Trombone / Bass Trombone Support
Play longer, play stronger – the ERGObone trombone support takes the weight, relieves pain, and lets you enjoy the music.
Why the ERGObone?
Well, the reason for using it is actually very simple and obvious. The trombone weighs about 1,3 to 2,8 kilos (3,0 to 6,1 lb). Your left arm weighs about 4 to 5 kg (9 to 11 lb) and you keep both of them up at the same time. All the time when you play.
Of course, you can keep the trombone and the left arm up in a playing position, with continually tensed muscles. However, if you can avoid this, the important question is, is there really any sense in keep on doing it? Would the playing be better in the long run if your upper body could stay more relaxed?
Technical details
In the ERGObone kit you will find the following parts:
The black support tube made of aluminium; a rubber plug in the bottom end and a rubber band in the upper end
The black harness, with genuine leather covered shoulder paddings
A chest part, made of clear plastic plate and black plastic counter part
The plastic clamp, gray or black in colour; plastic padding inside the clamp
The support rod with a spring mechanism and height adjustment
Comfort after short adjusting time
You need some time to readjust your perception about trombone playing. You need a moment to get used to the different feeling of the nearly weightless instrument. You also need to practise how to handle the horn, everything cannot obviously be done exactly the same way as before, but the new way is not any worse, just slightly different. After that period, you will enjoy playing with less tension.
Only after you have learned to play with it you can say whether it is good or not. But like always, it is a lot easier to condemn something new without even trying it out!
That is why we have the 30 days money back guarantee, an easy and safe way to give this new and better way of playing the trombone a chance. Just click the Order button and get your ERGObone, the new playing comfort will surprise you!
The ERGObone helps you to keep a good posture and breathe more freely and efficiently. Would it not be better to lean, or even hang, your left arm on the trombone rather than keep it continually tensed up?
Yes, I’m trying to open your eyes…
If you really focus on the normal playing position, you will realize that it is really not sensible to stay for hours and hours in a static tensed position like this. I mean, really, if you could play without the static tension, why not do it?
Health issues have become important
The way the trombone is played was developed about 500 years ago. They did not understand anything about the ergonomics back then.
Today we do understand the ergonomic challenges involved in this. Furthermore, many present models have become a lot heavier; therefore that old irrational tradition of holding your instrument with the everlasting static tension should be questioned.
What people are saying
– Larry Hutchins“It’s everything I had hoped and more. I can sit erect and therefore get better breath which, in turn, produces a better sound. I can also play longer without a breath. My upper range even seems better. It doesn’t get any better than that. The ability the support give you to move is great.”
Kevin Price“ERGObone has changed my approach to the trombone. I feel relaxed and in control of the instrument, with improved sound, projection and phrasing. ERGObone prevents tension from limiting your musical ability and I recommend it to all trombonists.”
Principal Trombone, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
United Kingdom
Micah Everett“When the ErgoBrass supports were first introduced they looked rather awkward to me, and I wondered why anyone would want to use such devices.
However, after having used the euphonium support for nearly two years and the trombone support for about a year, I am now very much a fan.”
Assistant Professor of Low Brass, University of Louisiana at Monroe,
Principal Trombone Monroe Symphony Orchestra
Assistant Editor (Audio/Video Reviews), ITA Journal
Eliezer Aharoni“I consider the double valve as the worst ergonomic-designed instrument. Having to carry an enormous weight with the left hand, and simultaneously activate both triggers is a recepy to develop pains in one’s shoulder, neck, arm and palm.
The Ergobone is an excellent solution – by almost eliminating the weight factor by shifting it to the stick – it allows long hours of playing with no abusive effort For the player’s hand. I wholeheartedly recommend it, for all trombones and the Euphonium.”
Former bass trombonist, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel
Author of: New Method for the Moderm Bass Trombone (1975) and
The Non-Classic Bass Trombone (2008)
Ben van Dijk“Although I am still in a testing period with the ERGObone I definitely see the benefit of the system. It takes away every tension in your left shoulder, arm and hand and this makes you breathe more freely and has good influence on the embouchure setting, something you start to realize when you take away the system and play without it.
I am not sure I will use the system all the time, but I am sure I will use it when I make long hours of study, specially on my contrabass trombone.”
Basstrombone, Rotterdam Philharmonic Rotterdam Conservatory Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Chris Stearn“ERGObone has provided me with the solution to a major problem- how to hold the contrabass trombone for long periods of time, without stress and tension.
Indeed, so impressive is the device, that I find myself using it on any trombone, when extended periods of playing are required, and as an aid to relaxed playing of the instrument. As with all the best ideas, it is simple, but highly effective.”
Bass/ Contrabass trombonist, The Orchestra of Scottish Opera
Professor, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama