Playing a brass instrument requires a strong foundation of fundamental techniques. By incorporating these essential practices into your daily routine, you can develop the skills needed to play with confidence and expressiveness. Here are some key elements of a trombone practice routine:
1. Buzzing on the Mouthpiece
To produce a great trombone sound, it's important to develop a strong buzz on the mouthpiece. This involves practicing buzzing exercises to improve your tone quality, intonation, and range. Some specific techniques to try include:
- Mouthpiece sirens: Buzz from low to your high note and back down again. Try not to allow the sound to “break” when moving the pitch up and down. Strive to reduce “airiness” and strive to have as much “buzz” in your sound as possible.
- Practice pitch-matching with a drone: Play a pitch using an external drone (there are many musician’s drones available online and in the app store) and try to match it exactly with your mouthpiece buzz.
2. Breathing and Flow Exercises
Breathing and flow exercises help you develop your breath control, which is essential for playing with ease and consistency. Here are some techniques to try:
- Move the slide or valves while focusing only on maintaining a consistent air stream.
- Take deep breaths and exhale slowly and steadily (with a metronome) to build up your endurance. For example, you could inhale for 4 counts, hold for 8 counts, and exhale for 12 counts. Try different variations to suit your needs.
- Draw air into your lungs using your diaphragm, rather than your chest. Take a full breath every time!
3. Lip Slurs
Lip slurs help you develop the flexibility needed to move smoothly between notes and partials. They also help you develop better intonation and overall sound quality. Here are some tips for practicing lip slurs:
- Strive to move seamlessly between partials.
- Don't articulate notes, and don't allow your embouchure to move around.
- If you are having particular difficulty moving between two partials, practice buzzing sirens between them on the mouthpiece.
4. Articulations
Articulations refer to the way you start and stop notes. They are crucial for playing with clarity and precision. Here are some specific techniques to work on:
- Always practice articulations with a metronome.
- Work on staccato and legato playing throughout the range of the horn.
- Practice low register articulations, intervalic articulations (tone rows, major scale studies, etc), and double tonguing.
5. Upper Range Extension
Playing in the upper range of the instrument requires a different approach than playing in the middle or lower registers. To extend your upper range, try these techniques:
- Strive to keep your embouchure as relaxed as possible.
- Mouthpiece pressure should be as minimal as possible - just enough to create a seal.
- Focus on using air to expand upward.
- On trombone, start in an alternate position (6th or 7th) and glissando to first position (for instance, play middle C in 6th to high F in first. Then, try playing high F in 6th and glissando to Bb in first.) This is a great way to expand your range while maintaining proper air flow.
6. Good Musicianship
In addition to the fundamental techniques listed above, good musicianship is essential for playing any instrument well. Here are some additional tips to help you develop your skills:
- Sound concept: Listen to the masters to understand how you should sound on your instrument.
- Develop good time: Practice with a metronome.
- Consistency: Show up every day with your long-term vision in mind.
By incorporating these fundamental techniques and good musicianship practices into your daily routine, you can become a stronger, more confident brass player. This is by no means an all-inclusive list. Remember to take your time and practice consistently, and you'll see results in no time!
Download this free trombone fundamental routine for an idea of how you can structure your own.
Did I leave anything out? What else would you include in a daily trombone routine? Let me know in the comment section below. Share with someone who might find this information helpful!