[Trombone-l] When to use what instrumentation

[Howard Weiner]

At 19:53 07.11.2007 -0800, Mark Mohwinkel wrote:
>How do you decide whether or not to use an alto trombone or tenor 
>trombone for the first part in orchestral works.  Some parts are 
>written for "trombone" in alto, tenor and bass clef.  Some are 
>written for alto trombone, tenor trombone, base bone, etc.  But I 
>also know that alto clef doesn't necessarily designate alto 
>trombone.  Don't say ask the principal - that's me.  Also, I don't 
>think the conductor will know for sure (or really care) since it's a 
>very amateur orchestra.  I'd prefer to play the alto clef parts on 
>alto bone (for practice) but I'd just like to know how to figure it 
>out.  How do you decide (if you're the one making that decision)?

Although I usually argue that from a historical point of view many, 
if not most orchestral first trombone parts were not intended for 
alto trombone, in practice I tend to take a pragmatic view: use the 
instrument on which you feel most comfortable and/or that fits best 
to the situation. If you want to get some practice on the alto, do it 
-- as long as the conductor remains happy and it doesn't cause an 
imbalance in the section. In other words, use your own judgement.

Howard


--
Howard Weiner
h.weiner at online.de
http://howard-weiner.de/

Tosca jumped to a conclusion.