Teach Me Trombone
Welcome to "Teach Me Trombone."
This website is designed to provide basic information to help new trombone players get started on the instrument, especially students who are switching over from the trumpet. You will find that it's really easy, and just as fun, if not more. After all, you now will have a really "cool" slide in your hands and will be able to play glissandos! When you see the ABC Cubes appear on the page there will be a link to another page of interest. Just click on these cubes and you will be redirected to that page. The webiste addresses will also be listed should the link malfunction.
On the Trombone Basics page you will find valuable information on assembly, how to hold the instrument, and daily maintenance. There will be video tutorials as well as written information. You will find pictures showing you correct hand positions, and slide positions and there will be a comparison from valves to slide which will be of particular interest for those switching from trumpet to trombone. You will also find useful information on the F Trombone Attachment and how that works.
On the Bass Clef page you will learn how to read music for trombone using the bass clef. You will find sample work sheets to help you learn to read, and you will also find links to fun websites that will have on line games where you can practice reading bass clef.
On the Embouchure page you will learn how to form a successful embouchure to create the trombone sound that you want. There will be beginning exercises to print out and play along with, and solutions to common embouchure problems. In addition you will also find valuable inofrmation on breathing, legato performance, glissandos, and playing with vibrato.
On the Equipment page you will learn about the many types of trombones available and be able to listen to sound samples of the different sizes of trombones. You will also find good information on mouthpieces, mutes, and items for daily maintenance.
On the Music page you will find a list of of trombone method books that will help you to learn to play along with a few sample exercises to print out and get you started. You will find recommended solo literature, and you will also find suggested listening/role models on the trombone. Finally, there is also a subpage with videos of interest to the trombone.
On the about page you will find information about the author of this website and a bibliograhpy of sources that were used to make this website.
Keep on scrolling down this page for interesting information on the history of the trombone!
I hope you enjoy exploring this website and find its information valuable. Good luck and have fun with your trombone!
A Brief History of the Trombone (Sackbutt)
Research has pointed to the introduction of the earliest trombone, known then as the Sackbutt, in Belgium circa 1450. However the earliest examples of the instrument date to circa 1550. The bells of these very early instruments usually came with a number of crooks that helped to lower the pitch, or in some cases even drop the range to the next register. Most of these instruments were used to accompany church music and to substitute for other parts in bands. Trombone parts were not usually written into the scores during this era in time.
In the eighteenth century, trombones became part of the orchestral scene. However, the majority of their performance still took place in a sacred setting, especially as vocal support. The tradition of trombone performance in church music continued far into the nineteeth century. An example of this is in the score of Fanny Mendelsson-Hensel's Oratorio based upon scenes from the bible. Gluck, Gossec, and Mozart all wrote passages for the trombone in their music that appeared to be spiritual, even supernatural.
By the middle of the nineteeth century, the bell size of the trombone became wider to help with the volume demands made for it in performance of band and orchestral music. Composers like Wagner and Berlioz expected the trombones to play loudly to help express emotions of heroism, barbarism, and religious fervor. Richard Strauss's favorite quote represents this new expectation of trombone performance:
By the end of the nineteeth century trombones were a big part of classical and jazz music. In early forms of jazz, the trombone played a less functional role than it does today with scores only calling for one trombone. The traditional jazz band today usually is scored with four trombones.
Here is a traditional style jazz band today that includes four trombones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo-yyWE-28k
