Trombone question

[Chrome]

My daughter brought home a slide trombone yesterday from her music class* ... it was the first time I got to really see one in person. My question: how do you know what note you're playing on the thing? I mean, there don't seem to be any "stops" or anything on the slide ... is it just by ear? If you want to play, for example, a C, how do you know how far out (or in?) to hold the slide?

(They passed out the instruments before starting to teach the kids, so she doesn't know yet either. We just all goofed around with it last night ... my younger girls, 4 and 2, were even able to get a sound out of it! It was a riot.)

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Ear is the only real answer, but there are basically 7 slide positions (later you will learn this is a gross oversimplification). The easiest to learn is first position - all the way in. Then comes third, with the cross brace of the slide equal with the edge of the bell. Then there is fourth, with the near end of the slide just past the edge of the bell.

Notes in first position (low to high): B-flat, F, B-flat. There are many more higher notes, but we'll stop here.

Notes in third position: A-flat, E-flat, A-flat

Notes in fourth position: G, D, G

Low C is in sixth position - for a 10 year old this is arm all the way out and even turned a little to the right. Yes, there is a seventh position (for B, F-sharp, B, etc.). Eighth position is when the slide falls off.

A method book is an inexpensive and vital reference. $8 or so. I use "Accent On Achievement" but any of them will have a position chart and will progress page by page.

Mike

[Chrome]

Thanks, Michael.