Review

Michael Davis and Shari Feder
Brass Buzz:

New York, NY, United States
Publisher: Hip-Bone Music, Inc.
Date of Publication: 2005

Score, compact disc, digital videodisc

Primary Genre: Study Material - method
Secondary Genre: Study Material - etude

From trombonist Michael Davis and pianist Shari Feder comes this energetic method for teaching beginning trombone, which includes a compact disc and digital videodisc. Fundamental to every exercise is the direction to visualize, focus on air, and listen, and the accompanying media reinforce this. The pedagogy is sound, beginning with long tones, tonguing, and then slurs. Each unit begins with a concise overview of the concept and methods to accomplish the objective. The instructions are easy to comprehend and should optimize student success. The alternate page contains the actual exercise with clear instructions on how to work with the CD. Entertaining fonts, enthusiastic DVD video, and creative use of traditional technical studies such as arpeggios and lip slurs will assist in engaging, encouraging, and retaining the student. Once mastery of fundamental concepts is achieved, the student is challenged to play back what they hear on the CD, reinforcing listening skills, and then further begin to improvise on their own. These exercises are accessible and students should encounter immediate success. The final exercises work in various styles labeled “Classical Buzz,” “Jazz Buzz,” and “Rock Buzz,” and provide students an opportunity to hear the same etude interpreted three different ways. The last page recommends the student continue into the next books available in the series. The cover of the trombone book indicates it is also usable by Baritone B.C., however, glissandi are indicated in one of the exercises with no corresponding instruction, and the position chart does not include fingerings, nor does it compensate for partials. The method is also available for trumpet, horn, and tuba.  

-David Stern
Lewiston, ME