- In trombone practice, rather than working through multiple method books simultaneously, it is important to choose one book suited to your level and practice it deeply and thoroughly
- Remington offers a wealth of lip slur patterns and is one of the most important exercises for building trombone fundamentals
- Arban's two pages starting from No. 11 are considered a bible for trombone players, with the effect of developing both technique and tone
- There are abilities that can only be gained by practicing one method book deeply and thoroughly, and practicing daily for even just two weeks is effective
Bad Example: Practicing Multiple Method Books Simultaneously
In trombone practice, working through multiple method books simultaneously tends to be inefficient for building a solid foundation. Trying to tackle everything that has been recommended means you cannot develop the abilities that come from practicing one method book deeply and thoroughly, and the effectiveness of your practice becomes scattered. Practicing a different method book every day makes it difficult to deeply understand a single book and build a solid foundation. For example, if you start practicing lip slurs with Remington but switch to Arban the next day and then to Kopprasch the day after, constantly switching between method books means you cannot deeply understand the characteristics and key points of each book, and you cannot build a solid trombone foundation.
Good Example: Choosing One Book Suited to Your Level and Practicing It in Depth
In trombone practice, choosing one book suited to your level and practicing it deeply and thoroughly is effective for building a solid foundation. There are abilities that can only be gained by practicing one method book deeply and thoroughly, and by practicing daily for even just two weeks, you can improve your trombone technique and tone. By understanding the characteristics of each method book, such as Remington and Arban, and choosing one to focus on, it becomes possible to build a solid foundation. Remington offers a wealth of lip slur patterns and is one of the most important exercises for building trombone fundamentals, and by practicing diligently every day, you can solidify your foundation while understanding what lip slurs are all about. Arban's two pages starting from No. 11 are content that could be called a bible for trombone players, and by practicing with a tuner and metronome while striving to play with the best possible tone, it becomes an extremely important and effective exercise for developing technique and tone.
Practice Steps
To effectively use trombone method books, it is important to follow a step-by-step practice approach. By choosing one book suited to your level and practicing it deeply and thoroughly, you can improve your trombone technique and tone and it becomes possible to build a solid foundation.
Step 1: Choose a Method Book Suited to Your Level
First, it is important to choose a method book suited to your level. For those who have just started playing, Asaren is recommended, as the sheet music is simple and includes position markings, making it easy to practice. For those looking to solidify their fundamentals, Remington and Arban are suitable. Remington is a method book that every trombone player practices at least once, and it contains a very large number of lip slur patterns. Arban features sheet music that is easy to play even at first sight, with very approachable notation, but it is important to practice with a tuner and metronome while striving to play with the best possible tone. For those preparing for music university entrance exams, Kopprasch is suitable, as the range used is wider than Arban, helping you develop the technique needed to play across a broader register. By understanding the characteristics of each method book when making your choice, effective practice becomes possible.
Step 2: Practice Your Chosen Method Book Daily for at Least Two Weeks
Please try practicing your chosen method book daily for even just two weeks. There are abilities that can only be gained by practicing one method book deeply and thoroughly, and by practicing diligently every day, you can build a solid trombone foundation. It is effective to not try to tackle everything that has been recommended, but instead start with one thing. For example, if you choose Remington, it is very challenging, and for passages that are extremely difficult, it is good to start very slowly, but it is important to begin slowly, and with each repetition, gradually play faster and increasingly smoothly. By fully understanding one method book before moving on to the next, you gain the effect of steadily expanding your trombone technique.
Step 3: Play with a Tuner and Metronome, Striving for the Best Possible Tone
Please try to play with a tuner and metronome while striving for the best possible tone. When practicing method books such as Arban, the sheet music is easy to play even at first sight, with very approachable notation, but by being mindful of playing with the best possible tone, it becomes an extremely important and effective exercise for developing technique and tone. If you choose Asaren as well, it is effective to take out the Asaren sheet music and practice scales at a slow tempo with a tuner and metronome as a morning warm-up. By consistently practicing while always being mindful of playing with the best possible tone, you can build a solid trombone foundation and it will lead to expressive and richly musical playing.
- Choose a method book suited to your level (beginners: Asaren, building fundamentals: Remington or Arban, exam preparation: Kopprasch)
- Practice your chosen method book daily for at least two weeks
- Practice with a tuner and metronome, striving to play with the best possible tone
- Fully understand one method book before moving on to the next
- Do not work through multiple method books simultaneously—focus on one book at a time
Conclusion: Build a Solid Trombone Foundation by Practicing One Book in Depth
In trombone practice, effectively using method books is essential for building a solid foundation. Rather than working through multiple method books simultaneously, choosing one book suited to your level and practicing it deeply and thoroughly allows you to improve your trombone technique and tone. Remington offers a wealth of lip slur patterns and is one of the most important exercises for building trombone fundamentals, and lip slurs are one of the most important exercises in building a trombone foundation. Arban's two pages starting from No. 11 are content that could be called a bible for trombone players, and by practicing with a tuner and metronome while striving to play with the best possible tone, it becomes an extremely important and effective method book for developing technique and tone. There are abilities that can only be gained by practicing one method book deeply and thoroughly, and by practicing daily for even just two weeks, it becomes possible to build a solid foundation. Rather than trying to tackle everything that has been recommended, start with one thing and fully understand one method book before moving on to the next—this is essential. By following these practice steps, you will be able to build a solid trombone foundation and achieve expressive and richly musical playing.
