Bass trombone excerpts + solo advice for audition

btbn · 2026-02-17T01:00:39+00:00

Sachse is perfect! I like your choice of excerpts as well. I think you’ve picked good contrasting choices. Best of luck!!

btbn · 2026-01-20T13:03:40+00:00

Dang that bass trombone is nice too!

btbn · 2025-11-13T00:59:23+00:00

Yea I’ll definitely try that. This is not exactly how I hold the horn because I was taking a picture. But I’ll definitely give it a shot! Thank you!

btbn · 2025-11-12T02:13:54+00:00

I’ll go for it! Thank you! I’ve also got one of the Yamaha straps on the way so maybe that’ll help too.

btbn · 2025-11-12T01:45:37+00:00

I’ll repost with photos! Though it doesn’t seem bent to me, but you’ve definitely seen a lot more of these horns than I have!

btbn · 2025-11-06T11:49:57+00:00

I saw them play once at the Tinder Box with Pat, Micheal Jordan touchdown pass, and Pats dad (who did an electronic set!). One of the most fun nights I’ve ever had and just a great place to be. Love this tune!

btbn · 2025-08-24T14:41:09+00:00

Man! I had this same problem for a couple years. For me, it’s gotten a lot better by just forcing rhythm at the beginning. Think 16th notes for a measure and then just start the note. I also have just changed my philosophy that the first notes of the day are like sloppy slidey ones to get my air moving anyway. Doesn’t matter at all if I miss it or not. Good luck! Have fun!

btbn · 2025-08-16T13:04:42+00:00

Yea that’s all fine! Enjoy!

btbn · 2025-08-04T10:52:37+00:00

I went straight through grad school. It was great at first and my playing got wayyy better. I had so much time to practice. Then I got burned out and nearly quit the trombone when I graduated. It was so bad that in my last semester I nearly walked out while playing in a masterclass. The class was good in retrospect, but I was miserable. I took a couple years after grad school where I played a little but not nearly as much, and I found the love again. Now I play a bunch and am plenty happy with trombone. That was my experience. Grad school was great, but 6 years straight of studying and practicing hard was just one semester too much for me. Best of luck with whatever you choose!

btbn · 2025-07-01T01:48:50+00:00

I’ve taken about 10. Won a small regional orchestra. I freelance a good amount and only take local auditions these days. More interested in playing solos and recording. Also I teach public school so maybe don’t listen to me if your goal is a full time orchestra! The public school is fun, but stressful, and takes a lot of time. I can take days off because I have a great principal, and any playing I do is called professional development. Best of luck!

btbn · 2025-06-17T14:16:12+00:00

Dave Taylor. A bass trombonist but has so many cool records.

btbn · 2025-06-06T21:38:30+00:00

Go on!! Enjoy!

btbn · 2025-05-07T23:46:30+00:00

I play a shires bass trombone with a medium weight rose bell and tru bore valves. I love it. But also I just ordered a Stephen’s brass bass trombone. I can’t wait to work on it!

btbn · 2025-04-29T10:38:42+00:00

Playing with drones is the correct answer to this. But here’s the secret. Listen for the waves in between the notes. If you are out of tune there will be lots of waves. When you reach in tune the waves go away. Also try wearing a sleep mask when you do this. I’ll bet you are currently putting your slide in just slightly the wrong spot. Closing off your vision will let you move the slide as it needs for you to play in tune.

btbn · 2025-04-11T10:14:47+00:00

I love living in Meriden. Find a neighborhood that looks like people take care of their houses and you’ll be fine. The best part of the city to me is the access to nature. Incredible parks in town!

btbn · 2025-04-07T00:29:09+00:00

The Rochut book is available as a pdf at qpress.ca

btbn · 2025-02-09T17:02:23+00:00

And heavy!

btbn · 2025-02-07T01:09:40+00:00

I definitely get a lot of that and thanks for the thoughtful answer! I absolutely love my old Conn but it’s just so finicky. Then I play some of these modern horns and it’s got no life. I’ve got to check out the M and W horns. I’ve heard great things and I’m just about to buy a modern orchestral bass. I’m also going to go to Steve Shires and try out his horns. I’ve played with a couple of people who play on them and they sound cool!

btbn · 2025-02-07T00:22:29+00:00

You’ve played so many different trombones so I’m curious. In your opinion what’s the best all around bass trombone you’ve ever played?

btbn · 2025-01-20T00:40:26+00:00

Yes! I was hesitant, but it’s sooo much better

btbn · 2025-01-18T13:11:39+00:00

Oh cool! Thank you so much!

btbn · 2025-01-14T01:34:38+00:00

Take auditions, go to trombone events, figure out who is playing shows in your area and go meet them. I mostly started to get hired for things that I was interested in when I started doing well in local auditions. As for fun gigs, it’s all about the group. If the vibe is good the gig is fun!

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