I've been looking at the syllabi for the trombone, and am a bit stuck as to whether to go for the jazz or the standard trombone syllabus. Have any of you done both? How do they compare?

I want to get to grade five so that I can play in the local orchestra, and I'd guess they'd smile more on the standard syllabus? But I would like to play a wide and varied repertoire, really.

I think that perhaps you should prepare both, but then only take your standard grade 5. I think the jazz exams are much easier, but worth having a go at. You'll probably learn more from the standards, which will not only be favourable (I'm assuming) to your local orchestra, but will benefit you more. Also by actually taking the exam it's another oppurtunity to perform and get back into it.



Oh yeah, if you do trinity you miss out the scales and do some jazz studies instead (and some ridiculously simple viva voce), but scales will be of use. It's entirely up to you in the end and what you think will benefit you the most.


(having said that I've never done scales on the trombone.... ).

That sounds like a sensible option. I just want to play flexibly, as there don't seem to be many openings in local orchestras for brass, and I know we have 2 big bands in the area too, which might be more interested in jazz style play.

I guess I need to get through grade 1 before I start worrying about all this stuff though!

Is the trinity exam regarded as highly as the ABRSM one?

Depends who you're asking - you could argue for either. Whilst ABRSM is perhaps more common/well known, Trinity is generally accepted as a substitute.