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Reference
The trombone family, method books, supplies, and position chart
The Trombone Family in Detail
Six members of the trombone family exist, but only two are relevant for school band programs. The tenor trombone is the primary instrument; bass trombone is reserved for advanced high school players. All others are specialty instruments not appropriate for school settings.
| Type | Key | Bore | School Use? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano | Bb | Small | No | Slide trumpet substitute. Extremely rare. Not a school instrument. |
| Alto | Eb | Small (.485″) | No | Used in orchestral repertoire (Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann). Reads alto clef. Not for school band. |
| Tenor | Bb | Medium (.500″–.525″) | Yes — primary | Standard school instrument. Available with or without F-attachment (trigger). Beginners start on straight tenor; F-attachment added in late middle school or high school. |
| Bass | Bb/F/Gb or D | Large (.562″+) | Advanced HS only | Larger bore and bell. One or two valves (dependent/independent). Requires mature embouchure and strong air support. School-owned instrument. |
| Contrabass | F or Bb (low) | Very large | No | Double-length slide. Extremely rare and expensive. Professional/collegiate use only. |
| Valve Trombone | Bb | Medium | No | Piston or rotary valves instead of a slide. Used in jazz and some marching contexts. Not recommended for school instruction—students must learn slide technique. |
Method Books & Resources
Warm-Ups & Fundamentals
- Remington Warm-Up Studies (adapted by Donald Hunsberger) — The gold standard for trombone fundamentals. Long tones, legato exercises, and daily routines used at virtually every university trombone studio. Builds embouchure strength, slide technique, and tonal consistency from day one.
- Brad Edwards Lip Slurs — Progressive lip flexibility studies organized by difficulty. Develops smooth partial changes and range expansion. Excellent supplement to Remington for building embouchure flexibility.
Comprehensive Technique
- Arban’s Famous Method for Trombone — The most comprehensive single method book for brass. Covers scales, intervals, ornaments, tonguing studies, characteristic studies, and 12 famous fantasies. A lifelong reference.
Lyrical & Melodic Studies
- Rochut/Bordogni Melodious Etudes (3 volumes) — Vocal melodies transcribed for trombone. Essential for developing musicianship, phrasing, legato playing, and breath control. Volume 1 is the most commonly used; all three volumes are standard in university curricula.
Intermediate–Advanced Etudes
- Kopprasch 60 Studies (2 volumes) — Intermediate to advanced technical etudes. Builds facility with intervals, tonguing patterns, and range. Commonly assigned for all-state audition preparation.
- Blazhevich Clef Studies — For advanced students learning tenor clef and alto clef reading. Essential for orchestral trombone playing. Introduce only after students are secure in bass clef.
Practical Perspectives
- “Trombone 101” by After Sectionals Podcast — Practical, classroom-focused discussion of trombone pedagogy from working band directors. Covers common student problems, embouchure troubleshooting, and rehearsal strategies. Accessible resource for new teachers building their low brass toolkit.
Supplies & Maintenance Quick Reference
Every trombone player—and every band room—should stock the following. Slide care is the single most important maintenance habit for trombone students.
| Item | Purpose | Est. Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide cream + spray bottle | Primary slide lubrication | ~$6–$8 | Slide-O-Mix, Yamaha Slide Lubricant, or Trombotine. Apply cream to inner slide stockings, mist with water. Reapply as needed throughout rehearsal. |
| Slide oil (alternative) | Quick slide lubrication | ~$5–$7 | Slide-O-Mix rapid comfort or similar. Faster application than cream but may need more frequent reapplication. Good for quick touch-ups. |
| Spray bottle | Water mist for slide | ~$1–$3 | Small travel-size spray bottle. Essential companion to slide cream. Students should always have one in their case. |
| Cleaning snake | Interior cleaning | ~$5–$8 | Flexible brush for cleaning inside slide tubes and bell section. Use with warm water during monthly cleaning. |
| Cleaning rod + cheesecloth | Inner slide cleaning | ~$4–$6 | Wrap cheesecloth around rod to clean inner slide stockings. Removes buildup that causes sluggish action. Do weekly or whenever slide feels gritty. |
| Cheesecloth | Slide cleaning fabric | ~$3–$5 | Lint-free and absorbent. Cut into strips for cleaning rod. Do not substitute paper towels (fibers clog slide). |
| Tuning slide grease | Tuning slide lubrication | ~$3–$5 | For main tuning slide and F-attachment tuning slide. Apply sparingly; too much attracts dirt. Reapply monthly or when slides stick. |
| Polishing cloth | Exterior cleaning | ~$4–$7 | Microfiber or treated lacquer cloth. Wipe down after every playing session to remove fingerprints and moisture. Prevents lacquer deterioration. |
| BERP (Buzz Extension and Resistance Piece) | Buzzing practice aid | ~$25–$35 | Attaches to mouthpiece receiver; allows buzzing with resistance simulating the instrument. Useful for warm-ups and embouchure development. Not essential but highly recommended for serious students. |
Position Chart Reference
The trombone uses seven slide positions. Each position lowers the fundamental pitch by one half step. Within each position, players access different notes by changing the overtone (partial) they play—higher partials require faster air and a firmer embouchure.
| Position | Slide Location | Partials (Low to High) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fully in | Bb1 — Bb2 — F3 — Bb3 — D4 — F4 — Ab4* — Bb4 |
| 2nd | ~3″ out | A1 — A2 — E3 — A3 — C#4 — E4 — G4* — A4 |
| 3rd | ~6″ out | Ab1 — Ab2 — Eb3 — Ab3 — C4 — Eb4 — Gb4* — Ab4 |
| 4th | ~10″ out | G1 — G2 — D3 — G3 — B3 — D4 — F4* — G4 |
| 5th | ~14″ out | Gb1 — Gb2 — Db3 — Gb3 — Bb3 — Db4 — E4* — Gb4 |
| 6th | ~19″ out | F1 — F2 — C3 — F3 — A3 — C4 — Eb4* — F4 |
| 7th | Fully extended | E1 — E2 — B2 — E3 — G#3 — B3 — D4* — E4 |
Reading the Chart
Pedal tones (fundamental/1st partial) are listed first—these are available but rarely used by beginners. The most commonly used range for school players spans from the 2nd partial (e.g., Bb2 in 1st position) through the 6th partial (e.g., F4 in 1st position). Partials marked with * are naturally out of tune and require position adjustments.
Broader Pedagogy Resources
See the Pedagogy Hub
For broader pedagogy content applicable to all instruments—breathing exercises, assessment strategies, classroom setup, retention frameworks, and the complete Beginner Band Framework—visit the InstruMentor Pedagogy Hub →