Review

Jack Teagarden
High Tone Studies for Trombone:

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1936 / 2013
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com
Language: English

Facsimile reprint edition

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

High Tone Studies For Trombone is a little-known method for developing and improving high register playing on the trombone. The original edition was written in 1936 by jazz trombone pioneer, Jack Teagarden. The introduction includes an extensive biography of Jack Teagarden and a narrative by the author. The narrative explains the purpose of the method and how one should consider playing through it. The author goes as far as explaining the importance of relaxation, use of air, tongue positions, and syllables for articulation. The first four exercises have no instruction, style, or tempo markings. They are characterized by both scalar and arpeggiated passages in the key of B-flat major. One might conclude that this is simply a brief warm-up provided by Mr. Teagarden. The next section contains exercises intended to prepare the performer for the first set of high tone studies. These preparatory exercises lay in a comfortable range from A-flat to g1. This section and those that follow contain short studies that vary in key, articulation, and dynamic. The final six sections of the method become progressively difficult as they address pitches from g-sharp1 up to d2. The entire book includes clearly marked articulations, tempi, style, dynamics, accidentals, and key signatures. None of the exercises are longer than three lines, which allow performers to rest frequently as the author recommends in his opening narrative. Performers should be comfortable transposing up the octave as many of the exercises are written in the bass clef staff with instruction to play 8va. High Tone Studies For Trombone is suitable for performers at the intermediate level and above.

-Anthony Williams
University of Northern Iowa