Belwin 21st Century Band Method, Level 3: Trombone Book

This Level 3 book respects the maturity of your third-year students without abandoning accessibility. The progression through eight units, each introducing new key signatures, gives students a clear roadmap for developing tonal literacy, while the inclusion of swing rhythms, mixed meters, and syncopated passages keeps the material musically engaging rather than purely technical. The mix of popular songs (Take Five, Caravan, Proud Mary) alongside folk music and commissioned works by Carl Strommen and Mike Story makes it easy to program performance opportunities that feel relevant to your students' musical lives.

A confident step forward. The music moves beyond exercise-based learning into genuine repertoire, whether that's the jazz swing of Caravan or the folk traditions represented in pieces from around the world. Students encounter rock and jazz idioms alongside classical forms, creating a sense that band music spans many musical languages.

Trombonists completing their third year of band study, ready for greater harmonic sophistication and stylistic variety. This book serves students who have mastered basic technique and are prepared to tackle extended keys, mixed meters, and rhythmic complexity without losing musical fluency.

• Isolate syncopated passages in rehearsal by clapping the rhythm before playing. Third-year trombonists often rush syncopated figures; locking the rhythm section first gives the rest of the band confidence.
• Approach swing-style excerpts by establishing the feel first without worrying about note accuracy. Once your students hear and feel the push-back rhythm, intonation and articulation fall into place naturally.
• Use the Duet Plus selections to strengthen your weaker players without pulling them from full ensemble rehearsals. Pairing them with stronger students builds confidence while maintaining forward progress.
• Prepare students for key changes by writing out the new key signature and having them play scales in that key before tackling the piece itself. Mixed meter pieces demand similar groundwork, starting with rhythm patterns in isolation.

Build your winter and spring concert programming around the commissioned pieces and performance selections built into Units 2, 4, 6, and 8. This structure lets you work toward defined recital opportunities throughout the year rather than scrambling for performance material separately. The popular song selections are ideal for pops concerts or family events, while the classical and folk material serves your more formal concert programming.

• Reading and playing in major and minor keys with changing key signatures
• Mixed meter reading (combining 3/4 and 4/4 within single pieces)
• Swing rhythm articulation and feel
• Syncopated rhythm interpretation in various styles
• Jazz and rock style playing conventions
• Solo performance with band accompaniment
• Small ensemble collaboration through Duet Plus selections
• Sight-reading across diverse musical genres and cultural styles