First Blogiversary April 29, 2007
Posted by Dale in Blogging.1 comment so far
Exactly one year ago I made my first post to this blog. 84 posts later, I have averaged 7 per month, a little short of my goal of 2 or 3 a week, but not too bad I guess. My most verbose month (with 15 posts) was the current one, April 2007, which is not surprising since this included all the International Trombone Week posts. September 2006 was my least loquacious month, with only 3 posts.
My blogging goals have been:
1) to keep in touch with friends,
2) to initiate discussions on various topics, and
3) to practice writing, and work on improving my writing skills.
Regarding this last goal, one important component of being a successful writer is the ability to communicate effectively. One of my first posts (which I ended up deleting) caused quite a controversy, and precipitated a period in which I have given much consideration to the adequacy of the written word in communicating ideas. Malcolm Gladwell, in one of his books (Blink or The Tipping Point, I can’t remember which), reported on the significance of facial expressions and body language in communicating – the actual words themselves contribute only a small percentage to the message. That makes one stop and think about how easily the written word on it’s own (in a format such as a blog), without the context of expression, can be misinterpreted – and that is exactly what happened to me with the aforementioned post. As a result, I have become supersensitive to this aspect of writing, and continue to strive for greater clarity of meaning.
One unexpected (and very rewarding) result of blogging is reconnecting with old friends. In November, I related a story about one of my former colleagues with the Hamilton Philharmonic, with whom I had not been in touch for several years. A few weeks after posting the story, I received an email from him. His brother had stumbled across the post somehow, and emailed the link to him. We have now reconnected and gotten caught up-to-date with each other’s lives.
I have had 8,297 total views, an average of 22 visits a day, with a single-day high of 157 – not bad, really, for a trombonist from little old PEI. All in all, it’s been fun. Thanks to all of you who have stuck with me over the year – hopefully I can come up with another year’s worth of stuff to write about.
Cheers,
Dale
Pearls Before Breakfast April 26, 2007
Posted by Dale in Life, Music.1 comment so far
Here is a very intriguing article about an experiment undertaken by the Washington Post to see what the public’s reaction might be when famous violin virtuoso Joshua Bell busks in a subway station (at the centre of federal Washington D.C.) during the morning rush hour, and for 43 minutes performs (on his 1713 Stradivarius, worth $3.5 million!) some of the greatest musical masterpieces ever written.
Before you read the article, try to guess what would happen: How many people might pass by during those 43 minutes? How many of those would stop to listen? How many would recognize (or even notice) who was playing? How many would throw money into the open violin case? How much money would be collected by the end of the performance? The actual results may surprise you. It certainly provides a very interesting commentary on our society, and is definitely worth reading.
Running/Shoes – Cause and Effect April 25, 2007
Posted by Dale in Health, Life.add a comment
I am currently experiencing a shoe shortage – all my shoes have gradually been falling apart. So yesterday, when I was heading out the door to drive to the Halifax airport to pick up my brother, I was down to a few unappealing choices: my black dress shoes, my winter boots, or my rubber boots. Oh man, something comfortable would be really nice for the six-hour round-trip. Then I spotted my running shoes. Lightweight and comfortable – yes, they would do nicely.
Then, at my first pit-stop, I made a discovery: simply wearing running shoes seems to make me want to run. As I stepped out of the car, I was taken over by an intense desire to RUN! So run I did. I felt so light on my feet. I FLEW across the parking lot, the wind whipping through my hair – runner’s high taking over almost instantly. I was a cheetah in pursuit of its prey, an Olympian sprinting to supremacy – a child loving life.
This is completely opposite to how this usually works – usually, you wait until you feel like running, then you put on your running shoes and you go for a run. This time, putting on the shoes made me want to run. It’s “cause and effect” in reverse. Just think of how one could apply this process to life! Some possibilities: put the trombone to my lips – presto, I feel like practicing! Put a saw in my hands – wow, I feel like cutting wood!
I think I might be on to something here. Try it. See if you have the same experience. Don’t wait until you feel like doing something. Just do it, and then see if that inspires the feeling. Hey, the worst that could happen is that you actually get something done.
Well, I’m off to bed, to see if that makes me feel like sleeping. Good night.
Two New Features April 22, 2007
Posted by Dale in Uncategorized.2 comments
Just wanted to bring your attention to two new features on my blog. On the right-hand column you will now notice links to my websites: 1) my trombone website, which contains my bio, musical activities and resources, 2) our house website, which describes how we are living off the grid, and 3) Pine Grove Music, my music publishing business. Someone mentioned to me recently that they wanted to be able to find these sites more easily. My Flickr photos link is further down the column.
I have also added a note which lists the book I am currently reading, in case anyone cares. I always find it interesting to know what people are reading. I haven’t made much progress on the current book, thanks to facebook!
Facebook Has Consumed Me April 20, 2007
Posted by Dale in Life.1 comment so far
OK, so last week I got an email from a friend (and 2nd cousin) inviting me to sign up with Facebook and join the “Bluefield Class of 1986″ group he’d created. We were in school together at Englewood from Grades 1-9, and then Bluefield for high school. The class of ‘86 was a very spirited bunch, and I have some great memories of many of those classmates. We had our 20-year reunion last summer – what a trip! Some people I hadn’t seen since the 10-year reunion; some, not since graduation day; some I run into all the time. Some had changed very little, some were almost unrecognisable – but everyone was excited to see everyone else. We all agreed that it would be really nice to stay in touch, especially those of us who were together since Grade One at Englewood. Twelve years – we did all of our growing up together – that makes for a bond with some strength behind it! It’s only natural we should want to maintain ties. But of course, it’s always easier said than done.
When I first came across Classmates.com, I thought it might be the answer, but it didn’t take long to figure out that it is pretty much useless, unless you pay for their premium service. While it’s standard fare for a website to offer both free and paid services, I believe that the free service should at least be functional. Classmates.com is not. You can write your profile, but friends can’t read it. Friends can leave you a message, but you can’t read it. Useless. And really, how many people are actually going to pay for the upgrade? A quick browse through the list of classmates reveals that next to none have. Classmates.com, move over – Facebook has achieved what you have failed to do. And finding old classmates is just the tip of the iceberg.
I’ve always thought it would be nice to keep in touch with every friend I’ve ever had – but of course, that’s just not possible. Everyone moves on – starts a family, gets a new job – and every phase brings with it a new set of friends. As we move from one thing to another, we have to come to terms with the fact that friends will come and go. That’s life. We enjoy the memories, and look forward to the reunions or chance encounters that temporarily bring us back together. After this week though, I think Facebook has the potential to shatter that notion. I now really believe it could be possible to stay in touch with everyone.
Facebook has it all: profiles, photos, blogs, email, discussion groups, fun features (check out the Friend Game for example), all with a user-friendly interface. You can participate in whatever capacity you choose, from social director to voyeur. Beware though – it’s TOTALLY ADDICTIVE!!! I’ve really been racking up the hours online this week – it’s INSANE! Hopefully once the novelty wears off, I can streamline things a bit – just check for updates a couple of times a day, and leave it at that – maybe reconnect with my children… 
Until then, see you on Facebook!
“Spring”, a poem by Riley April 18, 2007
Posted by Dale in Kids.add a comment
My Dad just emailed me this photo of their white board:
She must have been feeling very optimistic,
because it hasn’t felt much like spring yet.
Read More Blogs in Less Time April 13, 2007
Posted by Dale in Tip Jar.add a comment
If you’ve been reading blogs for any length of time, you know how quickly you can find a couple dozen blogs (or more!) in your bookmarks. If you’re really organized, you’ll create a separate bookmarks folder just for blog sites, but even then you still have to check each one individually. This can take some time (especially if you’re on dial-up like me), and usually there’s a good percentage of them that haven’t been updated since you last visited.
The solution? News aggregators, or feed readers. I use Bloglines. In a nutshell, I subscribe to the blogs I want to stay on top of, then I go to one website, my Bloglines page, where all the new posts of my subscribed blogs appear in one window. It is so simple, and such a time saver. I am currently subscribed to 16 blogs, and it actually takes me less time to keep up to date with those than it did when I was checking 5 or 6 individually. And I don’t have to worry about forgetting any.
Here’s a screenshot of my Bloglines page. In the left column are the list of subscribed blogs; the unread posts appear in the right column, either separately (if I click on an individual blog on the left) or all together (if I click on the “Dale’s Blogs” folder). Only the unread posts will be shown in the right column, and after they are read they will not appear again – unless you want them to, in which case you simply check the box marked “Keep new”.
And I have it set up so it’s really easy to subscribe to a blog. In my Bookmarks Bar (see above) there is a link called “Sub with Bloglines”. When I visit a blog that I decide I want to subscribe to, I simply click on that link and it takes me to my Bloglines page where I add the new blog to my list.
Incidentally, aggregators such as Bloglines can also be used to subscribe to online newspapers, comic strips, weather forecasts, podcasts and more – anything with an RSS feed. I think this is an incredibly useful tool.
It’s Snow Fun April 9, 2007
Posted by Dale in Kids, Life.1 comment so far
Well, we finally used our snowshoes this season. I’d been sort of keen to get them out in January and February, gradually lost interest in March, and now – I suppose I should just be grateful that we got to use them at all…
We only went as far as the end of our driveway (which is better exercise than it sounds – it’s 900 metres long, and uphill in both directions ), and once we made it to the end, we had to dig out the car which the snow plow had graciously buried just so we could get even more exercise. On the way out, we had to ditch Bailey’s snowshoes because a strap snapped, and then he decided it would be fun to somersault his way out – what a circus! Then Riley gets herself stuck up a tree, and – You know, I’ve really been identifying with Bil Keane’s Family Circus lately. My kids’ tracks through the snow are a perfect reproduction of Keane’s cartoons showing the kids’ paths through the yard or whatever. So much energy…
SHOVELLING TECHNIQUE
I think this was the first time I did any significant shovelling this winter – other than clearing a path for our chihuahua to get from the door to her “spot”. I was thinking about how this season any time I saw footage on the news of somebody shovelling snow, they were using an overhand grip with their lower hand. It made me wonder – did I miss some sort of press release about the proper way to shovel snow? I’ve always used an underhand grip with my lower hand. I tried both today, and I didn’t find the overhand technique to have any particular advantage, so I guess I’ll stick with what I’m used to. Has anybody out there ever thought about this? Or do I just think too much…
SHOVELLING CLOTHES
You can sure work up a sweat shovelling snow, so I make sure to dress in layers so I can strip down if I get too hot. In the last couple of years I have discovered the benefit of wearing clothing made of synthetic material for my base layer, to wick away moisture. You don’t want the clothes next to your body getting all wet, because eventually they end up cold and wet – a very uncomfortable combination. I started with polyester shirts, and have branched out to include socks and underwear – but maybe you didn’t need to know that…
TAKING IT EASY
On a more sober note: I think about my great uncle every time I shovel snow. He died one New Year’s Eve after suffering a heart attack brought on by shovelling snow. It was one of the saddest days of my life. Uncle Lorne loved to work hard, and probably never thought twice about it that day. That’s the thing about shovelling – it doesn’t seem like it’s that strenuous, but it’s very deceptive. So, make sure you take it easy. Slow and steady, and take frequent breaks.
Our Driveway
New Trombone Collective April 8, 2007
Posted by Dale in CDs, Trombone.1 comment so far
Thank you to all you non-trombonists for sticking with me through eight posts about the trombone this International Trombone Week. I hope you found some of them entertaining and/or interesting. As today is the last day of ITW, I will now return to blogging about anything and everything – but first…
The New Trombone Collective is a group of nine young Dutch trombonists who met while studying at the Rotterdam Conservatory, and who now all play in professional orchestras in the Netherlands. They have created a very unique set of three recordings which feature the different sides of the ensemble. The first CD, Collective, features works for trombone ensemble from the Renaissance to the present; the third CD, New includes new works that have been written for the ensemble. I bought the second CD, Trombone, a few weeks ago, and it follows a very creative format: each member of the group is featured as a soloist in a piece of his own choosing. It makes for a very eclectic programme; the pieces range from a 17th century work for unaccompanied solo trombone to a contemporary work for solo trombone with trombone choir. The playing is wonderful and the repertoire is fantastic. I just love the whole concept – it’s a great idea that gives us a more personal glimpse of the individual members of the group.
I was particularly excited to see David Popper’s Requiem included on the CD. Originally for three cellos and piano, the piece works very well for three trombones. I got to hear the trombone section of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra perform it on a recital they gave at the University of Toronto in 1998 when the Concertgebouw was in town to play at Roy Thomson Hall. It was an inspiring performance, and their rendition of Popper’s Requiem made quite an impression on me. Jörgen van Rijen was one of the trombonists that day, and is also on the CD, so that’s kind of cool.
Trombone is an excellent CD for anyone wanting to hear some not-so-standard repertoire played by a world class group of trombonists. I highly recommend it.
I close my International Trombone Week blogfest with the following quote:
“In my opinion the trombone is the true head of that family of wind instruments which I have named the epic one. It possesses nobility and grandeur to the highest degree; it has all the serious and powerful tones of sublime musical poetry, from religious, calm and imposing accents to savage, orgiastic outbursts. Directed by the will of a master, the trombones can chant like a choir of priests, threaten, utter gloomy sighs, a mournful lament or a bright hymn of glory, they can break forth into awe-inspiring cries and awaken the dead or doom the living with their fearful voices” – Hector Berlioz, from his Treatise on Instrumentation
Two Trombone Legends April 7, 2007
Posted by Dale in Trombone.2 comments
RAY ANDERSON
I first came across Ray Anderson in the spring of 1991 when I went to Chicago to audition for a Master’s program at Northwestern University. While I was there, I was browsing through the CDs at Rose Records and came across Anderson’s 1990 recording, What Because (Gramavision R2 79453). I’d never heard of Ray, but I am always game to hear someone new, so I bought the CD. At first, I have to say I was not overly excited – Ray’s sound is a little on the rough side, and it took a few listens before I got used to that. Once I did, I could then focus on what he was doing musically, and just let myself get caught up in his contagious joy and energy. Since then, I have bought many more of his recordings, but What Because has remained a favourite. Coincidentally, when I returned (with my wife Sandy) to Chicago that fall to begin my Master’s degree, the first night we were there we got to hear Ray Anderson live at a bar downtown. What a thrill that was! I have since seen a few of his performances, and they are always FUN!
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG
I’ll never forget how excited I was in my 1st year at UPEI to find Christian Lindberg’s first solo recording The Virtuoso Trombone at the UPEI Music library. Lindberg did things on that record that I hadn’t even imagined possible on the trombone. Since that first record 20-odd years ago, Christian has released 30 solo CDs, performed as a guest soloist on another 30, and gives around 100 live performances each year, all over the world. It is truly remarkable what he has accomplished. I have seen Lindberg live a couple of times, but the most memorable performances were at the International Trombone Workshop in 1994 in Minneapolis. There I got to hear him perform a solo recital of all unaccompanied works, and two nights later, the world premiere performance of Toru Takemitsu’s “Fantasma/Cantos II” for trombone and orchestra, with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Amazing!
Here’s a photo of me with both Ray Anderson and Christian Lindberg (and a friend of mine) taken at the ITW in Minneapolis:
L to R: LC, CL, me, RA
Trombones in Space April 6, 2007
Posted by Dale in Trombone.1 comment so far
The world is full of trombonists who are doing wonderful things to promote the instrument. Yet, however successfully all the CD recordings and live concerts increase the profile of the trombone, they just don’t pack the same punch as the television in reaching the masses.
Considering this, special mention must be given to that high-flying ambassador of the trombone, Commander William T. Riker of the Starship Enterprise. Who has not seen at least one of the episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in which Riker dusts off his trombone, gives the swagger a rest, and bares his soul?
Jonathan Frakes, the actor behind the character, does actually play the trombone, reportedly having played it in the marching band while attending university – he is even credited with performing on the twenty-second song “Riker’s Mailbox” on the 1994 Phish CD, Hoist.
Who could resist such a heartfelt show of emotion?
C’mon Deanna, can’t you sense he has feelings for you?!
Riker’s clone, Lt. Thomas Riker, gets in on the action too. In 2369, Will gives his trombone to Tom as a memento (Season 6, Episode 24: “Second Chances”). And check this out: you can even buy a collectible action figure of Tom Riker – complete with trombone! It’s comforting to know that the trombone will still be around 360 years from now. I wonder if they’ll be able to replicate the really good ones!
“A frisky spirit makes my trombone sing.” – Chris Barber
Music for Wilderness Lake April 5, 2007
Posted by Dale in Stories from the Stage, Trombone.add a comment
I love playing the trombone, and I love being outdoors, so when I can do both at the same time, it’s a good day. And although I don’t have to worry about bothering neighbours here, there doesn’t seem to be that many opportunities to actually play outside – by the time the weather is warm enough, the mosquitoes have arrived!
One of the most fun occasions I’ve had to play outside was in May, 1993. I, along with eleven other trombonists, was hired to take part in a performance of R. Murray Schafer’s Music for Wilderness Lake, as part of the Scotia Festival of Music. Schafer himself was there as composer in residence, so that made it even more exciting.
Our performance took place at Long Lake in Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia, with Camp Kidston as our base of operations. Music for Wilderness Lake is in two parts: “Dusk” and “Dawn”, which are meant to be performed at – you guessed it – dusk and dawn! This meant that both performers and audience were required to sleep overnight, and as you can see in one of the photos, tents dotted the camp. In fact, I don’t even think we bothered with “sleep” – there wasn’t much point going to bed when we all had to be in position around the lake by 5:30 AM – and I had to canoe to my spot! I remember that one resourceful trombonist (let’s call him Jim) had the presence of mind to bring beer, and sold it out of the trunk of his car!
For the performance, the twelve trombonists spread out around the lake, and respond to some cues as they hear them. Because of the distances involved, no two performances will be the same, and depending on where the listener is located, nobody hears the same thing. Some of the cues were visual and were directed by Schafer, who positioned himself on a raft in the middle of the lake and used coloured flags to indicate certain events. It’s a very cool piece, and very well written for the instrument. Schafer exhibits a thorough understanding of the technical capabilities of the trombone. The time of day, as well as the weather conditions, are an integral part of the music. At dawn and dusk, the air is very still and conditions allow for optimal refraction of the sound waves. This allows one to hear the music very clearly, even at a great distance, and also results in multiple echoes – it is certainly a unique experience. I would love to perform this work again, but it’s not often one finds himself at a lake with eleven other trombonists! I guess that’s what memories (and photos) are for.
Speaking of which, click on the photo below if you’d like to see my set of six on my Flickr.
“Music for Wilderness Lake returns to a more remote era, to an era when music took its bearings from the natural environment, a time when musicians played to the water and to the trees and then listened for them to play back to them.” – R. Murray Schafer
Dancing Trombones April 4, 2007
Posted by Dale in Stories from the Stage.1 comment so far
Performing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker was an annual tradition for the Hamilton Philharmonic, and our low brass section used to have a great time down in the pit where no one could see us. My last year with the HPO, I took my camera in so I could have some pictures of the section together. After watching the Snowflake dancers have their little flurry on stage one night, I jokingly suggested it would be hilarious to have a photo of the low brass taken with the Snowflakes. Marc Donatelle, our principal trombonist, simply said, “I’ll set it up.” Sure enough, he talked to somebody with some sway, and the next thing I know, we’re being called backstage at intermission the next night to make it happen. Somehow, though, it had turned from a casual little thing into a full-blown photo op. That year we were performing the ballet with the Kiev Ballet Company. The Kiev people all had their cameras out, and somebody was barking out orders, in Russian, to the dancers. At one point, we gave our trombones to some of the dancers in exchange for their handheld snowflake-twirly-thingys. They didn’t have a clue how to hold our instruments, as you can probably tell from the picture below. The one holding mine looks like she is trying to blow it through the tuning slide! And the one holding Marc’s actually sent his slide clattering to the floor! Oh dear.
I also remember going to Boris Brott’s house for a reception after the final performance. When the dancers finally showed up, they pretty much kept to themselves – but boy, they could sure put away the vodka!
L-R: Mark Bonang, tuba; me; Peter Collins, bass trombone; Marc Donatelle.
“Never look at the trombones; it only encourages them.” – Richard Strauss
Mozart Requiem – Unplugged April 3, 2007
Posted by Dale in Stories from the Stage, Trombone.add a comment
One of the greatest trombone solos in the entire orchestral repertoire appears in the Tuba mirum of Mozart’s Requiem. I’ve gotten to play the Requiem about a dozen times, and I never get tired of it – it is so much fun to play! Most of those performances took place when I was living in Toronto (1992-1999). There was even one month (April 1998) when I played it on three separate occasions: with the Windsor Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, and a pick-up orchestra. The latter performance took place in a church in Oakville, and the trombone section consisted of Zud Gaskin on alto, me on tenor, and Bob Nicholson on bass. I’ll never forget the first rehearsal – I was having a rough time trying to find my sound, and I just couldn’t get comfortable. My chops felt fine, so it had to be the acoustics of the church that was the problem. The Tuba mirum was called, and I made it through the solo well enough, but it just felt like I was playing inside a cardboard box. I hadn’t experienced stuffy acoustics like this ever before, and it was very disconcerting. This was not going to be a fun gig. At home that night, I decided that if I took my valve off and played with the straight horn, maybe things might feel a little easier the next day. When I unscrewed the valve section and removed it from the bell, something dropped out and clattered on the floor – my missing pencil. Somehow my pencil had managed to find its way into the neckpipe of my trombone, and I’d played the whole rehearsal with it lodged in there. Needless to say, at rehearsals the next day I was pleased to discover that the acoustics in the church had improved dramatically overnight!
Hey Bob, can I borrow your pencil? I can’t seem to find mine. – Dale Sorensen, April 12, 1998
How I chose the trombone April 2, 2007
Posted by Dale in Life, Trombone.3 comments
I was in grade eight when our school got its first band program. Gerry Rutten had moved to the area, decided Englewood should have a band, and generously spent his Saturday mornings trying to teach us how to play. At first, I had been pretty resistant to the idea of joining the band – OK, dead set against it. I was at that age where peer acceptance was supremely important, and having just quit the ukulele for that reason, I wasn’t eager to pursue music any further. My mom can be very persuasive however, and I finally agreed to join on one condition – I would only play the drums. Fate had other ideas though, and when we arrived on the first day, another kid showed up with his own drumset that he’d gotten for his birthday. When Gerry informed me that I would have to choose something else, I pointed to the trombone on the floor, and grumbled with contempt, “I’ll take that.” (to which he excitedly replied, “I knew you would pick the trombone!” – Go figure…). Once I figured out how to produce a sound on the damn thing, I caught on pretty quickly and, to my surprise, actually started to dig it. Since I was the only kid who had chosen a bass clef instrument, Gerry would give me the parts for euphonium and bassoon as well as trombone, and I would spread them all out over 2 or 3 music stands and jump from one part to the other, playing the most important passages. A few weeks later, when little drummer boy quit, I had already embarked on what would become a lifelong obsession with the trombone, and the rest is history.
Looking back over my life, there are certain pivotal moments that make me stop and wonder how differently things might have turned out. In what direction would my life have gone if that kid had simply gotten a bicycle for his birthday? If Gerry Rutten had moved to Hunter River instead of Victoria? If I had stuck with the ukulele? (Scary thought!) Such simple little things can propel one onto a completely different path. Well, I like the path I ended up on that day in Grade 8, and although there have been some pretty big cliffs to scale, and some pretty slippery slopes, it’s been a fun trip. I’ve met some great hikers on this path and experienced some breathtaking scenery, and I can’t wait to see what’s around the bend.
I chose the trombone because the trombone players in the marching band got to be up front with the majorettes (because of the slides) and I loved that! – Quincy Jones
International Trombone Week 2007 April 1, 2007
Posted by Dale in Trombone.add a comment
I’m sure all of you will be just as excited as I am that April 1-8 is the fifth annual International Trombone Week. This is the week when trombone players all over the world organize concerts and other events to raise the profile of this incredible instrument and prove that the trombone is more than just a slush pump. Check out the International Trombone Association website to see a list of Trombone Week events – if there is one in your area, don’t miss it!
This is also the week when I send in my annual request for trombone music to some of the programs on CBC Radio. Tune in to Here’s To You on CBC Radio2 on Wednesday, April 4th, sometime between 10:00 AM and 12:00, to hear my request on that program. I didn’t request a specific piece, so I am curious to hear what they will play. [Update, April 4: They played Joseph Jongen's Aria et Polonaise for trombone and piano, very nicely performed by Alain Trudel and Yannick Nézet-Séguin on their CD Conversations (ATMA Classique ACD 22289).]
Although I don’t actually have any performances planned myself for this week, I intend to listen to a lot of trombone CDs, practice every day, and maybe even write a few things about the trombone here.
“The thing that influenced me most was the way Tommy [Dorsey] played his trombone. It was my idea to make my voice work in the same way as a trombone or violin – not sounding like them, but “playing” the voice like those instrumentalists.” – Frank Sinatra
