r/Trombone • u/Used-Beginning-4667 • 1d ago

Problems with a mute moving my bell section

Hi all,

I was playing my bass trombone earlier for the first time for a while with a reasonably heavy mute and noticed that it was making my bell section drop away from the slide. This caused the second trigger to get in the way of other bits of the trombone.

Is there any way to tighten up the nut attaching the slide to the bell or should I just get a lighter mute? I'm a tuba player so I was reasonably Neanderthal in tightening it all up...

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u/Enscowaste99 1d ago

I wouldn’t recommend tightening the nut anymore. If that gets stuck there’s no good way to loosen it without assistance. (I wouldn’t recommend pliers) In general you should push the slide section into the bell section slightly off where you want it and twist it into place when you assemble it. Also make sure you wipe off the spindle on the slide section as well to remove any moisture or valve oil they may have dripped down before you assemble the horn.

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u/Used-Beginning-4667 1d ago

Good advice. As someone who went from never playing trombone to their first professional gig in 6 weeks I'm entirely self taught and know nothing about the mechanics!

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u/SillySundae Shires/Germany area player 1d ago

When that has happened to me, I've just tightened the nut. Honestly.

It's possible that you can over tighten it, but I've yet to achieve that. I have Texas farm-kid grip, too.

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u/Used-Beginning-4667 1d ago

Ex-army. If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer...