Measures of Success Trombone Book 1: Trombone Method Book

Measures of Success stands out because it treats the method book as a complete music education tool, not just a technical drill book. The philosophy behind it, connecting conceptual thinking to actual playing, means students understand the why behind what they're doing, which builds genuine musicianship from day one.

Thoughtful and intentional. The material unfolds logically without jumping ahead, and the language throughout respects the student's growing musical awareness. You'll notice the book asks students to listen, analyze, and think about music in addition to playing it.

Beginning trombone students in middle school and high school concert bands. This method serves students from their first lessons through early intermediate proficiency, working well in group settings or private instruction.

• Pair the written exercises with the listening examples embedded throughout; students absorb phrasing and articulation faster when they hear a model before playing it.
• Rotate between the method book material and simple ensemble pieces at the same difficulty level to keep students motivated and show them how concepts apply in real musical contexts.
• Use the assessment checkpoints to inform your pacing; they signal natural stopping points and give you clear data on who needs review before moving forward.

Integrate this as your primary method text for trombone section instruction, using it alongside your chosen full-band repertoire. The concepts it introduces layer naturally over a full school year, allowing students to apply what they learn directly to ensemble music they're rehearsing.

• Slide positions and pitch accuracy in first, second, and third positions
• Breath control and phrase shaping
• Reading rhythmic notation in various meters
• Understanding how musical elements (dynamics, articulation, style) affect interpretation
• Listening and aural discrimination of pitch and tone quality