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 3. In this volume Sluchin continues the use of duets as a means of furthering study of the alto trombone. The sources are pieces with unspecified instrumentation, or for two horns, or two string instruments. Alto clef is used exclusively in the first parts of these 16 duets. Clefs for the second parts vary, Beethoven, Ciconia, Dauprat, Kopprasch use bass clef, the Guami pieces use tenor, while the Corrette and Stamitz are in alto clef. Sluchin indicates the level of playing ability is advanced. Besides range considerations there are many technical passages that will challenge the more advanced player. The preface is provided in both French and English and includes valuable program notes.
Duets and ranges:
Beethoven, L. van (1770-1827)
Sonastensatz from Duett mit zwei obligaten Augenglasern, A-flat-f2.
Ciconia, Johannés (c.1335-1411) I Cani Suono Fuora, c1-e2; Per Quella Strada,a-flat-a-flat1.
Corrette, Michel (1709-1795) Sonata in C Major from Sonata pour deux violoncelles,part 1 c-f2, part 2 c-d2.
Dauprat, Louis-François (1781-1868) 1erDuo in E-flat Major from 6 Duos opus 13pour cor alto et cor basse en mi-flat, g-e-flat2.
Guami, Francesco (1543-c.1602) Ricercare 1, b-e2 and Ricercare 6, c1-e2 from Ricercari a due voci.
Kopprasch, Wenzel (ca.1750-1832) 8 duos from 8 Duos Concertants pour deux Cors, g-e-flat2.
Stamitz, Carl (1745-1891) Duo II in E-flat Major from 6 Duette für 2 Violen, part 1 c-f2, part 2 c-f2.
