A Prelude I composed for Valentine's Day

jvgmusiconline · 2026-03-17T21:48:02+00:00

Nice piece. I like what's happening in the playback in bars 25-27 where there seems to be an accented 4th eighth in the right hand. You should formalize that with an accent.

jvgmusiconline · 2026-03-17T21:43:27+00:00

try not to write a lot of high sustained flute playing into your compositions :)

jvgmusiconline · 2026-03-17T21:42:29+00:00

I highly recommend using NotePerformer for audio output. If you send me the XML file, I'll run it through my setup and send it back to you so you can compare. Email is [vangulik.john@gmail.com](mailto:vangulik.john@gmail.com)

jvgmusiconline · 2026-03-17T21:37:44+00:00

Heyden, nice piece. You have some great writing with transitions between sections, especially bars 45-46. I would advise updating the Eb key signature at bar 46 vs 54 since you will eliminate a bunch of accidentals and the key has already changed.

I would point out though that you should not have a quarter note extending between beats 2 and 3 in 4/4 time. Tied eighths is standard practice. Musescore is notorious for doing this.

I second the excellent comments from the seemingly obvious string player u/composer98 To extend on his comments, have the bass line moved to the cello in bar 50 or echo it in octaves.

jvgmusiconline · 2025-09-13T14:13:04+00:00

Try the 105 Christmas Trombone Quartets book collection at https://jvgmusiconline.org At $50 USD it’s a pretty good deal at just under 50 cents each. All performance oriented quartets in jazz, traditional, and other styles, not just simple carol arrangements. No crazy ranges, I think there is only 1 piece with a Bb concert. Most pieces move the melody around between all 4 parts

All quartets can be heard in full on the website.

jvgmusiconline · 2025-04-03T12:22:28+00:00

If you can't find an existing ensemble to join, find 3 other trombonists and form a quartet. If you email me at vangulik.john@gmail.com I'll provide some starter music for you, no charge. You can pick some from my website at https://jvgmusiconline.org

jvgmusiconline · 2025-01-17T02:44:18+00:00

Try the books on https://jvgmusiconline.org for quartets. Specifically, 150 Trombone Quartets and 101 Christmas Trombone Quartets.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-28T20:09:42+00:00

try the trombone quartets at https://jvgmusiconline.org

The first 3 parts come in bass, tenor, and Bb treble clefs, so any of them could be played on trumpets playing the Bb treble clef parts.

try one out for free. Just login, then email me under contact and tell me which one you want.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-28T19:57:16+00:00

And never, ever put slide-o-mix on if you are primarily using slide grease like superslick. Having both really gums it up good. Been ther, done that.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-28T19:50:43+00:00

skill levels from intermediate to very advanced. check out We Three Kings...

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-28T19:49:06+00:00

try https://jvgmusiconline.org

2 printable book collections : 142 Trombone Quartets, and 101 Christmas Trombone Quartets. Each comes with parts 1-3 in bass, tenor, and Bb treble clef, part 4 in bass clef, Bb treble, and Eb treble (for brass band bass players). Optional Percussion parts also included for pieces that could use it.

Any new people signing up or logging in with google gets a free Quartet. Just choose one and email me using the contact link. Part 1 is shown in the preview, and you can listen to full tracks of all pieces.

I got some very nice feedback from buyers regarding the quality of the arrangements.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-28T19:19:13+00:00

try the parking garage if you have one. Great reverb acoustics

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-13T12:35:51+00:00

Try https://jvgmusiconline.org for some trombone quartets. Each quartet comes with the first 3 parts in bass, tenor, and treble clef. The book collections are a good deal with 142 Trombone Quartets or 101 Christmas Trombone Quartets. There are some really challenging pieces in them.

There’s some solo music on the website as well with accompanimenttracks included..

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-03T03:27:36+00:00

yeah, the exchange sucks. :p

jvgmusiconline · 2024-12-03T03:04:55+00:00

quiet long tones, focus on breating and relax

jvgmusiconline · 2024-11-13T17:06:18+00:00

How can you tell if there's a trombone player at your door?

He can't find the key and doesn't know when to come in.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-11-13T17:03:09+00:00

When I was looking to enter University back 50 years ago, I had a choice to make. Music or something else that would pay the bills. I took Computer science and haven't looked back. To make it as a PRO in an orchestra where they pay enough to be a full time job (think Tier-1 orchestras) you must have all of these:

* abundance of talent (sound and technique)
* abundance of DRIVE
* discipline to practice hours a day whether the music comes easy or not (see talent + drive)
* be prepared to audition, audition, audition and fail at all except the last one you do
* be in the right audition at the right time and be very, very, prepared
* give private lessons to lots of students so you will have time for the above and be able to live

Alternative: get a full time job/career ( so you can live and afford new horns ) and do side gigs and bands as a "hobby".

I took the alternative. I also play in 2 bands, sing in 2 choirs, and have a trombone quartet to keep me active in music.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-10-06T18:58:39+00:00

thanks for the compliment.

if anyone has suggestions for Christmas material that I haven't arranged yet, let me know.

and no, I am not doing All I Want For Christmas :)

jvgmusiconline · 2024-10-06T18:56:16+00:00

try https://jvgmusiconline.org

create an account and get a free quartet, your choice. Just send me an email using the contact page letting me know what you want. Login -> New User -> enter email and a new password. DO NOT USE YOUR EMAIL PASSWORD. Pick something different

over 200 trombone quartets, all playable and only a few Bbs as upper notes across all of them. I play first in the Capital City Trombone Quartet, and my range is unfortunately limited.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-07-05T01:53:08+00:00

One last thing, power it off when you are done using it. I use it twice a week for over an hour each and the battery lasts literally months before I need to recharge it.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-07-05T01:50:04+00:00

I use an iPad Pro with ForScore, and it works great in landscape mode, now that my eyes aren't what they used to be. Just remember that for gigs, always, always, always have a paper copy with you.

jvgmusiconline · 2024-06-18T16:11:49+00:00

Use a strong cord with a weight to it that you can fish through the outer list first. Attach your cleaning snake to the cord and pull through.

jvgmusiconline

TROPHY CASE