinion will be deleted by the moderators

[claf]

Reading your post, I don't think trombone is better than trumpet, but trombone players have probably more taste than trumpet players.

But, as a trumpet player, I have to agree that playing trombone is way more fun to me.

[harrisonreed]

It can be difficult to even know what the trumpeters are doing because when you enter a room that one inhabits, everything seems to be revolving around them in the room. Even when you enter, you are lifted up and start revolving around them involuntarily.

[ghmerrill]

- Trumpets are NEVER in tune. Trombones at least have a theoretical chance to be perfectly in tune

This is an extreme (and somewhat inaccurate) view. Not even French horn and saxophone players are ALWAYS out of tune.

[hyperbolica]

- trombone players obviously have a better sense of humor
- trombone players don't always have to play the melody or lead. we can play any part and make it believable.
- we might be obsessed with hardware, but not as badly as trumpet players are
- You can actually listen to trombone without covering your ears
- trombone sound can blend with the human voice, not just unlubricated machinery
- trombone can express a wide range of emotions, not just ***FANFARE***
- trombone player's ego is already broken, that's why we play trombone - trumpet players still have that coming to them
- trombone players get to march in the front row, so we're always done with the parade first
- back pressure from a trombone mouthpiece does not cause brain damage

[BGuttman]

Trumpet players who care can be in tune. There are devices attached to 1st and 3rd valve tuning slides that can be used to adjust pitch. Serious trumpet students learn to use these. Most casual players seem to not care.

[ghmerrill]

- trombone players get to march in the front row, so we're always done with the parade first

Alas, a number of bands are now marching them back in the pack (Texas A&M, Ohio State, etc.) and some are even marching trumpets at the front. I'll grant you that this is another clear sign of the decline of our civilization.

[hyperbolica]

- trombone players get to march in the front row, so we're always done with the parade first

Alas, a number of bands are now marching them back in the pack (Texas A&M, Ohio State, etc.) and some are even marching trumpets at the front. I'll grant you that this is another clear sign of the decline of our civilization.

Sounds like an evil mid-western plot

[MStarke]

Trumpet players who care can be in tune. There are devices attached to 1st and 3rd valve tuning slides that can be used to adjust pitch. Serious trumpet students learn to use these. Most casual players seem to not care.

I am fully aware (my brother is a trumpet pro and I also have some experience with valve instruments), but the vast majority of trumpet players seem to prefer not to care too much and intonation is more a matter of luck than intention

[MStarke]

- trombone players obviously have a better sense of humor
- trombone players don't always have to play the melody or lead. we can play any part and make it believable.
- we might be obsessed with hardware, but not as badly as trumpet players are
- You can actually listen to trombone without covering your ears
- trombone sound can blend with the human voice, not just unlubricated machinery
- trombone can express a wide range of emotions, not just ***FANFARE***
- trombone player's ego is already broken, that's why we play trombone - trumpet players still have that coming to them
- trombone players get to march in the front row, so we're always done with the parade first
- back pressure from a trombone mouthpiece does not cause brain damage

9 more points that are 100% true and require international recognition.