Look for "ledger line" territory. If you see a cluster of notes above the staff, mentally prep your air support.
Each etude you sight-read is a line of jazz vocabulary. By reading melodies and lines from these books, you'll build a solid jazz vocabulary and musicality. The more lines you have in your ear, the more you can call upon them spontaneously during an improvisation.
One of the best ways to link reading with improvisation is to play along with a professional rhythm section. The series features swinging New York rhythm sections, allowing you to hear how a well-known soloist phrases and articulates, and then play along with or without the soloist.
Sight-reading is one of the most valuable skills a jazz trombonist can develop. Whether you are auditioning for a big band, stepping into a professional recording session, or subbing in a jazz combo, the ability to play music accurately at first glance is essential. jazz sight reading trombone
When sight-reading, the brain often lags behind the eyes, causing your slide to arrive late to the position. This results in smeared notes or poor intonation. To counter this, train your eyes to read at least one to two measures ahead of what your mouth is playing. Your eyes see the note, your brain calculates the position, and your arm moves before the note needs to sound. Alternate Positions are Essential
When practicing reading, if you hit a wrong note or misplace a rhythm, keep going. In a live band or audition setting, stopping ruins the performance for everyone. Train yourself to drop a missed note instantly and jump right back in on the next downbeat.
: Most jazz trombone music is in Bass Clef, but lead parts may occasionally use Tenor Clef. Standard jazz charts usually stay within a range from low (below the staff) to high 2. Jazz Rhythms and Counting rhythm is more important than notes Look for "ledger line" territory
Play through a duet book like David Baker's Cookin' Duets (Bass Clef). The spontaneity required to follow another player and adjust your tempo, dynamics, and phrasing is the ultimate test of your sight-reading in a low-pressure, creative environment.
The use of vibrato, falls, scoops, and ghosted notes adds color to your playing and makes you sound like a jazz musician. However, when sight-reading a chart for the first time, it's often wise to play with a straight tone and a confident, clean attack. As one veteran musician advises, "leave all vibrato outside the door (for now), play strong and confident, and if you split a note, think to yourself, 'Damn, I sound like Miles!'". Once you have the notes and rhythms down, you can start to layer in these stylistic elements in subsequent play-throughs.
Think of your tongue as a jazz singer. Use "Doo" for long notes and "Dot" for short, accented notes to get that authentic punch. The Pre-Play Scan: The 30-Second Rule By reading melodies and lines from these books,
Core skills to develop
Jazz sight reading is rarely a solo endeavor. It happens in the trombone section (usually 3 or 4 chairs). Here, the rules change. Your job is not to play every note perfectly; your job is to play the right notes at the right time with the right color .