Review

Jaroslav Cimera
55 Phrasing Studies for Trombone:

New York, NY, United States
Publisher: Belwin
Date of Publication: 1958
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Printed with permission under license by Cherry Classics Music

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Cherry Classics Music has reissued Jaroslav Cimera’s 55 Phrasing Studied for Trombone as a facsimile edition with forward by Dr. Cory Mixdorf, Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Arkansas’ J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Originally published by Belwin in 1958, the collection is 20 pages long with 3-4 short etudes per page. 

Jaroslav Cimera immigrated to the United States with his family from Bohemia when he was nine years old. While he never played in a symphony orchestra, Cimera played in a number of bands, including one-season as the soloist in the Sousa band, taught briefly at Northwestern University, started a publishing business and record label and even sold his own slide oil.

As the title implies, 55 Phrasing Studies for Trombone is intended to address the issue of taking quick, full breaths between phrases where there is little or no rest. In fact, out of the 60 short etudes, yes, 60, not 55 as the title suggests, only five have any type of rest between phrases. Therefore, it is expected that the performer learn to take a sufficient breath after sustaining the note at the end of each phrase for the full duration. Cimera also suggested using natural slurs whenever possible to ensure the smoothest possible legato. Dr. Cory Mixdorf, who was introduced to Cimera’s etudes by his former professor, Peter Ellefson, also suggests using them as range studies. Since each exercise is relatively short and placed solidly in the middle register, B-flat to f1 almost exclusively - two etudes stretch to g1, Dr. Mixdorf encourages playing them in tenor clef, alto clef, and other octaves.

At first glance, the etudes in 55 Phrasing Studies are not difficult: range is not excessive, the longest study is only 44 measures in length, tempos are reasonable and everything is printed in bass clef. But it is those same features that make it an ideal book for the intermediate or professional trombonist to focus on playing everything beyond the notes and rhythms. These etudes should be in every teacher’s library.

-Eric High
St. Norbert College