Accent on Achievement, Book 3: Trombone Book

Book 3 shifts into serious technical work without abandoning the musical engagement that made Books 1 and 2 successful. The systematic exploration of all 12 major and minor keys combined with targeted lip slur exercises gives your brass section real tools for expanding range and intonation control, and the chorale-based approach means students develop those skills through actual music-making rather than isolated drills.

The book strikes a balance between discipline and musicality. The 12-key progression keeps the mind engaged and focused, while the chorale settings and lip slur work build physical confidence. Students feel themselves growing stronger and more capable as they complete this book.

Book 3 is designed for trombonists who have completed Books 1 and 2 and are ready to tackle systematic key exploration and expanded range. This is the appropriate level for students in grades 6-8 who have built core technique and are prepared for the rhythmic complexity and harmonic sophistication that intermediate band literature demands.

• Work through the lip slur exercises consistently before rehearsal; even five minutes of focused warm-up will improve the section's ability to tackle the melodic passages and technical demands in the concurrent studies and chorales.
• Assign the chorale material strategically across your week. Use them as daily warm-ups so students internalize each key center rather than cramming unfamiliar tonalities into a single rehearsal session.
• Balance the technical studies with the full band arrangements from earlier books; returning to familiar repertoire builds confidence while students solidify these new intermediate skills.

Use Book 3 as the backbone of your intermediate band curriculum during the second or third year of instruction. The systematic key work prepares students for the chromatic and modulating passages they'll encounter in standard concert band repertoire, making the transition to standard literature smoother and more musically rewarding.

• Sight-reading and playing in all 12 major and minor keys
• Lip slur technique for expanding range and flexibility on trombone
• Rhythmic accuracy in intermediate time signatures and note values
• Intonation control in ensemble contexts through chorale singing
• Harmonic awareness through voice-leading in chorale arrangements