[Dixielandjazz] First position on the trombone

[Stan Brager]

Jim;

I'm answering off-line as I don't believe that this discussion would be of
interest to the DJML list members.

Thanks for your views, Jim, as a young player (68) just starting out, I'm
interested in what advice you old-timers can offer.

Seriously, my teacher does play trombone but his main horn is the trumpet.
However, he does teach many trombonists and is in demand for studio work.
His advice on moving first position stems from his conversations with
trombonists with whom he plays. I myself have spoken with many locals who
have also moved the first position. Several of these have said that it gives
them the flexibility they need when playing to keep in tune with other
players without having to move the tuning slide all the time.

Yes, it's true that by moving first position means adjusting where the other
6 positions are located. Yet, learning to do this is not a big deal.
Especially, when one's ears (read mine) aren't well trained in the first
place.

Also, the clang was an annoying problem for me when I first started to learn
the trombone. Often when moving quickly from 7th to 1st position, I thought
that my teeth were going to be damaged by the slide.

Based on this conversation, I'll post a survey on the trombone mailing list
to determine what others say. If you're interested, I'll let you know the
results.

Stan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Kashishian" <kash at ran.es>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 3:02 PM
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] First position on the trombone


> Stan wrote:
> When I was taking my first trombone lessons, my teacher told me that many
> players adjust their tuning slides to have first position out from the
> closed position for 3 reasons. One was for slide vibrato, another was to
> keep the trombone in tune as the temperature changes, and the third was to
> avoid a clang when the slide is brought quickly to the first position.
>
> And, I comment:
>
> Oops, Stan.  Did your trombone teacher actually play the trombone?  :>
>
> Seriously, I don't wish to get anyone's backs up, and I'm not the last
word
> in this sort of thing....but, I'll have to think about it (maybe pay
> attention while playing?) to see if I use slide vibrato in 1st. position.
I
> kind of doubt it, though.  There are always false positions if one feels
he
> must use the slide vibrato on a note normally played in first position.
>
> Tuning as the temperature changes....one normally uses the tuning slide
for
> those adjustments, in spite of "rusty" Bob.  :>
>
> For tuning to other member's problems, that's what thems chops are for.
>
> Clanging in first position?  First of all, there should be a cork at the
top
> of your slide.  If there isn't, go to the repair shop.  It's a little
piece
> of cork in the shape of a ring (like the one on your finger).  Secondly,
if
> you hit the top, then you haven't got much control on your slide.
>
> If 1st is lowered, than all your other positions must be lower.  I know
> we're only talking a tiny bit, but a tiny bit flat is flat/or a bit sharp
is
> sharp!
>
> What do I know about it?  Dunno, only been doing it steadily for 52 yrs
now,
> 25 as a studio session musician.
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>