Carson H Sharp

An Approach to Trombone Playing Carson H Sharp

"An Approach to Trombone Playing" is designed primarily for use in the development of a trombone player's fundamental physical skills (i.e. sound production, high and low range development, breath control, articulation, lip flexibility, etc.) This approach is not intended to be an all-encompassing trombone method. Other materials should be used as needed (see appendix). Some of the suggested techniques are unorthodox. The author suggests them because they have proven to be more effective than traditional approaches. Such techniques allow students to develop further in less time. Students, who have previously been unable to acquire the necessary physical skills for fine trombone playing, are able to achieve a high level of success through the diligent application of these methods. Emphasis is placed on brief, very intense periods of practice on each area assigned. A few minutes of practice on each area each day with great concentration on correct principles is required. A teacher should monitor the student's approach to each area weekly. If this procedure is followed consistently, a high degree of success will be realized. This approach is designed to take the serious student from scratch to a professional level of performance. However, even those students who do not desire to become professional musicians can achieve their desired level of skill through the application of the methods outlined in An Approach to Trombone Playing.