These are the 4 "Secrets" that I have discovered from over 30 years of playing jazz/funk/latin trombone. Any of these four elements are being implemented at any given time in order to achieve a challenging goal on trombone = to play smooth, effortless and in time!
(as demonstrated on numerous recordings by jazz trombone greats Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, JJ Johnson, Frank Rosolino, and many others including Bob McChesney - author of doodle studies book)
Listed in order of importance and ease of learning:
1. Natural Slurs
2. Alternate Positions
3. Ghosting Notes
4. Doodle Tonguing
Secret #1 - NATURAL SLURS
This first video tutorial of this 4-part series discusses and demonstrates the first required technique of Natural Slurs (a requirement for any type of brass playing). The goal is to play smoother, more connected notes (and work less!) by simply allowing the natural design of the trombone overtone series (partials) do most of the work for you.
In order to do this, you must understand how the trombone is designed and how it functions.
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This is a FREE full-length 6min video tutorial from DKOLessons.com