Packets
These are the packets I use with my high school students to teach bigger ideas, and they’re a good reference when you’re stuck. For more free materials, see the Resources page.
1) Great Tone on the Trombone
In this packet, I discuss exercises and practice techniques to improve tone.
Sections
- Listening
- Technique
- Playing LOTS of music
- Staying Patient and Enjoying the Process
2) Trombone Album Recommendations
Listening to music is vital for playing. The trombone is such a flexible instrument and is seen in a huge variety of music. I wanted to make a playlist that showed the trombone in as many genres as possible. This packet has short summaries of each album and you can find the playlists on the Resources page.
3) All About Intonation
Intonation is much more than having the needle at the center of the tuner. In this packet, I discuss the complexity of tuning and exercises to improve intonation.
Sections
- What is intonation?
- How do we tune on the trombone?
- Adjusting for different partials
- Adjusting for certain intervals
- How do we practice intonation?
4) Breaking Down Challenging Passages
I believe that hard passages need to be slowed down, simplified, and shortened into “chunks” in order to gain consistency. In this packet, I discuss techniques to take a daunting passage into attainable steps.
Sections
- Fast vs. Slow Practice
- Breaking things into chunks
- Isolating rhythm
- Taking things down an octave
- Exercises to work on a passage
- Practice away from an instrument