How do I start my music carrer as a Trombonist?

Question

I know I'm only 13, but I think I'm ready to perform. I'm a Trombone player and music is my passion. I just started playing about 9 months ago and within 5 months people called me the "trombone vurtuoso". I've conducted small ensembles for performances and was successful. I also play guitar and plan to write my own songs, but I'm mostly into orchestral pieces right now. I play professional pieces such as Blue Bells of Scotland and Morceau Symphonique, and more. I'm getting a Tenor Trombone in about a month, so I've been mastering these songs on a student trombone. I'm in the GNOYO Youth Orchestra. I just need some advice!! Thanks!

Answer 1

1. Practice like crazy. Keep practicing. Try all different styles of music. Take private lessons even if you don't think you need them.

2. Learn to play as many other instruments as you can, at least fairly well.

3. Attend music summer camps and programs. Learn to compose, and write a composition for an entire ensemble.

4. Apply to music college, and become a music major.

5. When you get out (after working your butt off as hard as you can) audition for as many orchestras as you can. Boston Pops, Transiberyan, etc. Keep trying.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Look into it, go to an music prep school.  It will really help.

Answer 3

I'm a trombonist too, and I'm impressed by your resume. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that amazing technique and range can only get you so far. You need to have a great sound and flawless intonation to play professionally. Make sure you listen to as many trombone recordings as you can. Obviously, Joseph Alessi and Christian Lindberg are two of the best, and if you imitate their sound, then you are on the right track. In addition to these guys, listen to some of the pros who have a more "realistic" sound, like Mark Lawrence. I highly recommend Jay Friedman's album "The Singing Trombone", which is him playing orchestral solos and Rochut etudes without any accompaniment. It really shows what you should sound like when you practice.

Get a high-end audio recorder and listen to yourself play. Try to hear as many errors as you can so that you can better correct them.

Get to know the name "Brad Edwards." He has a website (bonezone . org) that has an amazing warmup routine on it. His book of Lip Slurs is an essential, and his clef studies book "Before Blazhevich" will help you learn alto and tenor clefs in addition to bass clef.

I know I mentioned great sound and flawless intonation earlier, but it bears repeating. There are maybe 15 orchestras in the country that pay enough money to be a full-time trombonist. When you factor in that each orchestra only needs 3-4 trombonist, that's maybe 50 slots in the country. Some years, only one or two of those slots open up for auditions, and several hundred people of all ages will show up to try to win that spot. If you don't sound perfect, or if "only" 98% of your notes are in tune, then there WILL be someone there that can beat you. Be perfect.