A PEDAGOGICAL STUDY OF MODERN SLIDE TECHNIQUE AND COMMON DEFICIENCIES OR HINDERANCES IN THE NOVICE TROMBONIST

Abstract

This dissertation aims to: 1) define the standard for modern slide technique, and 2) develop a new curriculum tested on novice trombonists with the goal of aiding private and classroom instruction of the instrument. Resources surveyed on the topic include dissertations, scholarly articles, websites, pedagogical devices and aids, instrument specific methods, and beginner band methods. The gaps ascertained in the literature and resource review inform the creation of the new curriculum method. The purpose of the curriculum is to teach proper playing position, slide technique, and determine how those skillsets impact tone quality and intonation.

The study comprises five lesson plans tested on six trombonists who had fewer than three years of classroom band experience. Students performed an identical assessment at the beginning and conclusion of the study to determine understanding and growth in the areas of proper playing position, slide technique, tone quality, and intonation. Analysis of the assessments determined that students could effectively learn and implement proper playing position and slide technique, and it had an impact on tone quality improvement. Improvement in intonation, however, was inconclusive with half of the students showing improvement and the remaining showing regression. The results indicate that novice trombonists benefit from instrument-specific instruction, and the pedagogy is not too advanced for the novice student to understand and implement. Further research is needed to identify other ways instrument-specific instruction could impact a student’s overall intonation mastery.