Trombone for the begginers.

Let's start with the basics. The tenor trombone is one of the most diverse instruments used all over the world. It is used as the backbone of bands and orchestras because of it's exstensive range below the bass clef up to the the middle of the treble clef. Truly a powerful instrument, the tenor trombone is used in many different genres of music from marching bands to orchestras, from jazz music to rock music.

1.tuning slide
2.counterweight
3.mouthpiece
4.slide lock ring
5.bell
6.knob/bumper
7.water key/spit valve
8.main slide
9.second slide brace
10.first slide brace connector nut

As a brass instrument the trombone is played by buzzing your lips on the mouthpiece. The trombone follows the harmonic series also. The harmonic series is the series in which harmonics are played through vibrations. As a Bb instrument the tenor trombone is placed one octave below trumpet and one octave above tuba. In this harmonic series the first position which is all the way in to slightly out on the slide has Bb1, Bb2, F3, Bb3, D4, F4, Ab4, Bb4, C5, D5, E5, and F5. The second position has A1, A2, E2, A3, Db4, E4, G4, A4, B4, Db5, Eb5 and E5. The third position has Ab1, Ab2, Eb3, Ab3, C4, Eb4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4, C5, D5 and Eb5. The fouth position has the notes G1, G2, D3, G3, B3, D4, F4, G4, A4, B4, Db5 and D5. The fifth position has Gb1, Gb2, Db3, Gb3, Bb3, Db4, E4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4, C5 and Db5. The sixth position has F1, F2, C3, F3, A3, C4, Eb4, F4, G4, A4, B4 and C5. The last position, the seventh position, has E1, E2, B3, E3, Ab3, B3, D4, E4, Gb4, Ab4, Bb4 and B4. The notes above in bold are the ones used most often by begginers. Although some used more than others, alternate positions can make some things much easier. Especialy going from B3 to Bb3 or vise versa.

The tenor trombone is written in the key of C although played in the key of Bb. This type of trombone is played in the bass clef, tenor clef and occasionally Bb treble clef, although begginers usually only use the bass clef.

When playing the trombone the goal is to keep the corners of your lips tight making impossible to let air escape from your lips. The tighter that your lips are, the higher you can play up the harmonic series. Therefore, when your lips are loose, you can play lower down the harmonic series. The goal on trombone is to move your slide at the exact same time that you toungue. Otherwise the sound is changed dramatically. And not in a good way either.