In the event that you've ever treated with a scratchy, sluggish slide throughout a rehearsal, you understand how much the bottle of slide o mix trombone lubricant can change your entire day. Generally there is honestly nothing at all worse than trying to nail a quick passage and experiencing your outer slide hitch or move because the lubrication simply isn't holding up. I've tried pretty much everything on the market over the years, from the old-school creams to the newer synthetic sprays, but I keep coming back to the classic Slide-O-Mix set up.
It's among those things where once you find a system that will works for your particular horn, you tend to stick with it. It's not really just about producing the slide shift; it's about that will "weightless" feeling exactly where you barely have got to think about the physical motion at all.
The Classic Two-Bottle Setup
A lot of people first encounter slide o mix trombone lubricant in the two-bottle form. It could be a little intimidating in the beginning if you're used to just squirt-and-go oils, but the science behind it is actually quite cool. You possess a larger bottle and a smaller sized bottle, and they will work together to produce an emulsion that stays on the particular slide for the long time.
The larger bottle will be usually the bottom lubrication, while the smaller sized one acts as a kind of "clinger" that will helps everything remain smooth. What's excellent about this strategy is that it's customizable. If you experience like your slide is a bit heavy, you can adapt the ratio. When it's obtaining a bit dry, a fast air of water usually brings it best back to existence.
I've discovered that this two-bottle program is especially good for older horns or slides that might have a several "character" spots. It fills in the particular microscopic gaps better than a thin oil does, offering you a much even more consistent feel throughout the entire entire pull.
Is usually Rapid Comfort Actually Better?
A couple of years back, they released the "Rapid Comfort" version, which is basically an all-in-one solution. It's certainly more convenient, especially when you're inside a pit orchestra or perhaps a jazz music band where you don't have time for you to clutter around with 2 different bottles in between sets.
In my experience, Rapid Comfort is perfect for students or for those who just want the reliable, fast motion without the "chemistry experiment" vibe of the particular original. However, if you're a total perfectionist about your slide feel, you might still prefer the original two-bottle slide o mix trombone kit. There's just something about that manual mix that feels a bit more tailored to the individual instrument.
That said, I keep the bottle of Rapid Comfort in our travel case since it's impossible in order to spill and will take two seconds to utilize. It's a solid compromise that doesn't sacrifice much within terms of overall performance.
Getting the particular Application Just Best
One mistake I see individuals make all the time is over-lubricating. With slide o mix trombone products, just a little will go a long way. If you put as well much on, the particular slide actually begins to feel slow or "syrupy. " You want simply enough to create a slim, even film.
Here's could generally do it: 1. Start with a clean slide. This is actually the most important part. If you've got old gunk on there, the brand new lube won't work ideal. 2. Apply the few drops of the large bottle towards the stockings (the slightly wider part at the end of the inner slides). 3. Work the slide back and forth to distribute it out. four. Add a small drop of the particular small bottle in order to each side. five. Work it within again. 6. Provide it an extremely gentle mist of unadulterated water.
The particular water is the particular "activator. " Without having it, the slide will feel okay, but once you add that mist, it all of a sudden feels like it's suspended on air. In the event that the slide begins to slow down later in the particular day, don't include more lubricant—just give it another aerosol of water.
How Does It Compare to the particular Competition?
We can't discuss slide o mix trombone lubricant without mentioning the "purple bottle" (Yamaha) or things like Trombotine. For a long period, Yamaha's artificial oil was the particular big rival, plus honestly, it's a great product as well. It's very quick and extremely thin.
However, the cause I often low fat toward Slide-O-Mix is the longevity. I feel like I have to re-apply slim oils far more usually. With a good using Slide-O-Mix, I actually can usually obtain through a lengthy rehearsal or the two-hour gig without having having to touch it. It furthermore seems to deal with temperature changes a bit better. If you're playing an outside gig in the humidity, some lubricants can get "gummy, " but Slide-O-Mix stays pretty stable.
Trombotine is a whole different beast—it's a cream, plus while it's popular for its strength, it's a lot more work in order to apply correctly. For that modern player who wants speed and convenience, Slide-O-Mix sits correct in that lovely spot.
Precisely why Maintenance Matters
You could have the best slide o mix trombone lubrication in the world, but if your inner photo slides aren't clean, you're fighting a shedding battle. I've noticed that many people blame the lubricant when the real culprit is "black gunk" buildup. This will be basically a mix of old oil, moisture, and small particles of metal wear.
Every single week or two, I like to take a cleaning pole using a bit of cheesecloth and also wipe out the inside from the outer slide tubes. You'd end up being surprised at exactly how much dirt covers in there. As soon as that's clean, using your Slide-O-Mix feels like you've bought a brand-new instrument.
Also, the quick tip: use distilled water within your spray bottle. Tap water provides minerals in this that can build up on your slide as time passes, making this feel scratchy. It costs just like a buck for an one gallon at the grocery store, also it can make a huge distinction in how long your lubrication will last.
Several Final Thoughts on the Feel
In the end of the day, slide feel is extremely subjective. Some guys like a slide which is so fast it feels like it'll fall off in case they let go. Others like a little bit of "resistance" so they can feel exactly where the positions are.
The beauty of making use of slide o mix trombone lubricant is that you can kind of dial that in. If you want this faster, use more water and much less of the little bottle. If you want it to feel bigger, use a bit more from the large container.
It's been a staple inside my brass handbag for a long time for a reason. It's dependable, it doesn't scent weird (unlike a few of the old-school creams), and it gives me the confidence to enjoy without having to worry about our equipment failing me personally in the middle of a single.
In case you haven't attempted it yet, or if you've been struggling with an alternative brand, it's worthy of picking up the particular small two-bottle collection. It might get you a day or two to obtain the "recipe" exactly how you like this, but once you find that sweet spot, you'll probably never desire to go back again to whatever else. Just remember: keep it clean, use unadulterated water, and don't overdo it. Your own slide (and your own arm) will give thanks to you.