Blog
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Brian Bowman on Euphonium: Beautiful, Lyrical Playing
Simple but beautiful. A euphonium clip from another one of my former teachers, Brian Bowman, now euphonium professor at University of North Texas. Hard to find a better euphonium sound anywhere. Trombonists can learn from the lyrical approach as well…
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Trombone Giants
Another of my former teachers, Scott Hartman, with 4 other great trombone players.
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Breathing: Pulmonary Function Calculator
Johns Hopkins now has a free online pulmonary function calculator that computes predicted values for some of the most common breathing measurements. Predicted values are simply the amounts that medical professionals would expect, based on basic individual data–in this case, a...
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Trombone History: Moravian Trombone Choir
Added 3 images from 1944 to the Trombone History Timeline (20th century). Three photographs, which show soprano, alto, and tenor trombones, document a Moravian trombone choir performance in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Taken by Howard R. Hollem, they bear the title “The Moravian tr...
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Murray Crewe on Contrabass Trombone
Bass trombonist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Murray Crewe (one of my former teachers), on his contrabass trombone. The better to Bartok with…
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Just for Fun
Decided to add a “Just for fun” blog category. Here’s a clip of someone soloing over New Soul with the iBone app. Lookout, Guitar Hero!
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Jazz Trombone History
Added 3 new items to the Trombone History Timeline, all from the 20th century and all pertaining to jazz. They are photographs that include trombones in groups headed by W. C. Handy and Duke Ellington, as well as a photo of the “King & Carter Jazzing Orchestra” of Houston,...
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Mystery Trombone Image
I have encountered many interesting images that include trombones while compiling the Trombone History Timeline. The 17th century, in particular, seems to be full of artwork that includes trombones–oil paintings, frescoes on church ceilings and castle walls, engravings, carvi...
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Improving Tone on Trombone
There are 3 “non-negotiables” in trombone playing: 1) tone, 2) intonation, and 3) time/rhythm. If a player is in good shape in all 3 of these areas, chances of success in almost any performance, audition, or competition are high.
Tone, of course, is the first of these prioritie...
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Breathing Improvement
Here’s an update at the end of the second phase of my little study:
After 3 weeks of measuring 30 vital capacity breaths a day, peak measurements improved from 6.6 liters to 7.3 liters.
After 3 weeks of measuring 30 peak expiratory flow/forced expiratory volume maneuvers pe...