Switching to a Trigger Trombone - Is it an upgrade? 

Trigger trombones are a godsent in fast pieces I’m a bass trombonist (I play on a shires Q series bass bone) and in fast pieces my thumb trigger is something I’m glad I have because alternative ways to play a note can make a very akward rythm with akward slide positions it’s nice to be able to play it in 1 or 2 positions instead of 3+

Screw your band director. The important thing is to know what kind of music you want to play. Most professional trombonists have an array of equipment because they need versatility for whatever type of music they may be asked to play. But not everybody needs that kind of versatility. The first professional trombone I had was a King 2b. At the time, I really didn’t understand what a great horn it was. Later, I purchased a Bach 36 because I thought I needed something bigger and “better”. The Bach 36 is not a better trombone than the King 2b. It might be better for certain music, but it’s not better. At a certain point, I realized that the only music I play on a semi professional basis is salsa. As such, I wanted to try a King silversonic. I got my hands on a King 3b with an F attachment. I had that horn for about 2 weeks before I replaced it with a straight King 3b silversonic. For the most part, I don’t need to utilize the bottom register that often. I play usually in the middle to high register. All the F attachment was to me was xtra weight that I didn’t like. I eventually also got my hands on a King silversonic 2b because that horn made sense for the music I was playing. I got rid of the Bach 36 because I never used it. I have a unique situation where I get away with simple equipment. But I’ve also seen one of the top guys in town never deviate from his peashooter trombone and he sounds amazing on jazz and salsa. Anyways, I guess the main point is to not have others dictate to you what you should play. You should figure that out for yourself…..

Some high schools’s band prefers to have students use straight trombone. I bet the directors say it depends on the band’s booster’s budget that allows them to buy quality trombones that can be passed down to lower class students if that student decides to quit or guaduate and a new trombonist decides to start, they wouldn’t jump into a trigger trombone and use a straight one instead to feel comfortable with the slide alone, then have the time to upgrade. As of writing this comment, I’m one of the few students that plays a trombone that has a trigger and some students might work with only straight trombones while others get their trombone’s with triggers and vice versa because another student that plays the trombone doesn’t have a trigger. But students need to remember that it depends on their preferences

What about an axial valve trombone? don't they feel more similar to a straight trombone than a rotary trombone?

Your videos are great and as I'm thinking on getting started on trombone, they're really helpful to get an idea beforehand. But, would you say it's a good idea to buy a medium bore trombone? Just to kind of have an in between to use for both classical and jazz? So I don't have to buy two. That would be more cost efficient, right? (I have multiple years of trumpet experience, if that matters.) Would love to have an answer!

But like what's the difference is there one or no? Like does one sound better?