Elementary Trombone Position Chart

When learning to play the trombone, understanding the position chart is crucial for developing proper playing technique and improving tone quality. The reference positions on a standard trombone position chart correspond to fixed positions for natural harmonics one, two, four, eight, and sixteen. However, these charts do not take into account the additional positions needed for odd harmonics above this range.

One such chart is Mark McDunn's 'The 51 Positions' chart, which covers notes up to the sixteenth harmonic. While it provides a comprehensive overview of trombone playing, it can be challenging to visualize and navigate due to the limited space available on paper. Furthermore, most charts do not effectively depict how partials compress as they ascend in pitch.

A more effective approach is to focus on melody as a path of connected positions rather than individual notes. This allows players to think visually about lines and connections between positions, making it easier to learn and memorize music. Greg Waits' book provides an excellent representation of this concept, although his internal model is upside down relative to others.

The importance of developing an internal visual model cannot be overstated. It enables trombone players to mentally map the position chart, allowing for more efficient learning and improved performance. In contrast, a slide trumpet has a fixed handslide and moving bell, whereas a soprano trombone has a moving handslide and stationary bell.

When reading music, it is essential to understand the different clefs used in trombone playing. The 3rd space on tenor clef represents a B note on a tenor trombone, while the same space on treble clef transposes to a trumpet C that corresponds to a trombone Bb. To convert treble clef notes to bass clef, move any note on a space up two spaces or move it up two lines if it is on a line.

In conclusion, understanding the elementary trombone position chart is vital for developing good playing technique and improving overall musicianship. By focusing on melody as a path of connected positions and developing an internal visual model, trombone players can overcome the challenges posed by complex harmonies and partial compression. With practice and dedication, even beginners can master the basics of trombone playing and enjoy the rich rewards of this beautiful instrument.

Elementary trombone position chart