Brass Pedagogy and Student Resources

This page gathers resources for brass students, families, teachers, and lifelong learners, with a particular emphasis on trombone and low-brass study. The materials and reflections here are shaped by Dr. Fielding’s background as a brass musician, music theorist, and educator.

Musical Formation and Trombone Teaching Lineage

My work as a music educator is grounded in both scholarly training and applied musical study. As a trombonist and brass musician, I have been fortunate to study within a distinguished lineage that includes Jim Eager of Symphony Nova Scotia, Herb Schoales, Nathaniel Brickens, Tim Conner, and David Sporny.

Herb Schoales brought a rich performer-educator background to that lineage. After service as a U.S. Army bandsman during World War II, he studied brass at The Juilliard School in New York and later completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education at Columbia University. While living in New York, he performed as a trombonist with organizations including the Metropolitan Opera, the Long Island Symphony, and Radio City Music Hall, and also performed with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops.

Nathaniel Brickens, with whom I studied at the University of Missouri-Columbia, is Professor of Trombone at the University of Texas at Austin and represents a direct connection to the broader professional trombone community. He served as President of the International Trombone Association from 2002–2004 and has been widely recognized as a performer, teacher, and advocate for the trombone. His commitment to advancing trombone choir repertoire and sustaining the International Trombone Association (ITA) Manuscript Press, prior to its affiliation with Warwick Music, helped grow my awareness and appreciation championing new repertoire for trombone.

Tim Conner, my trombone professor at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, has had a distinguished career as a performer and teacher. His work includes university studio teaching, trombone pedagogy, chamber music, the Frost Trombone Choir, orchestral performance, and significant contributions to contemporary trombone repertoire. David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble was written for Tim Conner and conductor Gary Green, and Conner was the soloist for the Frost Wind Ensemble’s world premiere of the work. This connection is especially meaningful within my own trombone lineage, linking applied study, university wind ensemble culture, commissioning, and the development of new repertoire for the instrument.

David Sporny adds another important dimension to this lineage through his work across classical and jazz traditions. His career included teaching at Interlochen and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, founding jazz studies activity at Interlochen, performing internationally, and working with major artists in both classical and jazz settings.

This performer-teacher lineage continues to shape how I think about tone, phrasing, disciplined practice, stylistic flexibility, musical responsibility, and the relationship between performance, pedagogy, and lifelong musicianship.

Essential Brass Care Supplies

Most brass students need a small set of reliable supplies to keep their instrument working well between lessons, rehearsals, and performances. Good maintenance does not need to be complicated, but using the wrong product in the wrong place can make an instrument harder to play or create repair problems.

Trombone Slide Care

A smooth, clean handslide is essential for trombone playing. Students should use products designed specifically for trombone handslides and should avoid ordinary valve oil, heavy grease, or household lubricants on the slide.

Useful supplies may include trombone slide lubricant, a small water spray bottle, a cleaning rod, a flexible cleaning snake, and a microfiber cloth. I have been using Slide-O-Mix since the 1990's. For those preferring a slide cream, I have found Trombotine to be excellent and long-lasting, especially when combined with Superslick's Plus Slide Treatment.

Valve, Rotor & Linkage Care

Euphoniums, baritones, tubas, and trombones with F attachment may require different products for piston valves, rotors, bearings, and linkages. Students should use the product type recommended by a teacher, repair technician, or manufacturer and should avoid over-oiling.

Hetman has a wide range of trusted lubricants for all manner of piston valves, rotor valves, slides, bearings, linkages, and other brass-instrument care needs. I personally use Classic Piston with my euphonium and a light rotor valve lubricant with a needle nose applicator for my alto, tenor, and bass trombones with attachments. 

Useful supplies: piston valve oil, rotor oil, bearing/linkage oil, tuning slide lubricant, and a clean cloth.

Useful for: euphonium, baritone, tuba, bass trombone, and F-attachment trombone students.

Tuning Slide Grease

Tuning slides need a lubricant that allows movement when needed while helping the slide stay securely in place during playing. Standard brass tuning slide grease is usually the safest starting point for students.

Advanced note: High Vacuum Grease

I use a tiny amount of Dow Corning High Vacuum Grease on my tuning slides. I bought one tube in the late 1990's and I am still using it for all my brass instruments. This is not a trombone slide lubricant and should not be used on valves or rotors. 

Cleaning Tools

Basic cleaning supplies can help students maintain a cleaner, more reliable instrument. Useful items may include a mouthpiece brush, flexible cleaning snake, microfiber cloth, trombone cleaning rod, valve casing brush for piston instruments, and a small water spray bottle for trombone slide care. 

For those wanting to explore a niche company, Monster Oil has some interesting instrument care kits and brass lubricants, including plant-based options.

Stands, Cases & Practice Accessories

Some accessories make home practice safer and more consistent. A sturdy music stand, appropriate instrument stand, pencil, folder, and safe storage routine can help students practice more effectively and avoid preventable damage.

Students should ask a teacher before purchasing specialty mouthpieces, practice mutes, or major accessories that may affect playing habits.

Mouthpieces and Marching Band

As a retired Army reserve force musician, I am mindful of the possibility of facial bruising in marching band accidents.

While I personally use a Doug Elliott Mouthpiece that lets me use a Lexan rim for such outdoor performances, Kelly Mouthpieces offers entire Lexan mouthpieces in a range of colors that I have purchased for my nieces. Amazon has a wide range of images of the Kelly Mouthpieces that can help inform your aesthetic choices if you opt for a school-colored mouthpiece.

Finding a Quality Used Low Brass Instrument

A well-maintained used instrument from a reputable shop can be an excellent value, especially when a student is outgrowing a beginner instrument or needs a more durable school, audition, or ensemble instrument. However, used instruments vary widely in condition, and repair costs can quickly erase any savings.

Before buying, consider:

• Ask the student’s teacher, band director, or an experienced brass player before purchasing.

• For trombone, make sure the handslide moves freely and quietly. A damaged slide can be expensive to repair.

• For euphonium, baritone, or tuba, make sure valves move smoothly and tuning slides pull.

• Confirm whether the instrument includes a usable case and mouthpiece.

• Review return, trial, shipping, and repair policies before purchasing online.

• Be cautious with marketplace listings that have poor photos, unclear descriptions, or prices that seem too good to be true. 

• To make an informed decision about purchasing a used trombone online that you can't play test yourself, I once hired a local to the seller brass repair technician to inspect/play test the instrument to give me an instrumental bill of health to help inform my purchase.

Places to Begin Looking for Used Brass Instruments

The Brass Exchange

A brass-focused shop specializing in professional, vintage, and pre-owned trombones and other brass instruments. The Brass Exchange describes its inventory as including inspected, serviced, and play-tested instruments unless otherwise noted, with specifications, condition notes, and high-resolution photography. 

The Tuba Exchange

A source for new and used tubas, euphoniums, sousaphones, marching brass, trombones, accessories, repair services, and consignment. 

Baltimore Brass Company

A brass and woodwind shop listing instruments in stock, including trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, and marching brass. Baltimore Brass also emphasizes sales guidance, rentals, and repair services.

Dillon Music

A long-established music retailer with brass, woodwind, accessories, and repair services. Dillon lists used and demo trombones and has broad brass categories including trombones, euphoniums, tubas, parts, and accessories. 

Houghton Horns

A brass shop offering sales, repairs, rentals, accessories, music, and print resources. Although especially known for horn, Houghton Horns also describes repair services for brass instruments including trombones and tubas. 

Reverb: Brass Instruments

A large online marketplace for new and used brass instruments. Because listings come from many different sellers, buyers should read descriptions carefully, check seller ratings, and understand return policies before purchasing. 

New Instruments

Some families prefer to buy a new instrument. For major purchases, especially trombones with F attachment, euphoniums, tubas, or bass trombones, consult a teacher before buying. Known student and intermediate models may be appropriate for some students, but very inexpensive new instruments can vary widely in quality, durability, intonation, and repairability.

My very first trombone was a Yamaha YSL-354 that I got from my local music store as it was the only option available. It served me until I was taking lessons and wanted to get a horn with an F attachment. Online marketplaces may list known-brand instruments alongside many inexpensive beginner instruments from varied brands, so families should review listings carefully and seek teacher input before purchasing. 

Low Brass Repertoire, Etudes & Study Collections

For several standard low-brass works, students and teachers may wish to compare three kinds of resources: a public-domain or historical source, a budget or standard student edition, and, when available, a scholarly, critical, Urtext, or premium performance edition. These categories serve different purposes. Public-domain sources are useful for access and historical comparison; standard editions are often practical for lessons and rehearsals; scholarly or premium editions may offer editorial notes, source comparison, performance commentary, clearer engraving, or accompaniment materials. 

Note: Not every low-brass standard has a true Urtext edition. When a true Urtext or critical edition is not readily available, I have identified a modern edited or premium performance edition instead. Public-domain status varies by country, and modern editorial work, commentary, layout, and accompaniment realizations may be protected even when the underlying composition is public-domain. 

Herb Schoales: Advanced Duets, Volumes 1, Volume 2

My first university trombone professor was Herb (Herbert) Schoales. Following a successful teaching and performance career in New York, I had the good fortune to study with him for five years. During those lessons he composed various duets that led to these collection volumes. He created many other works, including trombone chamber music and pedagogical materials that I treasure, and I am glad that his duets continue his pedagogical legacy.

Rochut/Bordogni: Melodious Etudes for Trombone

Rochut’s 120 Melodious Etudes, based on the vocalises of Marco Bordogni, is one of the central lyrical study collections for trombone and related low brass. A public-domain historical source is available through IMSLP: Rochut, 120 Melodious Etudes. IMSLP identifies the 1928 Carl Fischer publication and lists Book 1 as containing etudes 1–60. For a practical modern edition, students and teachers may consider the currently available Carl Fischer edition. The Alan Raph revised Carl Fischer edition is re-engraved and corrected, and listings describe it as including Bordogni piano accompaniments with audio and printable PDF resources.

Best for: developing through advanced trombonists, euphoniumists, bass trombonists, and tubists working on lyrical study, auditions, phrasing, tone, legato, and long-term musical expression. 

O. Blume: 36 Studies for Trombone 

Blume’s 36 Etüden für Posaune is a standard technical and musical study collection used in trombone and euphonium teaching. A public-domain source is available through IMSLP: Blume, 36 Etüden für Posaune, identifying the work as first published in 1882. For a standard student edition, the Carl Fischer / Reginald Fink edition remains a familiar practical choice. A newer Wesley Jacobs edition is also available through Encore Music Publishers and advertises itself as newly engraved, revised, and error-corrected, though it should not necessarily be treated as a traditional scholarly Urtext edition. 

Best for: intermediate and advancing trombonists or euphoniumists who need focused technical studies alongside lyrical work.

Kopprasch: 60 Selected Studies

Kopprasch’s etudes come from the horn study tradition and have become standard technical material for many brass instruments. IMSLP lists 60 Etudes for Low-Horn, Op. 6 as first published in 1833: Kopprasch, 60 Etudes for Low-Horn, Op. 6. For practical use, modern trombone and tuba editions are available. Carl Fischer and International Music Company have enjoyed a lengthy tenure, and a variety of newer editions such as Sothis Press. For a more scholarly or critical point of reference, Douglas Yeo discusses Benny Sluchin’s Brass Urtext critical approach to Kopprasch editions: Douglas Yeo on Kopprasch. Availability may vary, so this is best treated as a critical-edition reference rather than a simple purchase link.

Best for: intermediate and advanced low-brass students building articulation, range, accuracy, flexibility, clef fluency, and technical facility. 

Emory Remington: Warm-Up Exercises

This is a classic warm-up routine that I learned through my first trombone instructor Jim Eager. It is a classic and helps build tone, flexibility, and technique. I am so glad to see it still in print, with various editions for other low brass instruments. Available from Accura Music and distributors such as Amazon.

Some solo repertoire

Galliard: Six Sonatas for Trombone and Piano

These sonatas are Baroque works originally associated with bassoon/continuo sources and have long been adapted for trombone and piano. A public-domain source is available through IMSLP: Galliard, Six Bassoon Sonatas. For a standard practical edition, International Music Company editions are widely used. For a larger premium performance edition, Cherry Classics offers Mike Hall’s edition for trombone and keyboard/continuo.

Best for: developing and intermediate trombonists preparing recital, contest, examination, or studio-class repertoire, especially students learning Baroque style, articulation, sequence, and accompanied performance. 

Guilmant: Morceau symphonique, op. 88

A classic trombone-and-piano solo and a strong bridge from study literature into standard performance repertoire. IMSLP hosts several public-domain sources, including the Durand first edition and an early Schott edition. For a budget edition, Kalmus offers an inexpensive edition for trombone and piano. For a scholarly premium edition, G. Henle Verlag publishes an Urtext edition based on the autograph and first edition.

Best for: advancing trombonists and euphoniumists preparing serious solo repertoire, auditions, examinations, and accompanied performance.

For listening, students may enjoy Abbie Conant’s performance of this work on her recording Trombone & Organ. Beyond her orchestral and pedagogical expertise, I have also appreciated her generosity as a scholar-performer. When I was preparing a doctoral essay and presentation on Berio’s Sequenza V, she kindly shared materials that helped deepen my understanding of the work. 

Saint-Saëns: Cavatine, op. 144

This standard advanced trombone-and-piano work is especially useful for developing mature tone, phrasing, control, and recital or audition preparation. IMSLP hosts manuscript and first-edition materials for Saint-Saëns’s Cavatine, op. 144. For a standard modern edition, Durand’s edition is available through Hal Leonard. For scholarly study, various Urtext or scholarly editions exist, including a 2001 Durand edition and a 2009 G. Henle Verlag Urtext edition. If using any modern edition, students should remember that editorial notes, commentary, layout, and engraving may be protected even when the underlying composition is public domain in some jurisdictions.

Best for: advanced high-school, precollege, and college-level trombonists developing mature sound, phrase control, and accompanied solo performance.

For viewing, watch Megumi Kanda’s 2023 Southeast Trombone Symposium performance on YouTube. I have a special appreciation for her musical lineage because I enjoyed rehearsing under and performing with her mentor, James DeSano, while I was at Oberlin. I have also appreciated her publications, including The One Hundred and Trombone Unlimited, as valuable resources for serious trombone study (Encore Music Publications). 

Fielding Music Education Press: Future Low-Brass Study Materials

Fielding Music Education Press is developing teacher-assignable study materials for selected low-brass repertoire, including guided practice packets, phrase and breath maps, source notes, and audition or examination preparation support. These materials are intended to supplement, not replace, standard repertoire collections, private instruction, and official syllabus or audition requirements.

IMSLP Trombone Studies and Solos: An Annotated Bibliography

Explore 27 carefully selected trombone studies, methods, warm-ups, and solos available through IMSLP, organized by pedagogical category and approximate difficulty.  This free 16-page annotated bibliography helps trombone teachers, band directors, and developing players locate and evaluate useful music available through IMSLP. Each entry includes a direct hyperlink, approximate level and range, clef considerations, pedagogical objectives, a teacher’s note, a student practice prompt, and copyright or file-status guidance.

External Resource Notice

External resources are linked for educational convenience. Fielding Music Education does not sell, inspect, repair, or guarantee instruments or supplies listed by external sellers. Product availability, pricing, condition, suitability, return policies, and shipping terms may change. Families should consult a private teacher, band director, or qualified repair technician before making major instrument purchases or using unfamiliar products on an instrument.

Affiliate Disclosure

Fielding Music Education participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Fielding Music Education earns from qualifying purchases. Some links may be affiliate links. Resources are selected for educational relevance; affiliate participation does not determine whether a resource is included.