Author Archives: Dale

From spare to spotlight

Posted on August 11, 2017

Years ago, while in junior high school, I graduated from a ‘pea-shooter’ trombone to a large-bore Conn 88H with an F-attachment, which I took with me to high school. I don’t know where my band teacher found it – probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Trombone | 2 Comments

Brass Instrument Repairs

Posted on March 24, 2017

A collection of resources (articles and ‘how-to’ videos) to help the school music teacher find good information quickly and easily. Continue reading →

Posted in Tip Jar | Leave a comment

Brass Teaching Materials

Posted on March 11, 2017

Free brass technique handouts: warm-ups, drills, exercises, etc. Continue reading →

Posted in Pedagogy | Leave a comment

Discovering Takashi Yoshimatsu

Posted on February 10, 2016

I have a friend who, when he played percussion in the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, sent me a CD (Chandos 9960) of works by the Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. It contains his Symphony No. 4, Atom Hearts Club Suite No. 1, … Continue reading →

Posted in CDs, Composers, Trombone | Leave a comment

Blow-air-o: Practice Strategies for the trombone solo in Ravel’s Bolero

Posted on January 12, 2016

The trombone solo from Ravel’s Bolero is one of the most challenging excerpts in the entire orchestral repertoire, and one of the few excerpts that is required on every single orchestral trombone audition. This solo passage, lasting just 17 measures … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Pedagogy, Tip Jar, Trombone | Leave a comment

Green tip: Make your own foam soap (and save $!)

Posted on April 14, 2014

When choosing hand soap for a family with kids, foam soap is the way to go. Bar soap makes a slimy, gunky mess of the soap dish, while liquid soap seems to trail a stringy mess all over the dispenser and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | 2 Comments

Call for scores – The Canadian Trombone Project

Posted on February 18, 2014

Are you a Canadian composer who has written for solo trombone (with any accompaniment), trombone ensemble, or chamber ensemble featuring the trombone? If so, I would like to include information about your work in my Canadian Trombone Project – an … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Trombone | Leave a comment