Producing a Sound on the Trombone

Shape the mouth as if saying the letter "M."

The lips are stretched firmly against the teeth with the center of the mouth relaxed.

At first, take a full breath of air and try to create a relaxed buzz tone without the mouthpiece. Breathe from the corners of the mouth and do not raise your shoulders.

The mouthpiece is placed approximately 1/3 on the upper lip and 2/3 on the lower lip.

Try playing a long, steady tone of 8 beats with the mouthpiece.

Once this is mastered, gently place the mouthpiece into the lead pipe of the trombone with a 1/4 turn twist.

Do not "palm" the mouthpiece into the instrument.

Start each tone with a "too."

Try not to "puff" the cheeks.

Correct Position for Playing the Trombone

Sit up straight on the edge of the chair with the head erect.

The left hand supports the weight of the instrument as it rests on the left shoulder.

The left hand is in back of the bell brace. The left index finger rests on the mouthpiece tube. The other fingers of the left hand are placed around the first slide brace.

The right hand is relaxed, with the wrist a straight as possible.

The trombone slants down a bit to conform to the natural angle of the jaw. Refer to the picture in your method method.

The right thumb and the first two fingers are used to grasp the slide.

The chin is pointed and flat.

Interesting Facts About The Trombone

The trombone is the only modern instrument that uses a slide.

The trombone evolved from an instrument called the tromba, a long trumpet of the Middle Ages.

Today's trombone is basically the same design as when it first appeared in 1450.

In the year 1500, Nuremberg, Germany was the center of trombone making.

Before valves were invented, the trombone was the only instrument that could play any note of the scale.

Trombones were first used in town concert bands and used in church to accompany singing. They were added to military bands in 1750.

By the year 1850, trombones were regular members of the symphony orchestra.

The tenor or slide trombone is the most common.

A valve trombone has three valves instead of a slide.

The bass trombone is larger than the tenor trombone and has one or two rotary valves for extending the range downward.

Trombones are played in bands, orchestras, brass ensembles and jazz bands.

Most trombones are made of brass. Then they are silver-plated or lacquered.

[from: http://schools.portnet.k12.ny.us/~dtedeschi/Trombone.htm