It sets out a two-week program of exercises (specified by day) designed to give a player a basic working knowledge of the alto positions. In terms of just learning how to read, the Slokar method ( Methode Complete de Trombone Alto) is the most deliberate. There are several good books, including methods by Anderson, Harvey, Parow, Slokar, and Sluchin. Using your position chart and a little trial and error, jump right in and work out your solo or excerpt of choice.Ĭ) Methodical approach: Others who want a broader, more methodical approach may want to consider a method book. Below are a few suggestions for getting started:Ī) Position chart: Here is an alto trombone position chart.ī) Immersion approach: Some people like to jump right in. A few suggestions for this initial phase:ģ) Reading-One of the biggest initial obstacles in learning the alto trombone is simply learning to read music with a new set of positions. There are many other great ones as well virtually all of the world’s top tenor trombonists have recorded on alto as well as tenor.Ģ) Initial Familiarity-When I teach alto trombone, I usually recommend that students take a couple of days just to become familiar with the instrument. Finesse, not muscle!Ĭ) Recordings: Listening to recordings of alto trombone will help establish this new sound concept. In my experience, the students who have the hardest time establishing their alto sound are the ones fighting hardest to make the alto sound like a large-bore tenor!ī) Lighter: Going from tenor to alto requires a lighter approach, which should include less articulation, slightly less air, and a generally lighter touch. The sound will be brighter–don’t fight it! Think of the difference between alto and tenor trombone as similar to the difference between trumpet and piccolo trumpet. I hope you have learnt something new.Drawn from my own playing experience, research, and 17 years of full-time college teaching, here are a few suggestions for learning the alto trombone.ġ) Sound Concept-Developing a good sound concept for the alto trombone is important from the beginning.Ī) Brighter: In my opinion, the alto sound should be more trumpet-like than the tenor trombone sound. Please find below trombone notes: Trombone slide positions: 1st position- all the way in 2nd position-between 2.5" & 3" out 3rd position-brace just before the bell 4th position-end of slide just past the bell 5th position-mid way between the bell and stocking 6th position-just before the stockings 7th position-past the stockings just before it falls off Below is a rough guide for where each position is on the trombone, be aware that each trombone is different and will need to use your ears to correctly put the slide in the correct place to play in tune. Therefore I do not recommend playing it using this position. The Note in black the 7 th harmonic and is very flat when played with the slide all the way in. The Harmonic series of a trombone These notes below show the pitches that can be played by not moving the slide but just tightening up and loosing the lips. A high buzz will be created by tight lips and a fast stream of air pushed through them causing a high frequency of vibrations this will result in a produce a high note. This is done by tightening and loosening the tension of your lips, this will create a higher or lower sounding buzz. To get all of the pitches, you need change the Harmonic series. The trombone is the only brass instrument that doesn’t use valves to change the pitch within a harmonic series of notes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |