- Practicing lip slurs across a wider range trains your body to instinctively select the optimal airflow and embouchure.
- Using a metronome and practicing with clearly defined rhythms develops precise timing for ensemble playing.
- Mixing light tonguing into the middle of slurs helps you achieve both clarity of articulation and smoothness.
- Cycling through all positions (1st through 7th) eliminates inconsistencies in feel between positions and promotes a uniform tone.
Applied lip slur practice transforms what can become monotonous fundamental exercises into more practical and creative sessions. Because the trombone involves slide movement, underdeveloped lip slur technique often causes the music to sound disconnected. Through a multifaceted practice menu, develop the ability to maintain complete control at any tempo and in any register.
Applied Lip Slurs: Common Questions and Solutions
Q: I can't hit the notes when making wide-interval leaps. What should I do?
A: The wider the leap, the more you need an instantaneous increase in air speed. Visualize preparing the air pressure required for the next note just before you play it.
Q: When I do lip slurs at fast rhythms, the tone gets crushed.
A: Even as the rhythm gets faster, you must keep the air flowing continuously. Practice switching the syllable shape (the vowel formation inside your mouth) quickly, starting at a slow tempo first.
Practice Menu
- Perform lip slurs in 1st position that include leaps of an octave or more to build explosive air support.
- Repeat the same range in each position (2nd through 7th) to overcome any weakness in specific positions.
- Insert soft tonguing syllables such as "da" or "lu" between slurred notes to verify clarity of articulation.
- Change the rhythm to sixteenth notes or triplets and practice switching notes accurately at faster tempos.
It is the steady accumulation of applied practice like this that expands your potential as a trombonist. Master fluid slurs and acquire the technique to play through even the most demanding pieces as if you were singing.
