Fundamentals of Bass Trombone

[@douglaslusky6052]

Amazing tone!

[@lukelehmuller1203]

I noticed that you always shift your embouchure when ever you’re in the pedal range. I end up running into problems whenever I get there and have to sort of shift as well. Any tips? Anything would be helpful. Also your sound is amazing, it’s like the exact sound I think of when I think of profesional playing. :)

[@USAFBandoftheWest]

When I play in the pedal register, I try to get the mouthpiece so that my lower lip is just resting on the bottom of the mouthpiece rim, and really let my upper lip do all the work. It’s okay to play with a shift, but once you find out at which point you have to start the shift (around pedal D-flat for me), you need to practice playing a few notes above that on the shift, and a few notes below without the shift, so that there’s a zone of overlap. Then you’ll be able to move in and out of the shift really efficiently! Thanks for the kind words and happy practicing! - SrA Wood

[@lukelehmuller1203]

USAFBandoftheWest Thank you, this is really helpful.

[@krewashton264]

I know it is kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good website to watch new tv shows online ?

[@BernhardMichaelPlos]

great video and absolutely great sound!!

[@reneecoppock4404]

I'm the tuba in my highschools advanced band, and I'm learning bass trombone for the jazz band which is starting rehearsals in a couple weeks. Any tips for 1. playing in a jazz style, 2. adjusting from tuba to bass trombone (especially in regards to embouchure), and 3. what to focus on most in the short amount of time I have to learn it? Any and all advice/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@USAFBandoftheWest]

RC Dragons Hi RC! SrA Wood here. Choosing a mouthpiece is important when switching to bass trombone . I recommend starting with a Bach 1 1/2G or equivalent. Listen to great bass trombonists such as Denson Paul Pollard, James Markey, Randy Hawes, to form a sound concept. Long tones long tones long tones. Get used to the smaller mouthpiece and slide positions by playing long tones with a tuner/pitch reference. The embouchure set up can start out as 50/50 top and bottom lip. You will find your own comfortable spot and adapt as you become more familiar. Don’t over think it, just take in good air and blow.

[@USAFBandoftheWest]

RC Dragons SSgt Parker here. I’ll chime in on the jazz side. The number one thing for learning to play in a jazz style is to LISTEN! I’d recommend starting with some classic recordings like “Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson” for some great bass trombone jazz style. Also, just familiarize yourself with the big band style in general. Check out anything by Count Basie, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich Big Band, Maynard Ferguson, Clayton-Hamilton, Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and so many more! If nothing else, the “Atomic Basie” album is a great place to start. You can find most of this on KZbin. I also encourage you to explore and find big band music that appeals to your own interests. For instance, if you like video games, there’s the 8-Bit Big Band. The more you listen, the better you’ll understand what you need to do! Check it out!

[@JGood-iv9jn]

Sigh…in a past life this is what I sounded like in high school. Nice tone but the lip slurs were lacking, especially in the low register. I’ve not played in over 8 yearns and I would bet that I would sound better after 3 weeks of long tones and lip spurs only. I can guarantee my lip slurs will be better!

[@deandrebroger5564]

Okay lil bro😂

[@SpockMonroe]

Yeah, that was my experience as an older guy trying for the sound and power of days past. But it does come back, albeit I am not that powerful anymore. Good luck to you and give it a go!

[@karun1994]

Hi sir ,thanks for the video ,sir I need the all scales of b flat bass trombone can u provide me all the scales through the video with cord common ..

[@Jonavttp]

Any tips on doubling from euphonium/tuba to bass trombone? im pretty alright on technique and range, but my tone is wayy too bright. I’ve been told that the embouchure is somewhat like blowing through a straw, and i’ve been starting to try and get used to the embouchure change with long tones and lip slurs. I use my school’s getzen with a Getzen 1 1/2g for jazz and really wanna take bass trombone serious to one day play in a symphony orchestra on bass.

[@gastongilissen8211]

Thank you for this wonderful masterclass sir 🙏🙏 it was very helpfull. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@jamescw2777]

Is it easier to play a pedal c and lower with a 29.40 mm. mouthpiece or with one that is smaller

[@USAFBandoftheWest]

James CW that’s a matter of personal choice and experimentation. Everyone’s physical attributes are different, and there is no magical mouthpiece. You’ll likely find that changes in equipment are always a “tradeoff” meaning they’ll make some things easier while other things become more difficult. So it’s a matter if finding something that provides the MOST positive benefits for you as an individual, and then sticking with that piece of equipment for a long time until you’ve become intimately familiar with its capabilities. So I would check to see if you can borrow that mouthpiece for long enough to learn its pros and cons (might be weeks or a month or more). If the pros outweigh the cons, then you should buy one for yourself! -SSgt Parker, BotW trombonist

[@jamescw2777]

Thanks so much that was very helpful.

[@Aaron-ll7ho]

Thank you so much this was a lot of help 😇

[@Aaron-ll7ho]

Question why for C and F do you do to a flat-ish 2 sharp-ish 3 Dose it sound more in tune??

[@Jonavttp]

@@Aaron-ll7hoflat 2nd + gb trigger for F and C in my opinion feels better plus is more in tune usually. i was recommended it after i asked the same question to one of my private lesson teachers.

[@willmclean6840]

What make and model is that trombone and what size mouthpiece do you use with it thnx

[@jeriadwood137]

Hello! I play an M&W 929. This version of the 929 was a one off done by the folks at M&W. My mouthpiece is a Greg Black 1 1/4 GD.