Trombone books....recommendations

[greenbass5]

I'm interested in getting some Trombone books to practice with. Anyone got any suggestions? I've searched some and come up with a few. Like, Araban's Conservatory method, Rochut, and a book by J.J. Johnson. Anyone that uses or used these or others? Are some better for elec. bass than others? Any help with this stuff would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[onlyclave]

Why are you choosing trombone books? The exercises in trombone books are designed for trombone purposes such as embrochure, tone and intonation. Not really things that would apply to a stringed instrument. Also, because of the nature of brass instruments, some musical figures just don't lay well such as playing whole step trills with a slide for example.

Aside from a sight reading exercise I don't think trombone books have the same musical goal as say reading Bille, Simandl or any established string method. Just my 2 cents.

[headonastick]

I agree with onlyclave. As a trombone player I can attest that most trombone exercise books focus on improving particular technical abilities on the trombone, and the exercises don't necessarily transfer well even to valved brass instruments. With the specific books you mention, the Arban is a cornet method, not trombone anyway, unless he wrote two and no one told me! If you are looking for exercise books that aren't aimed specifically to electric bass then you would be much better served using books for double bass or for cello if necessary. Trombone books will focus on speed and dexterity in ranges that are particularly difficult because of the way the slide positions work out, and this sort of exercise is of little practical benefit for bass.

Some of the Rimsky-Korsakov trombone concerto might lend itself quite nicely to fretless as a melody and expression exercise but I imagine it would be pretty difficult, and it isn't an exercise book.

[dave_p]

actually, my teacher years ago had me get "chord studies for trombone" published by berkeley press
and strongly encouraged me to use it as a chord study and dexterity practice.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by dave_p

actually, my teacher years ago had me get "chord studies for trombone" published by berkeley press
and strongly encouraged me to use it as a chord study and dexterity practice.

That's also known as "Chord Studies for Electric Bass" and it has suggested fingerings written in for all of the chordal forms in C.

Not a very enlightening book IMO. I like using the Charlie Parker Omnibook in bass clef. Years of study in there.

[headonastick]

No doubt there are trombone books that could be used as studies for bass, but why do that when there are so many good books written specifically with bass in mind? When you've worked your way through all of those, then maybe it's worth delving into the repertoire of other instruments. The impression I got from the OP was that there was something specific about trombone books that they thought would be particularly useful. It wasn't a post about a trombone book that turned out to be helpful, but a call for advice on the best trombone books. I'm curious about what the appeal is, because if there is one then I've already got the trombone books so I could get practicing right away!

[greenbass5]

Thanks for your replys. I'm interested mainly for sightreading practice. Not to mention, I remember listening to a friend who played trombone practicing. I don't remember what books he was using, but I liked the way they sounded alot.

I did some more searching and it seems there's a few others here that recommend some of these books for practice. Thanks again.

[sedgdog]

"Chord Studies for Trombone" is an excellent book, although out of print. I believe "Chord Studies for Electric Bass" is basically the same book. I have used the trombone version for years - recommended to me from Jeff Berlin when I was at The Players School. Other excellent t-bone books for sight reading are the "Melodius Etudes for Trombone". They get progressively harder so start with book 1. Trombone books are GREAT for bass sight reading as they are very melody based, written in many different keys, and various time signitures. Plus rhythmic they typically aren't all over the map unlike Parker's omni-book (which is very good - just much more advanced). Good luck,

Tim

[NJL]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Not a very enlightening book IMO. I like using the Charlie Parker Omnibook in bass clef. Years of study in there.

aw, hell yeah!!