[Trombone-l] annotated guide to tenor trombone solos & methodbooks

[james meador]

Richard,

The book that Wayne recommended is excellent.  I also used "15 Minute 
Warm-up Routine" by Michael Davis.  Not all my 7th and 8th graders could 
play every exercise, but we did the ones they could play, and some could 
play all, and some could play all pretty well.  They gain a real 
appreciation for fundamentals and the necessity of a good warm-up, it helps 
them develop their own personal warm-up routine, plus most middle school age 
kids LOVE playing along with the CD, which I found inspires them to practice 
more in addition to stimulating them aurally.

For solos, I frequently used a book called "Trombone Gems" by H.A. 
Vandercook (pub. Rubank), a collection of 10 solos (all named after gems) 
that get progressively more challenging from first to last solo.  This book 
also comes with CD, so the kids get PLENTY of practice time with a "piano" 
accompaniment, which I find helps build their confidence immensely when they 
play with an actual pianist.  I've worked with talented kids on solos that 
just absolutely CHOKE when they play with a piano accompaniment.  If they 
are beyond this level of music, I pull the book out for sight-reading.  I've 
found this book also inspires kids because they feel they are really making 
music, not just blowing through a piece on their music stand.

Best,
James Meador

======================
James N. Meador, Bass Trombone
Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán
+52-999-221-5845 cell
+52-999-195-1144 home
jamesmeador at hotmail.com


From: Wayne Dyess <TexasTbone at gt.rr.com>
To: Richard Lee <bassboneage at gmail.com>
Cc: Bone List <trombone-l at samford.edu>
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] annotated guide to tenor trombone solos & 
methodbooks
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2006 6:53 PM
    I'm not sure what to
give them, as they are too young to start on the Rochut book, and  I'd like
to find a book that will keep them challenged yet not overwhelmed.


------------

Rubank Advanced Method, Volume 1 is a terrific book for 7th graders  or 
advanced beginners.
I used it with great success when I taught middle school.

You'll like it.  Scales, technique, melodies (for legato study),  excerpts 
from Arban's, and duets.  GOOD, good book!
--Wayne Dyess