RPI Low Brass Studio

Overview, Syllabus and Reference Materials

Welcome to the low brass studio website!

This is designed to be a reference for students in the studio.

Please always feel free to ask questions during lesson time; you are also welcome to reach out to Professor Blostein via email or text at anytime.

Immediately prior to the semester, or as close to the beginning of the semester as possible, I will reach out to students to coordinate some potential lesson times. Due to my schedule, all lessons need to be in the late afternoon/evening; further time coordination is based upon mutual availability.

Course Description

Private applied music lessons are offered to provide a fine arts experience for credit. These lessons are designed as a collaboration between the student and the professor. Emphasis is placed on performance fundamentals, including (but not limited to) breathing, embouchure development, tone production, technique, rhythm knowledge, articulation and phrasing.

Concepts designed to focus on growth of the student with regard to traditional pedagogical expectations (such as warm-up fundamentals, establishment of a daily routine and design of good practice habits) are covered, as well as learning outcomes specific to each student.

Course Expectations

Regular attendance at all scheduled lessons (50 minutes per lesson, 15 lessons throughout the semester). It is anticipated and expected that students attend all scheduled lessons.

It is anticipated and expected that students attend all scheduled lessons.

- Lessons are scheduled based upon student’s and professor’s available times as well as space availability, and meet at a consistent time and location each week.

- Should a regularly scheduled lesson need to be moved, this must be established several weeks in advance and coordinated (through the professor) with the department secretary.

- In an emergency situation, student should text AND email professor (both email addresses) prior to scheduled lesson. Every effort will be made to reschedule such lessons.

- There is a 10-minute grace period for each lesson to begin. Should a student not arrive at the scheduled lesson by this time, I will assume the student is not coming to the lesson, and will communicate with the student via email or text as soon as is possible.

- Any scheduled lesson where the student does not attend (without communication prior to the scheduled lesson) will not be rescheduled.

At least 30 minutes practice daily, including (but not limited to):

Warm-up routine

Technical studies (etudes, orchestral excerpts, etc...) as assigned

Materials for performance ensembles

Sight Reading

Satisfactory progress on repertoire studied

Required Course Materials

Instrument in good working order.

Trombone players - slide cream (please do NOT use slide oil). I recommend Yamaha Slide Lubricant, although there are other excellent products.

All instruments (except straight trombones) - valve oil. I recommend Hetman Oils. There are different types - rotary vs. piston valve, synthetic vs. petrolium-based - please ask for help if you are not sure what to use

Carrying case or bag

Tuning slide grease

Cleaning items (cleaning snake, sponge at a minimum)

Metronome (either an app or a stand-alone unit)

Chromatic tuner (a stand-alone unit may be a better choice for this, but an app will work) - MUST be able to generate a sustained tone (drone)

Recommended items

Trombone stand, tuba stand, mutes as needed

Printout of the appropriate warm-up routine (PDF on a large screen is acceptable)

Tenor Trombone Warm-up routine

Bass Trombone Warm-up routine

Euphonium Warm-Up Routine

Tuba (Bb) Warm-up routine (please let me know in advance if you are playing a horn in CC, Eb of F)

Texts and repertoire determined by instructor (please see below for detailed list of Etude books, Method Books and other materials potentially used). Repertoire for any given student is based upon specific goals, needs and interests.

Notation software or traditional staff paper as needed

Grading Components

Assessment Measures

Assessment of student progress is made based on effort and improvement over the course of the semester.

3 progress reports will be issued throughout semester (week 5, week 10, week 15) in the process of determining musical progress and semester grade (this assessment is typically verbally given in lessons)

Grading Criteria

Work at home and during lessons: 100%

Please note - Admission to the private lesson program may be by audition, depending upon demand.

Academic Integrity

Student-teacher relationships are built on trust. Acts that violate this trust undermine the educational process. The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities defines various forms of Academic Dishonesty and you should make yourself familiar with these.

Learning Outcomes

Students in the private lesson program will improve their ability to read, discuss, interpret, and perform a plethora of music composed for their individual instrument.

Students will be able to expressively and musically interpret a variety of musical works/styles/genres.

Students will further mastery of their chosen instrument.

Students will improve listening skills, as well as mature in their ability to work independently.

Etude books, Method Books and other materials potentially used

Please do not purchase anything for lessons unless specifically requested

Tenor Trombone and Euphonium

Arban – Complete Method for Trombone/Euphonium

Blazevitch – Clef Studies

Blazevitch – Trombone School

Blostein – Etudes for the Developing Euphonium Player

Blostein – Etudes for the Developing Trombone Player

Fink – Introducing Legato

Fink – Introducing the Tenor Clef

Fink – Studies in Legato (Bass trombone)

Kopprasch – Sixty Selected Studies

Mueller – Technical Studies

Paudert - 24 Studies for Trombone

Pilafian – The Breathing Gym

Raph – Introductory Melodious Etudes

Remington – Warm-Up Studies

Rochut – 120 Melodious Etudes

Slama – 66 Etudes for Bass Clef Instruments

Tyrrell – 40 Progressive Studies

Bass Trombone

Arban – Complete Method for Trombone/Euphonium

Arban – Complete Method for Tuba

Blostein – Etudes for the Developing Trombone Player

Bollinger - Valve Technique

Edwards – Bass Trombone Craft

Eversden - 50 Studies, 50 More Studies

Fink – Studies in Legato

Gillis - 70 Progressive Studies

Gillis - 20 Etudes

Knaub - Technical Studies (Pi a la Bone)

Kopprasch – 60 Studies for Tuba

Pederson - Elementary Etudes, Intermediate Studies, Advanced Studies for Bass Trombone

Pilafian – The Breathing Gym

Raph – Introductory Melodious Etudes, Double Valve Bass Trombone Technique

Remington – Warm-Up Studies

Rochut – 120 Melodious Etudes

Tyrrell – 40 Progressive Studies

Uber - 30 Etudes, Studies in 3 Clefs

Vandercook – Etudes for Tuba

Tuba

Arban – Complete Method for Tuba

Blostein – Etudes for the Developing Tuba Player

Blostein – 27 Etudes for the Advancing Tuba Player

Fink – Studies in Legato

Kopprasch – 60 Studies for Tuba

Kuehn – 60 Musical Studies for Tuba

Pilafian – The Breathing Gym

Popiel – 30 Vocalises for Tuba

Rochut – 120 Melodious Etudes (trombone book, read down an octave)

Tyrrell – 40 Advanced Studies for Tuba

Vandercook – Etudes for Tuba

Jazz

Aebersold series – Specifically Volume 24, others based on interest (there are many volumes. These are often good options in lieu of a Real book)

Waits - Advanced Flexibility Studies for the Jazz Trombonist

Snidero “Jazz Conception” series

Coker – Patterns for Jazz

Real book (there are tons of choices - we'll discuss what to use based on student individual learning outcomes)

iRealPro app

A bluetooth speaker is recommended