1 comments about Melodious Etudes for Trombone.

1. I have purchased this series [3] three times over the past 40 years because there just isn't any better way to sharpen your legato tonguing technique and improve your artistry. Did I mention that these etudes just plain sound great when played well. Some things are classics and this book of melodious etudes is surely one of them. By the way, I did not misplace them, I repurchased them [twice] after literally wearing them out.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: This site is for book 2, or etudes 61-90. Compared to Book 1 this is quite challenging and frankly, Book 1 is not for beginners, which is why they now offer a "pre-book 1" edition which I have never seen. Also, it seems really out of balance to play out of this book [#2] without having gone through book 1. I know, because inadvertently when I replaced the books, I received book 2 and book 1 was delayed and I just could not bring myself to play it until I had gone through the etudes in book 1 first.

1 comments about Studies in Legato for Trombone.

1. Fink's Studies in Legato is a must-have for every aspiring trombonist. It's a well chosen selection of various etudes by such luminaries as Panofka and Concone, with guidance from Dr Fink on how the pieces should be played. The reward for careful practice is a sense of satisfaction on hearing yourself play these delightful pieces over and over.

No comments about The Trombone (Yale Musical Instrument Series).

2 comments about Standard of Excellence: Book 1 Trombone (Standard of Excellence Series).

1. This is a very good book for the beginning trombonist. It goes from whole notes to dotted quarter notes pluss alot of the dynamics.



2. The Standard of Excellence Book 1 for the trombone is by far my favorite collection of music for the beginning trombonist. I, myself, just started with the trombone and find this book complete and very well put together. The whole series together makes for a great beginning band as well!

1 comments about The Art of Trombone Playing.

1. It is not by accident that Mr. Edwin Kleinhammer's name appears on many, many symphony musicians' bios. There are plenty of outstanding players, but "teaching" world class artists is another thing. CSO artists Mr. Kleinhammer and the late Mr. Arnold Jacobs and the late Mr. Frank Crisafulli have trained innumerable (global) lower brass artists for well over thirty years each. I have had the pleasure of receiving a group lesson from Mr. Kleinhammer with two others and individual instruction from the late gentleman's gentleman Mr. Frank Crisafulli. What about the book? Mr. Kleinhammer states in his book that he strongly encourages lessons, but at the "worst" the book can self-teach the reader...this is NOT an exaggeration. His highly detailed diagrammed/photo-filled pages on embouchure alone can not be replicated in any other text, they are worth the price of the book by themselves. The (paperback) text includes HIGHLY practical sections on breathing, tone, range, slide technique/legatto (when to use "loo" vs. "doo", etc), intonation control, daily exercises and the cruicial tongue-ing and concurrent air flow (emphasize the "air" get the flappy thing out of the way) mistakes of even advanced amateur players. If you "see" the pros calmy whip through a passage of a rapid Rimsky-Korsakov, for example, without jerking the slide or doing face contortions, etc. you're seeing all of Mr. Kleinhammer's book suggestions put into motion..this level of 1st flight pro does "make it" look easy. Go see a Joe Alessi, an outstanding jazz trombonist as well as the NY Phily first chair, and you'll see what I mean.
   The book contains also contains a concise section on trombone prep. literature including Clarke, Arban, Blazhevich, Carl Fischer, Rochut (Melodious Etudes Book III--a masterpiece of symph. prep.in my opinion), and all the significant classic solos and ensemble pieces.
   Again, Mr. Kleinhammer correctly mentions throughout the book that the student needs models to listen to, pattern after..simply put he's talking about "recordings" (not necessarily concert halls as you will not be able to sufficiently pick out the passage)Get the Ralph Sauer (Audition excerpt)or Christian Lindberg CDs and listen, and listen some more.. The student who gets on this early in the game combined with this book and a decent brass teacher will be far ahead of the game.
   Another suggestion is to tune into the current Boston Symphony bass trombonist's website, Doug Yeo, he provides some fabulous suggestions and advice. (Mr. George Krem, Mr. Yeo's first college played with me in Wheaton, IL. He has served as the Chicago Civic Orchestra, Winnepeg & Victoria Canada and now Cedar Rapids, IA principal. He also has a CD out, taught at the U of Iowa for 12 years after being taught himself by Mr. Keith Brown a legendary Phily Orch. trombonist. Mr. Krem is a very fine teacher and artist). This book, with some good CDs to model after and a decent brass teacher (doesn't have to be "lower" brass teacher frankly) will provide some distinct advantages in accelerating your progress. ...

No comments about Trombone Position Chart.

5 comments about God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics).

1. While James Weldon Johnson's theology is not always orthodox ("God thought and thought" - who could put a new thought in God's mind? unless it was God and, then, God would not be God - this insight compliments of E.V. Hill in his sermon "When Was God At His Best?"), JWJ's poetry and, especially, his Preface displays the harmonious beauty of a long tradition of African American preaching not generally known or appreciated outside of African American circles. If one really wants to become familiar with and, indeed, edified by the godly reaching of E.V. Hill (now deceased), Fred Luter, Tony Evans, Robert Smith and a host of unknowns who preach with substance and, sometimes, in the "whoop"ing style, then, Weldon's book is a must read. May Christianity never lose what God has brought forth in a substantial style which stirs heart, mind and soul.



2. My soul is galvanized everytime I hear or read James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones. I have directed student perfomances of this deeply moving African American text. "The Crucifixion," for example, tells the story of how Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior,my Friend, suffered death on an old cross so that I might have an opportunity to be more sensitive to the hurting. The "Prodigal Son" urges me to experience and, thus understand, that I must live with a redemptive consiousness. And, of course, I am compelled to understand, through the poem "Go Down Death" this reality: God does call His children home. Those who have suffered "long in the vineyard" are deserving of rest. For sure, God's Trombones is a poetic tribute to an experience that is Christian and African American. I thank James Welson Johnson for creating this poetic masterpiece. Let's continue to read it; let's perform it. Let's live within the context of the spirituality of the voice. Amen!



3. The title says it all: "Trombones" represents the preservation of the history of the community backbone of prayer, persistence, and strength. The poetry gives some insight to the suffering of the elders, and speaks to the continuing fight for the full parity of the AfricanAmerican community in a country that was literally built upon the bleeding, sweaty backs of my ancestors.
   
   Amazon is to be commended for participating in this historical preservation of a works that I would recommend as mandatory reading for generations to come - regardless of religion, gender, or color.



4. My dad teaches Sunday School and was looking for this book to incorporate into his lesson plans. I found it here at Amazon and fell in love with this book. Absolutely wonderful to read and very profound. Exceptional!



5. God's Trombones is a beautiful expression of the themes of the Southern black experience and God's constant, personal presence in their lives. The themes he chose were expressed in sermons and in Gospel music. For the black person, God was aware of their struggles, would bring them out of "Egypt" (slavery) and would eventually take them to their home "over Jordan". Death would be a gentle freedom for those who were weary (as in "Go down Death").
   
   Johnson's introduction explains that he was trying to express the fervant Southern black preacher with his pauses and emphases. He has done both well.
   
   This is a book to be read for its beauty and inspiration, but more important, it shows (theological inaccuracies aside) how an oppressed people trusted in God's gentle hand, and God's constant love for even the "least" of his Creation.
   
   I recommend this for historians, teachers, lovers of poetry, and for its spiritual content, anyone seeking inspiration.

3 comments about Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 Plus DVD: Trombone.

1. this book is really good for everyone who wants to know the basics first and be one step furter to mastering the trombone



2. If you want to start the trombone, get this book! This tells you notes, positions, reading the staff, everything! I don't think I could of learned how to play the trombone if I did not have this book. If you want to learn, get this book!
   10 out of 5!!!



3. this is really a band book but it works fine for teach-yourself instructions or with an instructor.
   I'm afraid it leans heavily on the "marching band" keys, but it gets you playing quickly with a good range of notes. The songs are on CD with and without the melody line which is very helpful for tempo.
   I have the first two for trombone (to learn) and the first one for flute (to teach) and I'm very pleased with them.

5 comments about Arban's: Famous Method for Trombone.

1. Jean Baptiste Arban has created an astounding trombone and baritone (bass clef) reference for students of any music level. Whether it is used to supplement private lessons, teach remedial music to a latecoming student, or advance an aspiring young musician, it is direct and thorough. Arban covers everything from the correct way to hold the instrument in the first few pages, to the final section of the book containing etudes on the professional level. The books is divided such that the student skips around to reach various aspects of practicing; there is no ploughing through a gigantic volume page by page.



2. "The Art of Trombone Playing" by Edward Kleinhammer is much better.
   
   This one is over 70 years old, (Back to the Future?) pages and pages of old sheet music and no explanitory text.
   
   UPDATE/EDIT
   Don't Shoot Me - I'm just telling the truth...



3. It is an excellent book from start to finish. I would recommend it to any trombone player from beginner to professional. All the approaches were very understandable and well explained. It will help take your talent to new heights that you never expected. It is an extraordinary book to help you with every aspect of your playing.



4. ...is to do what my teacher had me do years ago, and get the _trumpet book. Unless it's changed in recent years this is just the trumpet book transposed down an octave, with some stuff missing. To get the whole book you can buy the trumpet book and just transpose (you add two flats to the key signature and read it as if it was in tenor clef) -- that in itself is great musical training.
   
   Even if you go the "wimpy" route (:-), though, it's one of the basic books, though it's _essential_ to counterbalance it with Rochut or something similar. Also, Kopprasch offers a much less bulky alternative.



5. Look, if you play the trombone and not have Arbans, shame on you. Get it NOW. It will improve your playing "toot sweet". You gotta practice though. I know sometimes practicing can be a drag but trust me, this book you'll need. I still have mine from 30 years ago from high school. I'm still using it.

5 comments about Melodious Etudes for Trombone Book 1.

1. This book teaches great technique, particular tonguing, but my favorite part of the book is the studies sound great when played correctly and it is not monotonous like other books.



2. We received the book in excellent condition in an expected timeframe. Thanks for the wonderful service. Janis Pressley



3. Few lesson books carry this much use! I've been using this to help students for quite some time. A great buy.



4. It's very simple. If you don't own this and you play trombone, buy it now. This is THE standard. Nearly every trombone instructor in the world will recommend this unless they're trying to be contradictory. They recommend it for a reason - it's great!
   
   Now, a tip I learned from Robert Lindahl at Central Michigan University. Play 3 at a time and rotate one off every week or two. Play one as written (usually the newest one), one down an octave, and the third in tenor clef (with the obvious key signature/accidental modifications). This will work all of your range, tenor clef reading, and be something interesting to play at the same time.



5. This is a required book for auditions at colleges and universities. The book arrived quickly and in great shape for our son to start readying himself for his college auditions