Alto Trombone Essentials

Alto trombone is pitched in the key of Eb or F. Along with this if the trombone has an attachment or a trigger which most likely will put the trombone in the key of Bb. The alto trombone is used mostly in orchestras because of the range that this trombone can produce. This type of trombone uses a mouthpiece with a shallower cup size than that of a tenor trombone usually uses, which makes it easier to play in a higher register.

A good tenor trombone player can play all of the notes given to an alto trombone. It's just a lot easier to play with a good tone in that register on a tenor. The bore on an alto trombone is the same as that of tenor trombones without the F attachment and few with the F attachment.

The alto trombone is read in alto clef in which the bottom line is a concert F. The following slide positions are concert notes for an Eb alto trombone. In the first position Eb2, Eb3, Bb3, Eb4, G4, Bb4, Db5, Eb5 and F5. Obviously, like all other trombones, as the slide moves down the pitch will move down a half step per slide position. If the alto that you are playing is in the key of F, you can just take each of those notes and move them up a whole step.

All about the Bass Trombone

The Bass Trombone is an amazing instrument. All of the slide positions are the same as a tenor in Bb although the F attachment is tuned to F2 instead of being tuned to C3 like that of a tenor F attachment.

In addition to that small change most bass trombones have a D trigger on it. The Mouthpiece is much deeper as well to help produce a full sound on low notes. These mouthpieces also make it harder to play high notes, but that is what the tenor and alto trombones are for. In the first position with the D trigger and the F trigger together you can play D1, D2 and D3 although the slide will have to bumped out a little. With both of these triggers and the slide in about two and a half the trombone can produce Db1 and Db2. Then with the slide at about three and a half, almost four, and both of the triggers the bass trombone can produce C1 and C2. And the last one is B0 and B1 which with both triggers can be played in four and half. Obviously you can go even further down to play Bb1, but it is only in very fast passages in which this technique would be used. Overall, bass trombonists usually don't play using the D attachment unless it is a quick transition in the first couple of positions.
The bass trombone is used in many orchestras and big bands because of the low notes being produced in a mellow and less harsh sound as the tenor trombone. The bell size is what helps create this sound.

The Basic Tuba

Tuba is the backbone of any wind ensemble, marching band or brass ensemble. It's conical shape allows this brass instrument to have a mellow yet full and rich sound. It has three or four valves depending on which tuba that you are playing. The tuba is most commonly played in the key of Bb and the fingerings that I have below are for a Bb tuba.

The tuba, like all brass instruments is played with a mouthpiece in which you buzz your lips in. The tighter that you make your lips, the higher you can play on the harmonic series.

As a brass instrument, the tuba follows the harmonic series. In the open position (no keys down) the tuba can play Bb0, Bb1, F2, Bb2, D3, F3, Ab3, Bb3, C4, and D4. When the second valve is pressed down the tuba can play A0, A1, E2, A2, Db3, E3, G3, A3, B3 and Db4. With the first valve this instrument can play Ab0, Ab1, Eb2, Ab2, C3, Eb3, Gb3, Ab3, Bb3 and C4. With the first and the second valve down the tuba can play G0, G1, D2, G2, B2, D3, F3, G3, A3 and B3. The second and third valves together can make Gb0, Gb1, Db1, Gb2, Bb2, Db3, E3, Gb3, Ab3 and Bb3. With either the fourth valve or one and three the tuba can play F0, F1, C1, F2, A2, C3, Eb3, F3, G3 and A3. And last with either the second and fourth or the first, second and third valves E0, E1, B1, E2, Ab2, B2, D3, E3, Gb3 and Ab3. The notes in bold are notes that are common for beggining tuba players and the most common fingering for these notes.

How to read music clefs

Reading music is essential for any musician. The musical alphebet consists of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G. When Going above G you are to start off on A again. When any note is flattened the note is automattically a half step lower than the original note. On the other side, any note that has a sharp is going to be moved up half a step. Sometimes there are double sharps or double flats. Any double flat is moved a full step down and any double sharp is moved a full step up.

On any clef there are five lines. Any lines extending from the clef are called ledger lines. Ledger lines help when you have really low notes or really high notes. When to many ledger lines are being used the composer may write the part in a different clef. There are four main clefs in which I am going to teach you how to read.

First I'm going to start off with the bass clef (also called the f clef). The bass clef is used by the trombone, baritone, bassoon, tuba, bass and many other instruments. The bottom line of the bass clef is an E. The top line of the bass clef is an A.

Next is the treble clef (also called the g clef). This is the most popular of all of the clefs. Oboe, flute, sax, clarinet, guitar, violin and many, many others use this clef. The bottom line of this clef is an E and the top line is an F.

The third most common clef is the tenor clef (also one of the clefs called the c clef). This clef is used by trombone, bassoon, cello, french horn and a few other select instruments. The bottom line is a D and the top line is a E.

The next clef is the alto clef (also called the c clef). It was created for the viola to eliminate the many ledger lines constantly used. It's used by the viola the alto trombone and is sometimes used by other instruments. The bottom line is an F and the top line is an G.