FOR YOUNG TROMBONISTS
(and their parents)
(and their parents)
First, it is best if you take regular private lessons with the best trombone teacher you can. Most band/orchestra directors would agree. They have many students to help, limited time to do so, and may not be brass instrument experts – let alone trombone! Ask your director for a referral. A college music major can be a good choice for a young trombonist.
Second, unless your teacher says otherwise, play any song you know with just the mouthpiece for a few minutes before you play the trombone. Find the "sweet-spot" where your lips vibrate easily; it's different for everybody. Everybody's lips and teeth are unique. Most people have more upper lip in the mouthpiece, a few, more lower; usually fairly close to the middle of the mouth. Buzz gently; not too loud, not too soft; not too high, not too low. You don't need to tongue; just slur around. Make the best sound you can, but don't worry too much about how it sounds – it will get better in time. If songs are too hard, just make little "siren" sounds. Be patient.
Third, play any simple song (Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Three Blind Mice, etc.) on your trombone – by ear – no music. When you learn one song, try it starting on a different note. See how many different notes you can start on. Slow is fine. Don't worry about mistakes, you'll get better. Some can do this easily right away, some take time. Everyone is different; take all the time you need. You may not be good at this; be patient; let yourself improve.
Try to sing the song, too. You don't need words, just "la-la-la" will do. Start with one note you can play on the trombone and match it, then two, and so on. It may be in a different octave in your voice. It may be hard to do at first. Different people sing better than others. If you feel embarrassed singing – hide – but sing! You may not be a great singer, but you can get better, and it will help your trombone playing. (My motto is "just because I can't sing doesn't mean I won't" – ask my students.) NOTE: singing in a choir is very valuable!
NOTE: Different people have different musical perception abilities. Actual tone-deafness (amusia) is very rare – about 4% of the population and it requires neurological diagnosis. Pitch discrimination develops at different ages in different children. Children are sometimes told they “can’t sing” because of this. They tend to believe it. It can be traumatic. Try to avoid teaching a child what they can't do. Given a chance, most will learn – patience is a virtue.
Linda Yeo Leonard's Warm-Up for Young Trombonists is excellent.
Lucinda Lewis offers some excellent advice for young players here.
Second, unless your teacher says otherwise, play any song you know with just the mouthpiece for a few minutes before you play the trombone. Find the "sweet-spot" where your lips vibrate easily; it's different for everybody. Everybody's lips and teeth are unique. Most people have more upper lip in the mouthpiece, a few, more lower; usually fairly close to the middle of the mouth. Buzz gently; not too loud, not too soft; not too high, not too low. You don't need to tongue; just slur around. Make the best sound you can, but don't worry too much about how it sounds – it will get better in time. If songs are too hard, just make little "siren" sounds. Be patient.
Third, play any simple song (Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Three Blind Mice, etc.) on your trombone – by ear – no music. When you learn one song, try it starting on a different note. See how many different notes you can start on. Slow is fine. Don't worry about mistakes, you'll get better. Some can do this easily right away, some take time. Everyone is different; take all the time you need. You may not be good at this; be patient; let yourself improve.
Try to sing the song, too. You don't need words, just "la-la-la" will do. Start with one note you can play on the trombone and match it, then two, and so on. It may be in a different octave in your voice. It may be hard to do at first. Different people sing better than others. If you feel embarrassed singing – hide – but sing! You may not be a great singer, but you can get better, and it will help your trombone playing. (My motto is "just because I can't sing doesn't mean I won't" – ask my students.) NOTE: singing in a choir is very valuable!
NOTE: Different people have different musical perception abilities. Actual tone-deafness (amusia) is very rare – about 4% of the population and it requires neurological diagnosis. Pitch discrimination develops at different ages in different children. Children are sometimes told they “can’t sing” because of this. They tend to believe it. It can be traumatic. Try to avoid teaching a child what they can't do. Given a chance, most will learn – patience is a virtue.
Linda Yeo Leonard's Warm-Up for Young Trombonists is excellent.
Lucinda Lewis offers some excellent advice for young players here.