ILMEA Cycle 3 Trombone Etude 2 - B Minor

Here’s a demo of how I would perform ILMEA Cycle 3 Etude 2 for trombone (the B Minor etude by Rossari from Rubank Selected Studies for Trombone), as well as a short practice breakdown with the metronome of measure 9 to measure 16.

I shot this from the side to show where I prefer to use 5th position A#, as well as some 4th position Ds. I think these alternate positions are the key to staying relaxed while playing this etude, but if you aren’t used to them make sure to practice slowly (no such thing as too slow!) until they start to feel more comfortable.

If you use the 4th position D in the B minor arpeggios at the end of the etude, listen for correct intonation - 4th position D above the staff is in 6th partial (starting on F above the staff), where all notes are inherently sharp and need a downward pitch adjustment.

Filmed in a practice room at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, IL; one of several Chicagoland locations where I’m available for lessons.