[Trombone-l] alto trombone question

[Corey Kirkpatrick]

Hi Jason - - -

I too wish it were so, but reality is that all (well most anyway) music
published for alto trombone is written at pitch.  This includes all the
classical orchestral literature. 

There is an alto bone method book, whose name escapes me, that contains 
exercises written at pitch and then transposed (like you did for the Mozart.)
This is good way to get comfortable playing the horn without getting tied up
in the fingerings, but at some point you must also get comfortable with the
new positions.

It takes time. It took me several years and I still have to think about
"switching gears" when I pick up the alto.  

But it's doable.  Here are some things I found helpful. This is for an e-flat
alto BTW.

1)  Initially, make a mental "map" of the alto positions to tenor positions. 
A note on the alto is fingered like a note a fourth lower on tenor. 
2)  Strive to really learn the new positions and the new harmonic series. (BTW
"D" in second position still feels wrong after all these years! ;-) 
3) It's still a trombone, so harmonics that are flat on tenor will be flat on
alto. The first position "D" above middle C is flat on tenor; so.. the first
position "G" above middle C on alto is also flat. This can make intonation
interesting as pitches aren't in their usual spots!
4) It can be very frustrating because you are essentially starting over,
learning a new instrument. 
5) It is very easy to play out of tune on the alto.  Focus on pitch accuracy
first and technique second.
6) All the intonation work rubs off on your tenor playing. Trust me.


I hope my rambling here helps. Some of this you already know. The main thing
is patience and perseverance  Good luck and enjoy the alto!

Corey Kirkpatrick

------ Original Message ------
Received: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 03:17:59 PM CST
From: Jason Smith <jbone72 at yahoo.com>
To: bone list <trombone-l at server5.samford.edu>
Subject: [Trombone-l] alto trombone question

I have recently purchased and am struggling to learn
the alto trombone.  I bought a copy of L Mozart's
concerto and am trying to learn.  My question is this 
Why is alto trombone music not written transposed like
so that the positions correspond to the notes on tenor
rather than learn a whole new set of notes and
positions.  To me it would seem to facilitate
switching back and forth, tuning tendencies would
correspond to the same position on the harmonic series
etc.  I entered the music into finale but in bass
clef,  did a quick transposition and now I can
actually come close to playing rather than trying to
learn a who new set of positions?


 
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