Review

Edward Kleinhammer and Douglas Yeo
Mastering the Trombone: fourth edition

Ithaca, New York, United States
Publisher: Ensemble Publications
Date of Publication: 2000 / 2012
URL: http://www.enspub.com

Method book. 75 pages.

Primary Genre: Study Material - book

Bass trombonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1940-1985, Edward Kleinhammer played a substantial role in the development of the modern bass trombone. Perhaps more importantly, his legacy lives on through the countless number of trombonists who have been influenced by his playing and teaching. Fortunately for future generations, Mr. Kleinhammer’s definitive text, Mastering the Trombone, has been updated and published in a fourth edition by Ensemble Publications.

In collaboration with his former student Douglas Yeo, bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1985-2012, Mr. Kleinhammer collected his “cumulative thoughts on the diverse subjects concerning trombone playing” including breath control, buzzing, intonation, musical interpretation, as well as numerous other topics. This insight of such influential musicians and teachers, with more than 75 years of experience performing in some of the world’s finest orchestras between them, makes this an invaluable text for all aspiring trombonists.

With the assistance of the fourth edition editor Charles DePaolo, many of the diagrams have been updated and misprints corrected. Many changes are minor, a new diagram of the breathing tube, the circle of fifths diagram now appears in bold and is easier to read, etc., while others are more substantial. For example, in the illustration that lists “vibrations per second (Hz)” the new edition has added two new pitches, B-flat and b-flat¹, that were missing in previous editions. Other small changes include the reduction of the Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6, fourth movement excerpt to emphasize the extremely soft dynamic, the chart of notes in different clefs has been expanded from a¹ to c², and a few of the musical exercises have been extended to help clarify the sequential patterns of each one. Finally, the editor has added a note in chapter VIII, “The Tape recorder,” to reference Mr. Kleinhammer’s use of reel-to-reel recording equipment with the suggestion that, although new technologies are available, recording one’s practice is vital to continued improvement on the instrument.

Although many years have passed since this book was first published, its information is truly timeless. It should be required reading for anyone who wants to make a career as a teacher or performer.