Getting Started on the Trombone

Watch the videos on this page and go through the steps to review how to get started on your trombone. Hopefully I've had a chance to show each of you how to make a good sound on your trumpet mouthpiece by now. Now, make sure to practice all of the things below every day and watch the videos if you need any help. Send me a message on Google Classroom or an email if you're having trouble!

The parts of the trombone

Before your get started on the trombone, it's important to know the different parts of your instrument. Watch the video to learn about the different sections.

Make sure you can identify:

The mouthpiece
The bell section:

The tuning slide
The joining screw
The bell

The slide section:

The slide lock
The end pin
The water key

This video will show you how to open your trombone case & the different sections of you instrument

Trombone parts labeled

2. Making a sound on the mouthpiece

Now that you know the parts of your trombone, let's practice making a good sound on the mouthpiece. There are two videos to watch. The first video will show you how to position your mouth (the "band face") and the second will show you how to "buzz" into the mouthpiece.

Follow these steps:

Bring your lips together as if you're saying "mmm"
Firm up the corners of your mouth by pressing them against your teeth and get your chin flat and smooth (band face).
Lick your lips and set the mouthpiece on the center of your lips. Don't press hard! Hold the mouthpiece gently between two fingers.
Blow air into your mouthpiece with a strong, steady stream.
As you blow, bring your lips together into the "mmm" shape until you get a "buzz" sound.

WARNING: Don't puff your cheeks! Keep your corners firm and against your teeth.

Above: PERFECT trombone mouthpiece positioning:

chin is flat & smooth
corners of mouth are firm
lips are together, but not pushed in or out
mouthpiece is centered on lips

This video will show you how to set your band face and "buzz" your lips

This video will show you how to "buzz" into your mouthpiece

3. Buzzing different notes

Now that you've made some good sounds on your mouthpiece, let's practice changing the sounds of our "buzz" in the mouthpiece. This will get us ready to play the full trombone!

Practice these things every day:

Make a steady "buzz" sound on your mouthpiece, keeping your lip muscles firm & steady
Make siren sounds by using faster air and firmer corners to make the "buzz" sound go higher

Don't play your trombone yet! Just practice your buzzing and work on making really good, strong & steady sounds. Take big breaths and see how long you can sustain a note for.

Watch this video to learn how to make higher and lower "buzz" sounds on your mouthpiece

4. Putting the trombone together

Next week, we'll be playing on the entire trombone. Watch the video to review how to put it together. Follow the directions below:

A few tips:

Take your slide out of the case
Make sure the slide lock is in the locked position
P
Your left ring finger goes into the slide ring
Your right hand should keep a "claw" shape
Your tips of your right fingers should rest on the three valves and your pinky should rest on the finger hook
Your right thumb should be tucked under the lead pipe between the first and second valves

Keep your elbows in and your trumpet straight when playing

Watch this video to put together your trombone

Above: Correct left hand placement

Above: Correct right hand placement

5. Caring for your trumpet

It's important to care for your trumpet by emptying your water and oiling your valves. Watch the video to learn about those two things.

Emptying your water:

After playing for a few minutes, condensation will build up in your trumpet (it's just water, not spit!). It will make a gurgling noise if you don't empty it out. To empty it, put your lips around the mouthpiece and blow gently while pressing down on the water key.

Watch this video to learn how to empty your water and oil your valves

Work on these things every day this week. Try to spend around 15 minutes a day making good "buzzing" sounds on your mouthpiece, and holding the trumpet with correct hand positioning. We'll start to play the full instrument next week!

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