Mantis Dance: Trombone Solo and Piano Book

A creature in motion. The sharp, syncopated energy of the dance sections gives way to graceful, swaying passages that feel like a completely different animal. The interplay between angular and flowing keeps the ear engaged throughout.

Grade 2 trombonists ready to expand beyond simple ballads into character-driven work. This sits perfectly for students who've mastered basic slide positions and need experience managing contrasting tempos and articulations within one piece.

• Establish the 2/4 sections with crisp articulation and bright tone; the 'heavy' character comes from weight in the attack, not speed.
• Shape the waltz passages as true melodic lines rather than accompaniment figures, even though the piano carries significant harmonic responsibility.
• Balance the solo voice against the piano part using dynamics marked in the score as your guide; Grade 2 students often need explicit reminders that softer passages still require full sound support.

Pair this with another Grade 2 solo to create a short recital set that showcases range and versatility. The dance character and moderate length make it especially useful in student recital settings or informal concert contexts where you want something memorable without the time investment of a full concerto.

• Articulation control across contrasting tempos (staccato 2/4 versus legato waltz passages)
• Dynamic shaping in lyrical sections
• Reading and performing in 2/4 and 3/4 time signatures
• Coordination with piano accompaniment and responding to harmonic support
• Maintaining steady tone quality across full range of slides positions