i started trombone three months ago and have gotton pretty good. i use a yamaha tenor trombone. my question is what the heck is that trigger for?? i also play tuba and i know that there are tubas with an extra valve that allows for alternative fingering of certain notes. is that trigger used for the same reason??

The trigger on a trombone is also called an F attatchment. It is a valve that puts the instrument in the key of F, and it is the same as sixth position. It works the same as a fourth valve on most other brass instruments, which when depressed give the same pitch as valves 1 and 3 together (down a fourth). Horn, of course is different, as the fourth valve (double horns only) actually changes the other three valves to an entirely seperate set of tubing so it is actually two complete horns, just using one leadpipe and bell between the two. Some trumpets also have odd valves, like quarter tone valves and such, but for the most part, the fourth valve and the first trigger on a trombone both lower the pitch by a fourth.

Yea, it`s pretty much for those of us tromboners who`re too lazy too go out to 6th and 7th position. And that includes me.

or if you have short arms.

Yea, that too.

can you like explain that again... like so if the bone is in first position and i play the thing with the trigger then the horn will play a C (6th)? or, something like that?

With the slide in first position, the trombone will play in the key of Bb. (BBb, Bb, F, D, F, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F...as you go up the partials). With the slide in first and the trigger depressed, it will play in the key of F. (FF, F, C, F, A, C, Eb, F, G, A, B...as you go up the partials). The same thing happens if you put the slide in sixth position without the trigger, as in first position with the trigger. With a trigger, you can play a Bb scale (starting on middle Bb) completely in first position. (open, trigger, open, trigger, open or trigger, trigger, trigger, open)

sweet