Practical Studies for Trombone, Book II: Trombone Book

Bordner's sequencing logic respects how intermediate trombonists actually learn. Rather than scattering technique across disconnected exercises, he builds new challenges on what students have already mastered, so the work feels like natural progression rather than sudden difficulty jumps. The emphasis on style and interpretation means students aren't just executing passages; they're developing musicality alongside their technical chops.

Each study feels purposeful and focused. You're not sight-reading random exercises; you're working through deliberate progressions that ask something new while staying grounded in what you already know. There's a sense of building toward something beyond just playing the notes correctly.

Intermediate trombonists ready to deepen their technical foundation and explore style beyond basic mechanics. If you've worked through Book I and want material that stretches your range, rhythmic reading, and interpretive choices without overwhelming you, this book meets that threshold.

• Isolate extended passages in sections rather than running full studies top to bottom, especially when introducing a new technical challenge. This lets you troubleshoot the specific difficulty without fatigue.
• Return to earlier studies in Book I when you encounter a rhythmic or technical concept that feels unfamiliar. Bordner designs the connection deliberately, and reconnecting the dots strengthens retention.
• Record yourself occasionally and listen for consistency in tone quality across the full range of each study. The book's focus on musicianship means phrasing and sound matter as much as accuracy.
• Vary your practice tempos within a study rather than locking to one speed. This builds flexibility and keeps the work from feeling mechanical.

Use this as your primary study material during the intermediate years (roughly grades 9-10 or equivalent lesson levels). Cycle through studies in sequence over the course of a year or semester, pairing them with solo literature and ensemble work so students experience the techniques they're developing in real musical contexts.

• Extended range facility beyond Book I
• Rhythmic patterns and syncopation
• Legato and articulation styles appropriate to musical context
• Tone control and consistency across dynamic ranges
• Sight-reading of increasingly complex notation
• Phrasing and musical interpretation beyond technical execution