Hi there everyone.

Just a quick question about the trombone, is it difficult to learn the positions of the notes? on any other instrument, there are vales or holes to cover or strings to pluck.

But, the trombone has a slide...does this make it harder? Do you have to learn to play more by ear?



Thanks lots


Oddball

QUOTE (Oddball @ Oct 16 2004, 02:58 PM)

Just a quick question about the trombone, is it difficult to learn the positions of the notes? on any other instrument, there are vales or holes to cover or strings to pluck. But, the trombone has a slide...does this make it harder? Do you have to learn to play more by ear?

Every brass player has to have something of an ear. I did a very little trombone playing many years ago, after I had played cornet and tenor horn. What I discovered was that if I had the slide position wrong, I produced a very feeble sound, but it was usually reasonably in tune. This is less of a problem than the bass, on which if I put my finger in the wrong place on the string, I get a wrong note.

Ah, it works like that.

OK, thanks...!



Oddball

No the positions are fairly easy, after a bit you get used to them and automatically put your slide in the right place. 1st position is all the way up, 2nd position is about 1.5" down (1" usually on a Bb/F trombone), 3rd position is usually the bar on the slide inline with the rim of the bell, 4th position then top of the slide inline with the bell, 5th position a bit lower, 6th a comfortable stretch of the arm and 7th position a stretch lol!

starting in 1st, 3rd and 4th position is usually easier as you have some sort of reference point where you don't with the other positions, this is means playing scales starting in 5th position is hard because you have to make sure your starting note is in tune otherwise you put the other notes out, so a great deal of listening is required.

I noticed the other day that every time I play third position I will flick out my fingers on the slide and put the against the bell to stop my slide, so I know that is 3rd position

But you are always making little adjustments of the slide to get it in tune

I do exactly that, as well!