Review

Dan Barrett
Solo Training for Trombone:

Flagstaff, AZ, United States
Publisher: Mountain Peak Music
Date of Publication: 2013
URL: http://www.mountainpeakmusic.com

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

This excellent supplementary book is designed to help prepare several of the most performed trombone solos. Barrett creates 10-14 short exercises based on three important principles: overtraining to build beyond technique demanded by the solo by extending register, speed, stamina, etc., transposing passages to move technique beyond the narrow focus of the solo, and bridge building by taking difficult passages and simplifying them so they are more playable at first. These kinds of practice skills are essential but sadly often neglected by students at every level, and this text creates a structural practice method that will help younger students develop these practice techniques. The emphasis on developing skills beyond simply playing the solo should reap great returns in technical development, confidence, and performance level. Barrett includes exercises for Andante et Allegro by Barat, Concertino by David, Cavatine by Saint-Saëns, Sonata in F major by Marcello, Sonata in A minor by Galliard, Concerto by Rimsky-Korsakov, Grand Concerto by Gräefe, and Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant. Since most trombonists work on at least 3-4 of these solos at some point in their development, the text could be used many times over several years, which easily justifies the cost of purchasing a book of this type. The exercises may also be used aside from the solos to develop technique. This text does a great job leading the student to mastery of basic solo literature. I hope more books of this kind are forthcoming. 

-Timothy Howe
University of Missouri