Orchestration Tip: Trombone Roles & Relationships

James Horner's score to ALIENS
Available at Chris Siddall Music Publishing

100 Orchestration Tips is available at:
100 MORE Orchestration Tips is available at:
Bundled purchase of both books:
For the most up-to-date orchestration analysis and additional resources and perspectives, please join me on Patreon.

[Bigandrewm]

As a trombonist, I can confirm that a "crisp" attack is something I can do very aggressively. Encourage us!

[TheBitBigBand]

Another awesome resource!! Your videos are so clear and informative for orchestrators/writers at any level, thank you for making these!!

[miker]

As a trombonist, I endorse this video.

[GaryGP]

As a trombonist, I appreciate you taking the time to remind us (me) about the various methods we can employ to make the trombones sing, carry and support, sometimes in the same phrase! Thanks so much for sharing. You're truly an inspiring composer and resource for all of us. Many, many thanks once again!!

[laurajhball]

I recall the very first thing I was taught about trombone writing, which was that they're not very agile, especially in low ranges. When I finally got an idea as to how the slide positions and various attachments work, I began to realize the first thing I learned was so pessimistic and foreboding. Yes, less agile, but oh so colorful, intense, and timbrally interesting. I found my trombonists for my own live premiere were the most laid back, awesome players to work with. I wish more teachers provided the depth of information and accessible, interesting, memorable format that you do!! THANK YOU!

[JohnnyAssay]

"The trombone is, in my view, the real leader among the class of wind instruments I have described as epic. It possesses to the highest degree nobility and grandeur. It commands all the accents, grave or powerful, of high musical poetry, from imposing and calm religious tones to the frenzied clamour of an orgy. The composer may at will make it sing a chorus of priests, threaten, utter a subdued lament, whisper a funeral dirge, raise a hymn of glory, break out in dreadful cries, or sound its formidable call for the awakening of the dead or the death of the living." — Hector Berlioz, "Treatise on Instrumentation"

[finneganlindsay]

Bartok's use of the trombone, especially in the miraculous mandarin is incredibly amazing and unique. He makes them sound so gritty and frightening.

[mvuorsalo]

I just LOVE the examples from Mahler's 2nd Finale!! They have always been one of my favorite parts in all of Mahler's works!! And extra thanks for using the final pages of the work to close off your excellent video!!

[sarolian]

I love the trombone... maybe a bit biased since I’ve played it for 30 years. This video has helped me expand my mindset when scoring for this awesome instrument..

[davidlee-michaels]

This is the first time I've seen a video that actually gives you a fundamental understanding of the role of a trombone in various orchestral genre, with examples. I've been on so many forums where I've asked about orchestration and the roles of instruments and all I ever get is useless advice like "you can do anything you want" and "as long as it sounds good". Subscribed.

[brodymclaughlin]

Love the way you edited that ending together, a wonderful video

[alexkha]

I was waiting for examples with glissandi. But even without them, still lots of inspiring moments. Thanks a lot for your hard work!

[Musicmadness]

I am stunned by how wonderful these videos are. There is really something for everyone to learn here (or hear it explained clearly).

[Overlycomplicatedswede]

As a high school trombonist. This was very well explained
been playing trombone for 10 years (I play an f attachment trombone)
I love playing with the French horns as composers like mahler and wagner and bruckner were amazing at writing for trombone and brass in general
Love from Sweden

[eyvindjr]

Wonderful video about some of the potential of the trombone! I would like to add that as the dynamics increase, the higher overtones of the instrument also increase. This also makes it possible to use the less overtone-rich soft dynamics of the trombone in ways which do not cover up other instruments, including singers. Wagner was an expert at this, and we certainly embrace that role just as much as heroic fortissimos!

[jonathanrabbitt]

Another really important blending, particularly in older music (cf. Beethoven 9) is with the chorus - trombones were used in churches before they were used in orchestras. Trombones will often double the male voices in choral works or even emulate them in works without a chorus

[JJBerthume]

Fantastic and very useful tips as always! Thanks Thomas.

[itznoxy]

Please do viola roles and relationships next. I think a lot of people get stuck on what to do with the violas.

[stcc]

Williams’ mix of Horns and Trombones in the score for Saving Private Ryan is also a good film score to study uses of the trombones.

[AaronLington]

Outstanding! Clear and well produced. Thank you.