How Does It All Begin?
Article One
10 Mar 03
My dear friend Sandy Barrows has asked me to organize some thoughts about Trombones and Trombone playing
for her website. Let us start at the beginning.
Where do we get the idea we want to play Trombone? Of course we know that our first introduction to music
itself probably comes from our mothers. They sang or hummed to us when they held us in their arms as babies. They put little
music boxes by our crib. Then as we got older, they may have given us a Fisher Price toy that played records, melodies, or
made musical noises. As we grew older our musical needs became more sophisticated. We needed Barney, Mr. Rogers, Captain Kangaroo
(for our older visitors), cartoons, and Sesame Street. As we became even more sophisticated in our social and musical needs,
we went to school and with any luck at all, we had a creative and enthusiastic elementary music teacher.
At this point, though, I think something else may figure into our musical future. You see, I believe that
for some children, parental influences and social interaction with other children start shaping our need, our desire, our
passion for wanting to sing, play an instrument, or miss out on the musical experience altogether. This is when we decide
to perform, or not perform musically. For some children it may take longer, but for most of us, it's as much a social decision
to perform as it is a musical decision. I do have 26 years of public school observations to see some things, though.
Now, we are in Junior High or Middle School. It's Band Instrument Drive night. We have to decide on what
we want to play. Think back to that night. Had you already decided what you were going to play? Did your parents pick your
instrument for you like some cultures "pre-arrange" marriages? Was the choice one of "Uncle Jesse has his old Trombone up
in his attic and that's all we can afford", what brought you and your Trombone together? Did your Band Director tell you,
"You look like a Trombone player!", and convince you that Trombone was the instrument for you, no matter what? Did you
choose Trombone because that's what your Dad or Grandfather played? Or, did your Band Teacher, mentor, friend let you try
out instruments you were wanting to play? As you worked with him, did the two of you together make the monumental decision
that Trombone really fit you? I mean fit you. Could you hold it? Could you make a definable sound on it? Did it feel right?
In your dreams, could you see yourself playing Trombone forever?
In my experience, believe me, I have seen and heard all of those. There is some luck involved, of course,
getting the right instrument with the right child. But I believe some inspiration from the student and knowledge, patience,
and guidance from the teacher is the best combination. Many of us that have been successful haven't gone this route, but for
most, I think this is the best way for a student to not only enjoy starting on Trombone, but having it become a life long
part of his experience.
I'd like to let you think about one more issue before closing. How about the female Trombonist? Up to this
point I purposely used the male tense. Why don't more girls play Trombone? Every year, I have female brass players. What wonderful
players and students they have been! I have two female beginner trombone players this year and one in my Symphonic Band. My
first chair Euphonium player in Symphonic Band is a girl.
In my next article, I'll share some ideas I have about these young ladies and their quest to enter the "Testosterone
Zone". Good Trombone playing to all.
Edited by SB. Copyright 2003 by Jamie Larson, published by permission by Jamie Larson.
His opinions don't necessarily reflect the opinion of The Sliphorn or its participants.
"Sliphorn" copyright 2003 by Sandy M. Barrows
