This is a self help guide for Trombonists. It is a guide only, and as such requires each Trombonist to determine her/his own work load and technique. I recommend that such technical work not exceed 50% of total practice time. Bear in mind the principles of practice and warm-up as outlined in the handout, especially as regards concentration and regular rest. All basic technical areas must be regularly covered and of course, weaknesses given special emphasis.

Self-Sufficiency is Freedom: Enjoy the independence and flourish from the responsibility of planning and executing your development. The challenge of tackling your own problems. Allowing your teacher to move into more creative areas.

Let Your Head Do The Work: Encourage maximum development by the application of regular, intelligent and cool practice. Whatever time you spend with your instrument should be at the very least enjoyable, if not challenging and rewarding as well.

Time is Money: By considering what you need to practice, or even how you should practice away from the instrument, you can save a lot of counterproductive wear and tear on your embouchure. Not to mention suicidal neighbours. Utilize your time more efficiently and enjoyably:

Establish your Status Quo in writing, in as much detail as possible. (Range, Endurance, Finesse, Velocity, etc.)

Project development required and maintain a written practice record. (You will take practice more seriously!!)

Organize your practice away from the instrument, balancing repetition and variation of material, substituting brains for brawn as much as possible.
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Milk The Experts: Think of the hundreds of years combined experience of musicians such as Arban, Schlossberg, Remington and Tuckwell. Use their experience, collect their material- create a practice materials list from which to collate your practice. Adapt their exercises to your needs. Even write your own if you can’t find one to fit the bill.

Michael Mulcahy is Solo Trombonist of the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra. He was born in Sydney and studied with his father Jack, Baden McCarron and Geoff Bailey. He has won International Competitions in Munich, Vercelli and Marneukirchen.

(note- Mr. Mulcahy is currently 2nd trombone in the Chicago Symphony.- JR)