Page 14 - 2017-BMR-December

The Pocket Guide to Teaching Trombone

SLURRING

The trombone is the only wind instrument without a true slur.
• A light tongue must be used to dent the airflow when the slide moves. If the tongue is too hard, slurring will not
occur. If the tongue is too soft, glissandos may occur.
SYLLABLES FOR SLURRING range between one rolled “r” and “du”,
• The slide action must be extremely fast between slide positions since there is less time between tones.
• Breath support!
In general, do not use a natural slur. A light tongue is smoother, avoids the pop, and is more consistent. It is also easier to teach.

ALTERNATE POSITIONS
• Alternate positions should be taught early so that players don’t cling to familiar positions.
• The more notes played with the slide going in one direction, the better.
• Half steps should be played with adjacent positions whenever possible.
• Alternate positions have a slightly inferior quality of sound and should not be used for “prominent” notes.

Memorize this:
4th line “F” also in 6th
Top of the staff “Bb”, also in short 5th
1st ledger line “D”, also in long 4th

VIBRATO

• Jaw Vibrato is the best vibrato to use for classical solo purposes. (Practice chewing gum.) Use only on long notes;
start slow to fast. Do not use too much. Listen to professionals.
• Slide Vibrato is used in the jazz idiom. In a jazz band soli trombone section, only the lead player should use it.
• A gut or air vibrato should never be used! (Do not “mess” with a brass player’s air support.)

Dr. Deb Scott is the professor of trombone and bass trombone at
MULTIPLE TONGUING Stephen F. Austin State University. She is also the director of SFA’s
• Multiple tonguing should be taught early. It takes a while first jazz band, The Swingin’ Axes. She is active as a performer and
to develop this tongue twister. Students who start early have clinician in both classical and jazz styles. She graduated with top honors
from Texas Tech University and received the top award for her master’s
more success. degree at the University of Northern Colorado. She went on to be the
• Double Tonguing first woman to complete the doctorate in trombone performance from
the University of North Texas. Scott’s solo CD, Playing Favorites, was
TU KU for regular double tonguing.
released in 2017 by Navona Records. She has been a featured soloist
DU GU for legato double tonguing. in many recitals and concerts with bands and orchestras in Texas and
• Triple Tonguing has been described as “one of the premiere soloists for her instrument”
(Cinemusical 2017). In 2016, she was a featured soloist and faculty
TU TU KU for regular triple tonguing. (Not TU KU TU)
member in Santa Fe, Argentina at Trombonanza. She has been featured
DU DU GU for legato double tonguing. (Not DU GU DU) in radio broadcasts throughout North America. At the International
• Learn slowly and gradually increase speed. Trombone Festival, she and the SFA trombone choir were described
as playing a “fantastic performance…of some of the most challenging
• Walk around practicing saying the syllables. works in the trombone choir repertoire” (ITA Journal 2010). Scott has
reviewed solos for the PML list for trombone and bass trombone and
is active as a clinician and performer for All-Region jazz ensembles
and festivals. Over fifteen jazz etudes composed by Dr. Scott have been
accepted as audition material for the state jazz auditions; she has also
selected all-state band audition material for trombone.

Bandmasters Review • December 2017 12 Texas Bandmasters Association