My father was a superb trombonist. At his funeral last winter, his casket was accompanied out of the chapel by The Acrobat, played live by a quartet holding back their tears. The resultant bum notes on this difficult piece were entirely appropriate and everyone understood. My sister and I decided it should be this piece accompanying him; it was on his music stand, as the last thing he practiced.

Thanos trombone

My inner Trombonist screamed when he dropped the plastic trombone although I knew it was just fine.

Thinking about it, the plastic instruments would also be amazing for high school marching band, especially if you get them in colors to match the school's own colors. Plus in cold parades (Christmas/New year's in North America) the plastic mouthpiece wouldn't freeze to the lips like my 6 1/2 AL did.

most everyone ive seen playing plastic trombones use standard mouthpieces rather than the plastic trombone, it helps a little bit with the overall airy sound

I tend to use my plastic trombone if I'm playing outside in the cold, I also use a metal mouthpiece with it. I think it's great for doing performances that don't necessarily require being extremely precise and in tune. Great review!

If anyone is looking to buy a plastic trombone or trumpet, I highly recommend the pBone/pTrumpet. They are very good quality and produce good sound as long as you use a metal mouthpiece. I have never tried the Tromba brand, but pBone is better than every other plastic instrument I have tested.

The P-Bone plastic Trombones are pretty good, my band teacher has one and it's sounds pretty good tune-wise, but you can hear the difference in sound from a normal brass one.

...Smudged together in ...exquisite harmony... ...Vice-like fingers... ...Yeah! - Nice & springy! Excellent - I enjoy your prose. Thank -you. Tom

I have one of these in blue, but its brand is pBone and it looks identical to that one. I only use it for practice so that I don’t have to carry my brass one back and forth to school, and I agree with everything in this video. I will say that theoretically you and all of your friends could get them in different colors and then switch out the pieces and make rainbow instruments!

6:41 he plays it

you need a plastic contrabass trombone

you should try to switch mouthpieces on each of them to see how they sound

Chinese or Indian brass instruments: imitations of functional instrument plastic trombone/trumpet/tuba: viable instruments only limited by the plastic material very impressed at how the plastic instruments are quite good for their price point. not toy horns at all but weight-saving alternatives to heavier brass and very affordable for a new instrument.

You should do a video on a marching baritone

Thank you Trent. Great review. My 6 year old daughter picked up a P Bone tonight for the first time, and as a woodwind teacher I'm out of my depth, but my gut instinct tells me any plastic instrument can take a bit of a beating, so it was fantastic to have that confirmed. 👍🏻

A single light wipe of coconut oil would do wonders for the fluidity and sound of the slide on that plastic trombone. It would be silent and handle a lot better. I was actually quite surprised in how it sounded.

Even with the friction noise of the slide, it would probably be good for a junior marching band - especially for the inevitable dropping of the instrument on the parade ground.

The "f attachment" horn looked like a knockoff Conn.

You should try out the tiger plastic trombone, it has a proper f attachment, and I have yet to see a real review.

Purple plastic trombone was the name of my metal band in high school

I bought a pBone for my son for beginning band (6th grade) and he just couldn't get it to sound. I had allowed him to take my classic Conn to get started while waiting for the right opportunity to come along. This took about 5 weeks and he had developed a decent sound. Once it arrived, he tried it for several days but, since he started playing on a Conn "real" trombone, he was used to how free a quality instrument plays. After his experience, I really compared them and the pBone felt less resonant and more restrictive. I can make the pBone sound pretty good but, it was too much effort for a beginner student. Add in the less than ideal slide and it was holding him back more than helping. I love the concept of the plastic instruments!! Their greatest strength is they can be abused without concern and are very inexpensive. However, I feel the pBone would be best for students who are a little more seasoned - at least a year or two. They'd be great HS marching band instruments.

I started out in 4th grade with a Yamaha. Ended up with a Bach Bass trombone. This is a good starter instrument and easy maintenance.

I've been learning trombone on a Sam Ash Jean Baptiste pvc bone - if you gently knock down the high spots on the plastic part of the inner slide with say 320 grit wet-dry sandpaper and then hit it with 1000 & 2000 grit while wet and lube & spray it'll be smoother and quieter.

I work in a warehouse with other musicians and considered buying one of these so i dont put my brass horn in harms way. Your review has solidified my decision

I rocked one of these for a few months when I started learning. Definitely glad to be on a real horn now

This was the first kind of trombone I've ever played. Nostalgia coming at me

Superb description. I work with 'bone' players who use the plastic one in precisely the same "risky" situations but keep their Olds with a fluted slide, or their KIngs, serious machine for serious and more secure situations. However, I am also reminded of the old adage that a good musician can make more out of a lousy instrument than a beginner or an impostor can with a $8,000 work of art! Great Video.. Thank you.

Hmm, both trombones sound the same to me. That's very interesting.

Worth noting (and I hope others already have) is that the PBone's slide is carbon fiber, which is why it's sturdy and light enough to be usable. ALSO: Mine wasn't glued strongly enough between the slide "handle" and the outer slide, so it launched off the end when playing. Bad, right? But fixing it was super-easy: just a dab of glue, and it's been good ever since. Much easier and safer to fix than silver-soldering a regular brasswind (which I've done enough over the years).

the plastic trombone sounds better than my beginner bands trombones also they can't play and we have been playing for about 1 school year

Love the comparison videos. Had to admit I laughed when, the moment you dropped the tromba, KZfaq launched into a "Testosterone" advertisement. Unintended comedy?

My take: if some parent has a kid who wants to learn the trombone get him/her one of these and if the kid shows promise then spring for a good one.

Very entertaining review of the Plastic and Cheap trombone. I have a Jean Baptiste Plastic trombone. I used sandpaper on the slide to smooth it out. It worked a little. The slide is smoother. But is still is a plastic horn that has no life in the bell. I like the final moment when you flipped it out of your hand.

I Love all your videos. I find them enjoyable and i appreciate the fact that you make them.

I've thought for some time that my moped doesn't make enough noise. I've decided to have someone sitting on the back giving it absolute full screaming volume on a trombone. This will be a simple yet effective answer.

I think the pbone has its place in practicing because its so light and comfortable to play. That being said it sounds like a trombone but does not resonate like brass. A cheap $200 student model trombone on amazon sounds better. Wont play better but the brass will resonate like brass. People wont be able to tell if you're practicing on a plastic trombone vs a brass one if you're at home or just a hobbyist.

Thanks Trent. I trust your opinions on this stuff more than anybody else I know. Am looking to pick up a cheap trom now that I am not regularly playing out so this kind of thing may be perfect

As always, Trent - your reviews are both a mine of practical info, AND greatly entertaining, too! :))

I played a pbone brand plastic trombone when I started playing the trombone, it served me very well for a couple of years and I managed to get a very decent sound out of it.

Love your analysis and especially how you explain it. Informative and ENTERTAINING! 😎

Bought one and I love it. I used the Yamaha lube on the metal part at the end of the inner tube and been using it for a month. It's sliding pretty smoothy down to the 5th position, It's bit more grippy on the low notes but I don't play them as often so it might have to do with that part not being broken in enough, I dunno. No one has complained about the sound sounding too plastic yet. It's my first trombone so I don't have the reference of playing a brass one but so far so good. I will try a metallic mouth piece next week see if that changes anything ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I have a Pbone and Ptrumpet and am quite happy with the sound and quality...even having previously had a Bach Strad trumpet.... I couldn’t afford it at this point in life..... I also have non plastic cheap instruments....flute and clarinet...and they are decent..... Decent affordable options to get into music, especially if you have kids that change their mind (or like me having to play every instrument)

I don't even play trombone and when he waved it around like that I cringed so hard

i love his sarcasm

That plastic will end up floating in the Pacific Ocean.

Impressed...the plastic one actually has somewhat of a characteristic sound

really enjoy Trent's videos. very educational and amusing, as if he's somehow channeling Alfred Hitchcock!

In my estimation, you were able to play the cheap metal one more in tune than the plastic one. I heard similar tuning issues in a review of the plastic Ptrumpet. We're all aware trombone tuning depends on precisely positioning the slide; nonetheless, I've heard tuning issues on both plastics.

Im not even that big on instruments, and this is somehow enthralling to me. Well done!

I guess I would consider one of those plastic trombone especially if I was in a marching band competition in the middle of a demolition crash derby.

I remember I went to band camp last year and the director was yelling at the blue trombone for not being able to play

I almost had a heart attack at the end because I forgot it was plastic

my band teacher has a one of these

Few years ago got a second hand pBone for street band playing, I also had the misfortune of buying a cheap new “stenberg” or something, both cost $120AUD the slide on the Chinese one was the worst ever, go the plastic, or get a used student one with decent slide, but I did that too, King tempo 306,bell cracked when practicing!

I have a blue pbone. It's actually pretty good overall. I usually use it as a spare

I had one of the Eastman Shires horns, and it played pretty well. My Massachusetts Shires is all kinds of better, but it wasn't a bad horn. There were issues, like the water key just breaking in half, but slide, bell, axial valve, all worked fine. I haven't played a pBone, but the idea wears on me.

You should really try a Pbone Trombone, or those series of instruments, my band teacher has some and they are pretty good, I'd love to see a video like this @Trent Hamilton!

Dropped it, he just threw it on the floor... Im in bits on the floor right now... Made my day... Thanks ;)

I preferred the fuller, soft sound of the plastic one. I have a plastic trumpet and I never play it. I don't know exactly why. Perhaps because it feels "alive". It has a certain rounded color and that's it. It's not that it's ugly though.

I almost would say that the plastic one sounds better than the metal ("metal") one.

You can also use a brass mouthpiece which improves the sound.

I brought an allora. I have to admit I love it, but don't consider a trombone. It's the sound I want when I use a mute. Like using a mute the tuning is different. The slide takes more thought, but it's not great. I like it. Won't replace my trombone. But as a player that uses a microphone anyway, it's fine.

Eternal grinning at the place and context where the word 'slide cream' was used. Also, it seems that the new Tromba Pro Trombones have the entire inner slide made out of brass, in order to address the 'black shavings' issue some people complained about with the first version.

does anyone know if theres a Trent Hamilton for saxophones?

can confirm these are durable. source: played these at football games in the stands which involves getting lots of love taps and various abuses. Plus applied spray paint for weird patterns for fun and also random stickers as the years had gone on. Now it has been resigned to its fate of resting in its case for a long time possibly forever. However I can't bear to part with the piece of shit XD. has a lot of great memories attached to it and it's absurd war camo and stickers. If you are in a highschool band that plays at football games or anything like that, get a pbone. and then feel free to customize. it sounds decent and wont suffer from your customization, within reason. Should provide a lot of great memories.

I never really understood the appeal of “student level” instruments, specifically brass. I bought a getzen tone balanced super deluxe cornet from the late 50s/early 60s for less than most starter instruments go for (about 100$). It’s a solid instrument, in quite good shape. Plastic instruments, however, are totally different, because they behave differently in lower temperatures. I totally get having one of those

Do the tiger plastic trombone please. It is a plastic f attachment trombone

Would u recommend buying this for a low budget band?

To me, the metal trombone sounds a little better, although not much. I think I'd go for a good name used 'bone. In fact I just ordered a Buescher Aristocrat. Probably a late model Selmer. I'll know more when it arrives. I looked on Amazon and found an ABS trombone with carbon fiber slide material and an F attachment for US$200. Might not be a bad toy if I were looking for something new and a little hard to kill. By the way, I've seen the unique qualities of a green clarinet. What special abilities does a black trombone give you?

You should review the new Tige plastic trombone, it sounds way way waay better than this *thing*. The other tiger instruments are also amazing

Is that a clarinet case in the back?

At my school we are told to never buy Chinese instruments because the never last

My band conductor would break your fingers for your slide brace technique

I picked up the tiger the valve sticks easy and the spring on the spit valve is strong and the plastic is cheap so my spit valve has snapped off 2x. The glue on the bell is cheap and came undone. I just stick with the pbone. The only plus is it is a large bore.

At my school we have a blue and red Pbones and I enjoy playing them

I wish I had come to the first day of band much earlier. I would have picked either the trumpet or trombone. Instead, I was stuck with a snare drum which I was very displeased with. Though having the entire freshmen class forced into band didn't do much for motivation either.

I play mainly guitars and keys, but am looking to delve into the brass world - after a little playing around I find I'm much more comfortable with producing a sound on a trombone than a trumpet, but still am not good at all - would you recommend this or something similar as something to play around with?

Does the trombone work as an alarm clock?

your videos stop me from my Eb bass practice x

i can hear a little bit of stuffiness with the plastic, but that's really just a taste thing - its not very significant of a difference. the plastic is surprisingly resonant. what really surprised me were how good plastic trumpets and tubas sound. i dont think theyre an even trade on sound, but a great tradeoff for applications like you're talking about

You sound more advanced on the plastic because it sounds more in tune and any harsh articulations are washed away. You should consider using that plastic bell with a decent metal slide and a plastic mouthpiece. At least that's what I'm considering. Using the plastic slide around kids. Using the plastic bell when using a clip on microphone.

Thanks Trent! Ive always wondered about thd quality of the chinese knock offs. You should try one of those euphoniums from India next.

I much prefer like in other videos you have made, where you post the music on the screen for us to follow along. Wish you had done that here as well. Hope you choose to edit your videos with the music score for us to see as you play along in future Videos.

so if your slide is that loud and ruff then oil it regularly

11:52 to 12:37 had me cracking up for a while!

just talking about dropping a Strad made me cringe much less actually doing it

Seeing him drop the trombone gave me ptsd

So I play trombone for my middle school concert band and when I first heard of a plastic trombone I was like eeww it probably sounds like shite but then I heard it and I said it doesn’t sound as bad as I thought but the only reason I’d buy this is because I would be joining a marching band so I wouldn’t have to worry about killing my beautiful brass trombone if I dropped it or the slide fell so I’d buy it but only for marching band or traveling

While there can be no doubt that the metal trombone is of little no quality the trigger would probably work if you applied valve oil to it . I personally recommend blue juice.

Nobody notice on the plastic trombone he did not to tune it it was all the way down so he was sharp

My brother has a plastic sousphone

I like you're reviews but i have have a horrible peeve about the trumpet,mello, and bari up on the shelf cause doesnt placing them like that cause damage to the bell unless i mean they have a stand under them but overall great reviews

I would just get a trombone from mendini, although I already have a jupiter trombone

Would you recommend this (or if not this brand, any other brand) for someone in the high school marching band? Is it worth it? Are the trombones that are held together by friction a large risk in such an environment? If so, are there any brands that do screw together and are _they_ worth it?

I mean, I'm a student brass instrumentalist (currently playing trombone), and I don't mind a noisy slide. I've only had used instruments, so I've had to get used to it.

I want one. Where does one buy a purple plastic trombone?

ouch that sound of moving the plastic slide

I wonder what 3-d printed pieces and ensemble it to the trombone sounds like.

It might have been injection molded. Not heat-sealed. Those were probably the injection molding marks from the two molds it was shaped upon.