Chapter 3:  Putting it Together

  • You have learned how to use the mouthpiece well.  Next, we will bring together the pieces of your mighty trombone so that you might wield it at last!
  • There are three parts to your trombone.  You have already used the mouthpiece.  The other two parts are:

The Bell Section

The Slide
  • On the slide portion of your trombone, there is a part that can be turned that will stop the two parts of the slide from coming apart.  This is called the "Slide Lock".  Make sure it is on any time you are carrying your trombone around!
  • Be careful with the slide!  Even a little dent can be a BIG problem.
  • To put your trombone together, take the screw end of the bell section and put it into the screw end of the slide.  Tighten the thumbscrew so it stays together.
  • Put the two sections at slightly less than a 90 degree angle (just like the picture on the right!)
  • Make sure the bell is on the left and the slide is on the right!
  • Take your mouthpiece and put it in the other end of the slide.  Give it a light twist.  Don't push it in!

Now learn how to wield the trombone!

  • Now that your trombone is put together, you have probably already tried buzzing into the trombone.  Buzz exactly like you did in Chapter 2 on the mouthpiece alone. 
  • Remember how we learned to change the sound up and down on the mouthpiece?  See if you can do it on the trombone.  How many different notes can you get? 

To earn your second Gem of Mastery:

Play the audio clip below.  You'll hear a note on the trombone played for 4 seconds (1-elephant 2-elephant etc.) and then 4 seconds of silence.  The silence is your turn to play.  Try to play the same note (without moving the slide, use your air and lips to change notes).  If you can play the same note as the audio clip each time, you'll have mastered a new skill!

When you have mastered the skill, click below: