Trombone Support For Musician

After Kat’s life changed dramatically due to a neurological condition, she explains how a REMAP volunteer engineered a solution to make it easier for her to play her trombone.

Up until September 2021, I was a musician, music teacher and conductor. I fell ill with a neurological condition in September of 2021, and life changed rather dramatically.

I had to give up work, stop driving and was unable to play most of the instruments that I could play prior to falling ill, (I used to play over 20 different instruments). I lost my fine motor skills and became a wheelchair user.

I can still play my trombone, as it is made out of plastic so weighs next to nothing, and uses gross motor skills rather than the fine ones that I no longer have. However, due to weakness in my left arm I had to hold the bell, which dampened the vibrations and affected the tone. I was also finding it difficult to hold the trombone for any length of time.

I searched the Internet for a solution, but could only find supports for traditional brass trombones. Somebody mentioned REMAP on one of the wheelchair Facebook groups that I am in, so I looked at the website and got on touch to see if they could help. John from the Bolton branch came to see me and designed a fabulous solution – a fantastic support to help me hold my plastic trombone – that is helping me enormously!

It will make a huge difference to my comfort whilst playing, as well as improving the sound as I will no longer have to hold the bell and dampen the vibrations. Thank you so much to John and REMAP.

Kat kindly shared a video of the trombone support in action at a gig, and we think it sounds brilliant!

Would a custom solution help you reconnect with a talent or hobby? Let us know.