Vanderbilt University Trombone Studio

Required Tools and Materials

For Tenor and Bass Trombonists

Tenor Trombone students should come to their first class each year with the following items:

• A large-bore [.547 bore] trombone with "F" attachment and an appropriate mouthpiece ;-)
• Music
  • Arban's Complete Method
  • Bordogni, Etudes Volume 1, Tezak Edition
  • Schlossberg, Daily Drills and Technical Studies
  • Blazevitch, Studies in Clefs
  • All other music that the student owns
• A 6 liter breathing bag
• An Inspiron, incentive spirometer
• A mouthpiece rim on a stick or handle
• A trombone stand
• A folding, portable, music stand
• Mutes (preferably Jo-Ral)
  • Straight Mute
  • Cup Mute
• A digital metronome with sound output (preferably LOUD!)
• A digital tuner (sound output)
• A recording and playback device. A Minidisc (or Minidisk) recorder is small, convenient and durable. A model I like is the Sony MZ-N10 paired with the Sony ECM-MS957 stereo microphone. This will give excellent fidelity and be useful for a multitude of recording duties, including class when appropriate! The Sony ECM-MS907 microphone is less expensive and also quite good. You can look here for a good price.
• Optional Items
  • A cutaway mouthpiece. These are available from Marcinkowitz mouthpieces, but are cheaper to just make (or have made) from an extra mouthpiece.
  • A lightweight Gig-bag for daily transport is highly desirable
  • A separate carry-bag or backpack for mutes, equipment and music.

For Tenor Trombone Performance Majors

• No later than the Fall Semester of the Junior year each Tenor Trombone Performance Major must have exclusive use of an Alto Trombone. Having an Alto Trombone earlier than this is highly recommended.
• One work on the Senior Recital must be performed on Alto Trombone. In addition, orchestral works written for the Alto Trombone should also be performed on that instrument.

Bass Trombone students should come to their first class each year with the following items:

• A Bass Trombone with "F-G" (or G-flat) attachments - this may be dependant or independent. Independent is recommended.
• An appropriate mouthpiece ;-)
• Music
  • Arban's Complete Method
  • Bordogni, Etudes Volume 1, Tezak Edition
  • Schlossberg, Daily Drills and Technical Studies
  • Blazevitch, Studies in Clefs
  • All other music that the student owns
• A 6 liter breathing bag
• An Inspiron, incentive spirometer
• A bass trombone mouthpiece rim on a stick or handle
• A trombone stand
• A folding, portable, music stand
• Mutes (preferably Jo-Ral)
  • Straight Mute
  • Cup Mute
• A digital metronome with sound output (preferably LOUD!)
• A digital tuner (sound output)
• A recording and playback device. A Minidisc (or Minidisk) recorder is small, convenient and durable. A model I like is the Sony MZ-N10 paired with the Sony ECM-MS957 stereo microphone. This will give excellent fidelity and be useful for a multitude of recording duties, including class when appropriate! The Sony ECM-MS907 microphone is less expensive and also quite good. You can look here for a good price.
• Optional Items
  • A cutaway mouthpiece. These are available from Marcinkowitz mouthpieces, but are cheaper to just make (or have made) from an extra mouthpiece.
  • A lightweight Gig-bag for daily transport is highly desirable
  • A separate carry-bag or backpack for mutes, equipment and music.

Almost all of these materials can be purchased from Hickey's Music, but the source of the materials is unimportant. Just have them, so we don't waste time at the beginning of the semester. If you have any questions contact me and we'll figure out what options exist.