4th Grade Band Trombones Don‛t forget to practice your “Musical Alphabet” forwards and backwards: “A B C D E F G...G F E D C B A”! In thinking about Thanksgiving this week, we listened to a recording of “Variations on a Shaker Theme” by Aaron Copland. The song it is based on is called “Simple Gifts” and is a great Thanksgiving theme. The group playing is the Dallas Wind Symphony. Check it out by clicking here. Here are some things to think about when playing the trombone: ● Make sure to warm-up with some breathing and buzzing exercises on your mouthpiece. ● Don‛t use the mouthpiece as a straw to breath in through. Breath in through the corners of your mouth. ● Hold the slide lightly with your fingers, not like you are falling off a cliff and holding on for dear life! Use your fingers and wrists to help you move the slide.
● Next, take some time to practice each of the three notes by themselves: ○ Bb - first position (all the way in) ○ C - sixth position (extend!) ○ D - fourth position (just past the bell) ○ Eb - third position (next to the bell) ○ F - first position (“fast” buzz)
“Jingle Bells”
D D D- D D D- D F Bb C D-- Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb D D- D C C D C- F- D D D- D D D- D F Bb C D-- Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb D D- F F Eb C Bb---