Student Instrumental Course: Tunes for Trombone Technic, Level III: Trombone Book

The Student Instrumental Course series earned its reputation by treating early advancement seriously. Ployhar and Tanner designed these books to build genuine technical facility rather than simply filling pages with exercises. At Level III, this trombone book offers material that respects advancing players while remaining accessible, making it ideal for trombonists ready to move beyond basics but still developing foundational skills.

These exercises feel purposeful rather than rote. The material keeps your mind engaged on real musical problems—navigating position shifts, managing air flow across register changes, controlling articulation clarity—rather than spinning wheels on repetitive patterns. Short lyrical passages break up purely technical work, reminding you why the technique matters in actual playing.

This book serves advancing intermediate trombonists ready to strengthen technique while exploring slightly broader musical ideas. It works well for students in their second or third year of study who have mastered fundamental positions and basic articulation patterns. It also serves as a supplementary resource for trombonists in established band programs who need focused technical development alongside ensemble repertoire.

• Work through unfamiliar slide positions slowly before increasing tempo. Isolate passages that require position shifts and practice them in isolation until the transitions feel smooth and secure.
• Use a full breath before passages with multiple articulations. This reserves air pressure for consistent tone across slurred and tongued figures.
• Mark your slide positions lightly in pencil if certain passages catch you off guard. Erase them once the muscle memory takes hold.
• Record yourself playing through exercises. Listening back reveals timing inconsistencies and tone quality issues that escape notice in the moment.

Use this as your primary technical supplement during rehearsal season. While your band works on full ensemble repertoire, students can develop strength and accuracy on these focused exercises at home or during sectional rehearsals. The book complements any band curriculum without conflict, allowing trombonists to build capability alongside their section responsibilities.

• Secure intonation across extended range
• Smooth slide position transitions in stepwise and interval motion
• Articulation clarity in single tonguing and varied rhythmic figures
• Air support and breath management during longer passages
• Reading and executing mixed rhythmic patterns at varied tempos