How to Begin to Play the Trombone

The trombone has a very sonorous sound. The instrument was assigned to play thrilling countermelodies in the marches of John Philip Sousa. Four or five trombones are used in the low brass section of Big Band jazz ensembles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Music Stands
• Trombone Cases
• Trombone Mouthpieces
• Trombone Slide Oil
• Trombones
• Sheet Music
• The Trombone Album CD

1. Locate a music stand and an area where practice will be uninterrupted and not bother the family.
2. Pretend that you have a small piece of paper on the end of your tongue. Now spit it off. Let the air continue through your lips.
3. Do the same thing again, keeping your lips close together; produce a long "buzz."
4. Take the trombone's mouthpiece by the tube. Put the larger end in the center of your closed lips. Center your lips both vertically and horizontally.
5. Do the "spit-buzz" exercise into the mouthpiece. Sustain the "buzz" for 3 seconds.
6. Assemble the slide and bell portion of the trombone so that the two parts have an L-shaped, 90-degree relationship.
7. Hold the trombone with your left hand bearing most of the weight of the instrument.
8. Place the small end of the mouthpiece into the lead pipe of the slide section with a very light twisting motion.
9. Produce long and steady tones using the "spit-buzz" exercise.

Tips & Warnings

• Center the placement of the lips on the mouthpiece using medium pressure without squeezing.
• Blow a steady stream of air pressure playing medium register notes.
• Maintain good posture. Breathe deeply and support the tone with your diaphragm.
• Avoid hitting or "popping" the mouthpiece with the palm of your hand. Removal is expensive. Do not use pliers to remove it if it gets stuck.
• Keep your cheeks flat. "Puffed cheeks" will hinder the development of a good embouchure.