Trombone Lesson 6: Tonguing & Sliding

Summary

This video script instructs trombone players on how to integrate tonguing with slide movements. Starting with an F note in the first position, the tutorial progresses to playing the same note in the third position. It emphasizes maintaining a steady airflow and moving the slide swiftly using wrist action. The key takeaway is synchronizing the tongue with wrist and finger movements to achieve a clear, uninterrupted sound, avoiding the 'da' droop and aiming for a crisp 'da da' effect.

Takeaways

• 🎷 Start by playing an F in the first position with the trombone slide fully in.
• 📍 Move the slide to the third position, aligning the brace with the edge of the bell.
• 🎵 Practice playing the F and the note in third position to familiarize yourself with the slide positions.
• 🌀 Maintain a steady stream of air while moving the slide from first to third position and back.
• ⏱️ Practice moving the slide quickly back and forth to improve speed and precision.
• 👀 If unsure about slide positions, visually check and practice the movement.
• 👅 Tongue the note in sync with the wrist and finger movement to avoid a droopy sound.
• 🔉 Aim for a clear sound without the 'da' droop, achieving a crisp 'da da' instead.
• 🤚 Combine the tongue technique with the slide movement using quick wrist and finger actions.
• 🎶 When playing a note and moving the slide, use the tongue to ensure a clean articulation.

Q & A

What is the starting note in the exercise described in the script?

The starting note is an F, which is played in first position (slide all the way in).

How do you know when the trombone slide is in third position?

Third position is when the brace you hold on to lines up with the edge of the bell of the trombone.

What is the key technique emphasized when moving the trombone slide?

The technique emphasized is using the wrist and fingers to move the slide smoothly and quickly while maintaining a steady stream of air.

Why does the instructor advise moving the slide slowly at first?

Moving the slide slowly at first helps to maintain control and ensures that the player can hear the transition between notes clearly.

What sound issue does the instructor warn about when moving the slide too slowly?

The instructor warns that moving the slide too slowly can cause the sound to 'droop' down and then back up, which creates an unclear sound.

How can you eliminate the 'da' sound when moving the trombone slide?

To eliminate the 'da' sound, the instructor suggests using the tongue at the same time as moving the slide, saying 'to' to create a clear transition between notes.

What vocal syllable does the instructor recommend using to ensure a clean articulation?

The instructor recommends using the syllable 'to' to ensure a clean and clear articulation between notes.

Why does the instructor suggest looking at the slide while practicing?

The instructor suggests looking at the slide while practicing to help players become familiar with the slide positions and develop muscle memory.

How does tonguing affect the sound of the trombone when moving the slide?

Tonguing helps to produce a clear and distinct sound (da da da) without the drooping effect, providing a sharper articulation when moving the slide.

What is the final exercise the instructor asks the player to perform?

The final exercise is to start on an F, move the slide quickly to third position and back, while using the tongue (saying 'to') to ensure clear articulation.