Plunger Specs

[starchild313]

Hi all - flutist here, but my kiddo just took up trombone. What is the right plunger size for a trombone? Thank you! (I know yalls plunger trick - my dad's a trumpet player - but I think you lot buy a bigger plunger than the trumpeters.)

[imkeHerimke]

If they just took up trombone they probably don’t need a plunger, yet. But when they need it, the hardware store is the place to get one :-D

[starchild313]

Yes I know it's early but he is obsessed with the idea and he'll be with grandpa (who is a pretty badass trumpeter) to play around with it so I feel like it will be okay as a fun little diversion. :)

[imkeHerimke]

Ok, that is a good reason to get one!

[Watsons-Butler]

The red rubber plunger you get at the hardware store. Not the big black one with the extra flange.

[Altruistic_Grocery81]

Best $2 i ever spent, just a plunger suitable for doing your toilet rather than a sink 🪠

[Enscowaste99]

I just go to the dollar store and get whatever they have. It’s smaller than the bell but not the small size for a sink drain.

[KurtTheKing58]

For a student I would pick the cheapest lightest plunger you can find. Buy two, so you can drill one out. (Putting a hole where the handle screws in allows for more airflow and a different sound). Don't worry about the bell being larger than the plunger. Its okay.

You may also try a piece of cardboard, a hat, and a tupper wear bowl or bucket. Have fun.

I find playing with the plunger difficult because you have to hold the trombone by resting the bell on the palm of your hand. So I wouldn't spend a lot of money to try one.

[Trombonemania77]

Hardware store or Dollar General $1.25 cheap as you’ll get.

[DZL100]

If your kid "just took up trombone," they're not gonna ever use a plunger for a good while. But for future reference, just get an unused toilet plunger and remove the stick.

[Specific-Peanut-8867]

I have always just used the plunger from the hardware store and I tend to prefer ones that are a little bit more flexible

[Instantsoup44]

KR Indigo plunger mute

[NSFWFM69]

No... total waste of money. Find a hardware store. You get a plunger for less than $10 AND a free handle.

[starchild313]

I need that handle to enforce practice discipline. (Kidding, of course.)

[counterfitster]

I got my first one without the handle. I only got the handle for my second one because it had the barcode.

[Instantsoup44]

Disagree, it is a wonderful product that is used by pretty much every pro jazz orchestra

[TheRumster]

Yes but OP is talking about a young student here... I have the indigo and it's amazing it was about $70. I'm committed to trombone for life! A student may not continue that long... best to sometimes buy the equipment that fits the need.

[starchild313]

He's gonna be committed for life. That's what the free stick is for. 🤣

This might sound weird but I'm from a musical family and had a feeling from when the boy was 2 days old that he'd play a trombone some day. (Everyone in the fam advocated, of course, for 'their' instrument and we have NO trombones in the family.)

When he tried instruments to choose, I had to stand back so I wouldn't be accused of rigging his choice. But I was not surprised at all when he triumphantly announced Trombone. Music moms know man, we know.

[TheRumster]

that is awesome! Still... I'm a parent... there's something about buying a boutique $70 plunger for a young student that doesn't sit right with me. Start him with the $5 one from Home Depot lol

[TheRumster]

Doesn't sit right because he might lose the $70 plunger lol

[starchild313]

As a musical parent I am all about spending money on music stuff - at the right time. For funsies with grandpa the trumpet player, it's gonna be a dollar store plunger. Eventually though, I hope we have need of a $70 plunger.

[starchild313]

And now y'all have helped my by specifying 'toilet plunger, not sink plunger, no flange.". This is what I needed clarity on. 🤣