SLIDE TECHNIQUE
trombone choir history/pedagogy
artists comparisons
Samuel Scheidt (1587-1684)
Dario Castello (1590-1658)
Giovanni Gabrielli (1554-1612)
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) - Magnificat - Vespers of
1610
THE LOST YEARS!!!
Leopold Mozart (1719-1787)
Johann Georg Albrechtsberger (1736-1809)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
THE LOST YEARS!!!
REMINGTON SCHOOL
Emory Brace Remington (18921971) was a trombonist and music teacher. His unique method
made him one of the most well-known and influential trombone educators in history. He was a
member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra from 1923 to 1949, and on the faculty of the
Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY from 1922 until his death in 1971.
Conn Trombones
STUDENTS OF REMMINGTON
Larry Campbell - United States Coast Guard Band (Ret.) and Louisiana State University (Ret.)
James DeSano - Cleveland Orchestra, Oberlin Conservatory
Ralph Sauer - Los Angeles Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony
Herbert (Sonny) Ausman - Los Angeles Philharmonic, recording engineer
Edwin Anderson - Cleveland Orchestra, Indiana University
Robert Gray - University of Illinois
Charles Baker - New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra, University of British Columbia, National Arts Center Orchestra, Cherry Classics Music publishing
Radio
CBC
Orchestra,
Gordon Cherry - Vancouver Symphony
Gregory Cox - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, CBC Radio Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Eastern Music Festival
Gordon Pulis - New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Donald Knaub - Rochester Philharmonic, Eastman School of Music faculty, Professor of Trombone at University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Irvin Wagner - Oklahoma City Philharmonic, University of Oklahoma
Dr. Richard Fote - Crane School of Music of SUNY Potsdam, State College Fredonia New York, Erie Symphony PA
Byron McCulloh - Pittsburgh Symphony
George Osborn - Rochester Philharmonic, faculty Eastman School of Music
Bill Harris - Syracuse Symphony
Fred Boyd - South Carolina Philharmonic, Private Low Brass Teacher
Doug Courtright - Syracuse Symphony
Art Linsner - Chicago Freelance bass trombonist
Tony Dechario - Rochester Philharmonic
Dave Richey - Rochester Philharmonic
Raymond Premru - Philharmonia Orchestra (London), Oberlin Conservatory
Harold Steiman - Pittsburgh Symphony
Bernie Pressler - Ball State University
Hal Janks - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Richard Myers - Buffalo Philharmonic
Dennis Good - Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra, Central Washington University, Dean of Fine arts at Lamar University
Symphony
Memphis
Dr. Russ Schultz
Lewis Van Haney - New York Philharmonic, Indiana University
Elwood Williams - San Francisco Ballet, Williams Music Publishing
Bill Reichenbach - Los Angeles studio trombonist, soloist, arranger, composer
Anne Witherell - Private Trombone Teacher
Robert Boyd - Cleveland Orchestra
Dr. Donald Hunsberger - Eastman Wind Ensemble Music Director
David Fetter - Baltimore Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Peabody Conservatory
James E. Pugh - New York recording artist, University of Illinois
Robert Marsteller - Los Angeles Philharmonic, U. of Southern California
J. Richard Raum - Regina Symphony Orchestra, University of Regina
Dr. Neill Humfeld - East Texas State University
Gary Greenhoe- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, manufacturer: Greenhoe trombones
Norm Wilcox-arranger and Principal Trombonist of the Finger Lakes Orchestra, Elmira Orchestra
Rick Starnes-Conductor, Birmingham Community Concert Band
Douglas Burden - National Arts Centre Orchestra, McGill University, Ottawa University, Capital Brass
Audrey Morrison - soloist, freelance artist
Robert E. Moran - United States Navy Dance Band, Monroe County (NY) Parks Band, Union Musician, RCSD Music Teacher
William Peter Kline - Teaches music theory, music appreciation, low brass, and directs the brass ensemble at San Antonio College
Emory
Remington, long time trombone teacher at the Eastman School of
Music advocated holding the lower slide so that the wrist faces the player,
with the fingertips on the slide cross brace. Students were instructed to
toss the slide from position to position, using the wrist as a hinge for fluid
slide movements
Fluid
slide technique, economy of movement in short slide positions
Potential
problems with precision which can be limited because of he
various "hinges." These "hinges" allow for a multitude of variables which can
arrive at different times to the desired position.
"Tossing"
the slide into position - create a circular motion corresponding to
alternate positions
Motion
is as slow as the music will allow - "passing through" slide positions
DENNIS WICK SCHOOL
Denis Wick (born 1931) is Britain's most influential orchestral trombonist of the 20th century. He is
also an internationally respected brass teacher and designer of brass mutes and mouthpieces. On
retirement in 1989 he was awarded the International Trombone Association's annual award; he
served as their president 2004-2006.
Denis Wick, retired
Principal Trombonist of the London Symphony
Orchestra, advocates turning the wrist down, effectively not using it as a
hinge at all. This cleans up the floppiness found in many students of the
Remington school who dont monitor their slide technique regularly.
Cleaner
slide movements from position to position, fewer hinges or
moving parts
Can
become overly rigid and lead to tension, which supersedes any
advantage that this method provides.
Wick
believed in the fore-arm moving in plane
Wrist
down - palm pointing to the floor
Relaxation
and fluidity are key
Doug Elliot
[Link]
Ian Bousfield - modified Wick technique
[Link]
Michel Bequet - upturned palm "claw" grip
[Link]
John Kitzman - modified Wick with
"claw"
[Link]
"INDEXED" ALESSI
TECHNIQUE
Joseph Alessi is a world-renowned, primarily classical, trombonist; he is the
current Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and an
active soloist, teacher/clinician and recording artist.
Precise
indexing of each position
Quick
transition between positions, staying on each
position as long as possible
Upturned
Never
palm, moving in plane
touching the bell
Grip
is similar to holding a "key" - two fingers and
thumb
Somewhat
limited wrist movement
Dave Finlayson - "indexing" speed
[Link]
Joseph Alessi - "indexing" with light finesse grip
[Link]
[Link]
Four of a Kind Trombone Quartet
[Link]
Csaba Bencze
[Link]
MORE EXAMPLES OF
TECHNIQUE DIVERSITY
James Edward Pugh (born November 12, 1950) is a trombonist, composer, and educator. He is noted as the lead
trombonist with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd (19721976) and Chick Corea's Return to Forever Band
(19771978). For 25 years, he worked as a freelance trombonist in New York City. In recent years, he toured and
recorded with the rock group Steely Dan, is a founding member of the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble, and is on
faculty as Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Receiving B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, David Taylor started his playing career
as a member of American Symphony Orchestra, and by appearing with the New York Philharmonic under Pierre
Boulez. Almost Simultaneously, he was a member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis jazz band, and recorded with Duke
Ellington (The New Orleans Suite), The Joe Henderson Big Band, The Rolling Stones, and Blood Sweat and Tears.
Mr. Taylor has recorded four solo albums (Koch, New World, and DMP), and has presented numerous recitals
throughout the world (including Carnegie Recital Hall, Kaufman Aud. at the Y at 92nd St., and Merkin Hall).
He has appeared as a soloist with the St. Lukes Chamber Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln
Center, The Adelaide Philharmonic, and The Group for Contemporary Music among others.
Pugh-Taylor Project
[Link]
Jigs Whigham, Alex Illes, Bill Reichenbach
[Link]
Slokar Trombone Quartet
[Link]
Trombones de Costa Rica
[Link]
