Colby Norton Bass Trombone Kentucky All State 2020-2021 Blazhevich #11

A quick read of the 2020-2021 Kentucky All-State Bass Trombone Excerpt Blazhevich #11 from 70 Studies for Bb Tuba Volume 1. I like to play the pieces that my students are working on allowing my natural tendencies (tone, tempo, rhythm, intonation problems, style, and so on) to exist.  This gives me an idea of possible problems that may occur during a lesson so that I can have a game plan on how to fix said problem.

FINALLY, they chose an actual piece that demonstrates what the bass trombone should be able to do! I channeled my inner Dave Taylor on this one trying to get as much tone out of the shortness of notes. Listening back though, I would compromise and lengthen the notes just a bit. If you play this before or after the Bordogni, it will be clear you are making an attempt at playing short. Now that style is out of the way, there are a LOT of notes to deal with. So play it slow…be precise with every note. I also suggest playing small chunk at a time first all gliss, then as is. You want the follow through in air to complete the phrases while also catch the cello like pizzicato style.

The first three lines I would keep as soft as I can with gradual crescendoes on any passage that moves chromatically.

I would continue this pattern throughout as it also helps you tank up to fully support the sound as you progress through the etude.

At the L’istesso tempo I wouldn’t try to go too fast too soon as this involves a lot of valve work. Again, I suggest glissing the passages and letting the air do the work. If you want some help with your low valve register visit my store and download any or all of my lines to help for FREE!

Seeing that there is a dynamic change coming up, I would use a gradual accelerando to intensify the forte ONLY to allow me to quickly come back down to pianissimo two bars later.

Then gradually crescendoing (like notated) to the apex of the etude leading to the high Bb. Which in my take here, I hated! I gassed it up to much and it was unfocused and not short at all. Don’t fall into the trap thinking “here is my chance to really be loud. You’ll just make the same mistake I did. This top note isn’t as important as you think so just play it cool and with a good sound.

The last phrase to the end is just a repeat with a few alterations of the beginning. I followed the same guidelines as before with my dynamics but added a crescendo to the last bar to make it feel a little more complete.

The purpose of this etude is to see if you can play low, soft and short… LSS if you haven’t heard the term before. This is your chance basses, show them you aren’t just a tenor player with a big mouthpiece but someone who understands how to use the horn for what it was meant for, THE BASEMENT!

Book a lesson with me if you want some personal feedback or a more in depth look at this excerpt!