Ms. Snyder's Band & Orchestra
Give your best to gain success and accept that mistakes teach us
Trombone
The low brass is like the wheel of the band. Without a trombone, baritone and tuba a band is like a car without a wheel or a person with no heart. Which means you can't drive or live. That's pretty serious. Baritone is like another wheel. Both Baritone and Tuba are low foundation instruments of the band.
Assembly
The trombone is comprised of three pieces: bell, body and slide. When assembling, always tip in the mouthpiece to avoid damaging the rim of instrument & mouthpiece.
Buzz
To start with a nice tone, say "emm". Then "buzz" Make sure your lips are even together and against your teeth. Clear notes go along with matching the proper pitch. Don't puff your cheeks. Breathe in deep from the diaphragm to support the note you play.
Posture
Make sure you are sitting up on the edge of the chair, feet flat on the floor, head in a normal resting position, and bring the instrument to you. Buzz your lips before bringing the mouthpiece to you. Keep the corners of your mouth pulled back. Elbows should be relaxed and slightly away from your body. The trombone sounds best when the slide is just under the music stand and not sagging downward.
Cleaning Care
Slide-O-Mix, Mouthpiece, snake
Empty condensation EVERY time you use your tuba or baritone
Put a brush through the mouthpiece regularly
Wipe down the instrument with a microfiber cloth and be aware of dents and how they may be caused. The black bottle can be used alone or the 2 red bottles need to be used together.
Best Mouthpieces for Trombone
A quality mouthpiece makes it easier to play and sounds better.
Bach 6 1/2 AL - 11C, Bach 5G and Schilke 58 or 51 for those who need larger
Others: Result matters more than size
Bach 6 1/2 AL, Yamaha 48 - smaller
Bach 5G, Schilke 51D, Yamaha 51D- standard
Bach 4G, Denis Wick 4AL, Yamaha52,53 - larger - Denis Wick SM 3 - extra large
Trombone Websites
Trombone DSO Kids is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's site. It's mission is to provide attractive, child-friendly resources that introduce symphonic music, the orchestra and its instruments, and to encourage both adults and young people to explore the symphony orchestra.
​
Brass Acoustics Trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba. this page explains the physics of brass instruments. For a background on acoustics click on Basics.
Trombone Journal Trombone Articles for Beginners and Advanced Trombone students
Trombone Repertoire Trombone Music Advanced Level
Listen to Trombonists
Tommy Dorsey
Glenn Miller
Jim Morrison
Wycliffe Gordon