Abstract: A brass wind instrument which changes pitch by varying the tube lengths thereof which includes a slide portion which is substantially half the physical length of a conventional slide. The slide assembly comprises two substantially U-shaped tubes which slidably engage corresponding tubes on a fixed portion of the trombone. The fixed portion of the trombone accommodates a conventional bell and a conventional mouthpiece. The slide assembly includes first and second substantially U-shaped slide tube members each having a pair of adjacent legs that slidably engage the fixed portion of the trombone. The slide assembly is configured such that customary pitch positions are obtainable.

Abstract: An improved clarinet tuning barrel (10). The tuning barrel is a thermally-conductive tubular member having a plurality of grooves (36) in the outer wall (24) over most of its length. The grooves preferably extend around the tubular member, are annular, parallel and most preferably closely and substantially equally spaced. The grooves are preferably quite deep. The tuning barrel is preferably a unitary piece of lightweight aluminum alloy.