Review

Bryan Hooten
Six Multiphonic Etudes for Trombone:
Trombone

N.p., , United States
Publisher: Ombak Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.bryanhooten.com

Etude book. 20 pages.

Primary Genre: Study Material - etude

Bryan Hooten’s Six Multiphonic Etudes for Trombone is everything one might expect from the title. These are short, 1–2 page compositions that involve multiphonic techniques to a greater or lesser extent. For those who are unfamiliar with the technique, creating multiphonics on a brass instrument involves playing one pitch while singing another. Typically the sung pitch is a harmonic interval higher than the played pitch, and the constructive interference between the two creates the multiphonic effect.

Unlike many texts on multiphonics, Bryan Hooten’s Multiphonic Etudes are independently performable, musically cohesive works that take advantage of the unique timbres produced by various multiphonic techniques. Each one begins with an introduction that explains its musical significance.

Spanning AA-b-flat¹, these etudes can easily be played on tenor or bass trombone. With the exception of the final etude, they are each written as duets where the lower part is played and the upper one sung. The sixth etude, entitled “Mirrors,” features overtone singing in addition to the multiphonics. It is written as a trio where the lower part is played, the middle part is sung, and the resultant upper part is created using different vowel shapes in the mouth to bring out specific overtones. Bryan Hooten’s Six Multiphonic Etudes for Trombone are an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop or refine their ability to play multiphonics through playing music rather than repetitive patterns and sequences.