Now that you have learned and solidified the proper embouchure for the trombone, it is time to get the slide involved and add some notes!
Slide Positions
Below is a rough guide for where each position is on the trombone. Be aware that each trombone is different and you will ultimately need to use your ears to put the slide in the correct place. This will become easier as you train your ear to recognize the correct sound and pitch of each note.
1st Position is with the slide all the way in.
2nd Position is approximately 2.5" out from 1st position and about midway between 1st and 3rd positions.
3rd Position is with your right hand just before the bell.
4th Position is with the end of the slide just past the bell.
5th Position is approximately 4" out from 4th position and about midway between 4th and 6th positions.
6th Position is approximately am arms-length out, though this is a very rough estimate since arm lengths vary between players.
7th Position is all the way out on the slide, which is challenging for most young players to reach.
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Beginning Band / Method Book Notes
If you already are or plan on being in your school's band program, chances are you have or will receive a beginning method book. These books are designed so that students on ALL instruments can learn and play together on similar notes as they start their adventures in band! The first of these notes are usually, in concert pitch and on the trombone, B-flat, C, D, E-flat, and F, which also happen to be the perfect starting notes for the instrument! You may have already learned how to play these notes and what they look like on the music staff, but in case you haven't you can learn that here as well! As you work your way through this set of 5 notes, when playing each note remember to re-form the "M" embouchure, place the mouthpiece comfortably centered on your lips, take a deep breath, and blow with the same amount of air pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles. Examples of each note are available for you to listen to in order to get the correct sound in your ear, and you can even play along with the video to help you match the pitch and sound you are hearing.
*** TIP: If your comfortable starting note is 'F', then you should work your way down from F to E-flat to D to C to B-flat. If your comfortable starting note is 'B-flat', then you should work your way up from B-flat to C to D to E-flat to F. ***
*** TIP: If your comfortable starting note is 'F', then you should work your way down from F to E-flat to D to C to B-flat. If your comfortable starting note is 'B-flat', then you should work your way up from B-flat to C to D to E-flat to F. ***
For the next note (C), if your trombone has an F-trigger attachment, using the trigger will allow you to play this C in 1st position. This will help facilitate better technique and sound on the note especially for players with shorter arms. If your trombone does not have an F-trigger attachment, you will need to play the C in 6th position.
As you are practicing and playing your first 5 notes, what do you hear? Are you matching pitch and sound and playing with the best tone possible? Or do you hear a lot of rushing air, thin and pinched sounds, or "egging" notes? If you need to, re-visit the Troubleshooting section of the Embouchure page until you are able to master the correct tone of these 5 notes on the trombone!
Flying Along! ...
Now that you have mastered your first notes on the trombone, it is time to go over some information regarding Intonation!