Do you sing your part?

[AtomicClock]

A common statement by (frustrated?) band directors is "if you can't sing it, you can't play it". Of course, I can't carry a tune. Can't sing a steady note, or hit the pitch I'm aiming for. Range is small (in both directions).

I do see tremendous utility in singing a part or a solo to develop a sense of phrasing and style. If I sing a Rochut I've played hundreds of times, I understand the phrasing better, attend to articulations, and (maybe) start to recognize stylistic opportunities I'd been blind to. But it's all at some amorphous pitch.

Do you devote part of your practice time to develop the skills of singing? Should I? Do I need formal lessons? I have no real interest in singing itself; just as an aid to trombone practice.

[Savio]

Agree so much! Since I started to play the trombone about 53 year's ago my goal was to sing with my trombone. My first happiness was to play "Hey Jude" Beatles. And get the trombone sound be close to the original Beatles. I still remember doing the first two notes. It made me learn how to play legato. I still like to play that tune. I think singing is the clue to all trombone playing. Even in any orchestra or ensemble.

https://youtu.be/nGeUJhxw6eo?si=l3ldKTOZCSSs8jcR

Leif

[Kingfan]

I can't sing worth a damn, but i can play the hell out of some trombone literature.

[Burgerbob]

Yes.

[harrisonreed]

Singing is the most human thing, and we all can do it if we start early though. It is linked to trombone playing, espscially intonation. Most trombonists who can sing in tune can play the trombone dead on in tune.

I think it's possible to "age out" on learning to sing. This might affect intonation on instruments where it is not fixed.

[hyperbolica]

I do believe that you at least be able to hear it in your head. I'm not a great singer either, and can't sing a lot of the parts I play. But you have to be able to recognize the rhythm, and it helps a lot if you can recognize the intervals.

Funny story, though. In my quintet a trumpet player showed up and forgot his mouthpiece. So he just sang all his parts. It was the weirdest thing. Obviously he doesn't play for the group any more, and to be honest, his ability to sing the parts really didn't help him when it came time to play.

[slidesix]

Yes, or some form of it. It helps to hear it in your head. Then try to make it simply real with fine motor control. Singing, whistling, and clapping (though not at the same time) are usually simpler to play something for the first time than on the horn, so I agree. I also agree with the Harry about it helping your tuning or intonation. Now, I don’t sing all that well, but I do it well in my head, which I think helps. Plus no one is grading us on our singing ability! HA!

Lately I have been trying to play things on my piano, too. As good as the piano is as things (like being in tune!) it can lack something compared with using your body like singing does. Especially since a trombone is a wind instrument, too.

I agree with this.

[AndrewMeronek]

When I was younger, sight-singing was an important part of my training. Now, I internalize that and pre-hear what I'm reading. By "pre-hear" I mean not just myself and the musical lines I'm about to toot out, but the musical context that I'll be a part of. I anticipate how I'll be blending with the section, and lining up articulations with the lead players or drummers, or etc.

It's an approach that takes years of active thinking and paying attention to what I'm paying attention to.

[BrassSection]

I have a limited vocal range, mostly baritone to bass range, hit bad notes vocally much more than on any horn, therefore I spare myself and the Collies in the house of my cracked notes.