Have you ever wanted to play the trombone but just did not know how to start. Watch this guide to learn how to start playing.
The video covers how to assemble and hold the trombone and how to start playing your first notes.
Assembling the trombone
1. With your right hand take the slide by the second brace and hold straight up.
2. With your left hand take the bell section by the middle brace and bring the two pieces together at the screw ends.
3. Tighten the two sections together to form a right angle with the bell pointing away and to the left.
Place the mouthpiece into the mouthpiece receiver, making sure not to twist or push.
Hand Positions
Left Hand Position
1. With your left hand make an ‘L’ shape with the first finger and thumb.
2. Curl in the remaining three fingers into your palm.
3. Wrap the thumb around the bell section brace or if using an F-Attachment place the thumb on the trigger.
4. Place the three remaining fingers around the first slide brace.
5. The first finger should rest on the top of the mouthpiece receiver on the slide section.
Right Hand Position
With your right hand place the first two fingers and the thumb to grip the second brace of the
slide.
Before playing, remember to remove the slide lock which is located at the top of the slide.
Creating the correct embouchure
The embouchure is the group of muscles surrounding the lips that make the lips vibrate and produce notes through the mouthpiece into the trombone. The degree of tension of these muscles will make the note sound high or low.
1. To make the basic embouchure, say the letter ‘M’. The lips are directly on top of each other and the corners of the mouth are forward.
2. Lightly press your index finger onto your lips while saying the letter ‘M’.
3. Breathe in and blow out through the mouth.
Now you are ready to buzz!
1. With your index finger on the ‘M’ embouchure, breathe in.
2. Take your finger away and try buzzing. (The top lip should vibrate off the bottom lip.)
Keep trying until the buzz sounds.
Buzzing into the mouthpiece
1. Using the same ‘M’ embouchure, place the mouthpiece onto the lips in a comfortable position in the centre of your mouth.
2. Breathe in, then buzz into the mouthpiece.
Keep trying until the buzz sounds.
Now play your first note on the trombone!
1. Using the same ‘M’ embouchure, bring the trombone to your lips with the top of the bell section over your shoulder and the slide parallel with the floor.
2. Take a deep breath in and blow into the trombone using the tongue to start the note. Try to play a low Bb in first position. Listen to the video for the pitch.
The tongue should be on the roof of the mouth behind the top teeth to start the note before dropping to the bottom of the mouth to produce a ‘Tah’ sound.
How does the trombone work?
The trombone slide has 7 positions. As the slide moves down from 1st to 7th position the tubing
increases and the pitch of the note gets lower.
Sound is produced through the combination of air flow, the vibration of the lips and the position of the slide.
There is a tuning slide located at the top of the instrument that adjusts how sharp or flat the
instrument is.
Moisture will build up inside of the trombone while you are playing. There is a water key located on the bottom of the slide which you can use to empty the water.
Tips
1. Keep good posture. Standing is the best for breathing. When sitting keep your back off the chair and do not cross your legs.
2. Practicing 15 – 30 minutes everyday will keep you improving.
3. Develop your lung capacity by practicing breathing exercises.
4. Have fun.
Buzzing it 