Benny Sluchin has done a superb job of collecting numerous studies, etudes, solos, and duos for various instruments and making them available for the alto trombonist. These prove to be invaluable source material to assist the developing as well as proficient alto trombonist. Many of the etudes originate with composers well known to trombonists, Bordogni, Bleger, and Kopprasch to name a few.
Volume one is intended for students learning the alto and forms a solid basis for playing the instrument. The etudes become progressively more difficult throughout the book and into volume two. Volume three is largely duets that focus on intonation while the last volume consists of solos transcribed from various sources. This set of books is a must for those interested in learning or furthering their playing on the alto trombone.
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Volume 2. The second volume contains 66 etudes and includes a preface in French and English. Its material originates in 19th century historical brass pedagogical sources, slightly more advanced than volume one. Users will find various articulations and clefs. The music includes: 24 Selected Studies by Georg Kopprasch (ca.1800- ca.1833) from his 60 Études pour le Cor alto Op.5; twelve vocalises by Marco Bordogni (1789-1856) from his book in Eighteen studies by Ambroise Thomas (1811-1896) from his Léçons de Solfége á changements des clef composes pour les examens & concours duConservatoire de Musique; and twelve duets by W. A. Mozart originally the 12 Duos pour deux Cors (1786) here arranged for alto and tenor trombones. Sluchin indicates the availability of piano accompaniments for the Bordogni vocalises. The Thomas pieces use various clefs including alto, tenor, bass, and treble. The Mozart duets all use alto clef for the first part and bass clef for the second part; the first part has a range of f-g2.