Arban Trombone Method in PDF + Interactive Sheet Music
Jean-Baptiste Arban’s method adapted for trombone, in bass clef: 581 technical exercises arranged by type and difficulty, from elementary level all the way to advanced.
Listen before you play
A scale exercise from the Arban (PDF p. 138, ex. 1) in MIDI & MusicXML Player, with note names and slide positions. Hit play and listen.
Content of the Arban’s method
Organization of exercises by difficulty
The Arban is organized by type of exercise and, within each type, by difficulty, so it is not studied from beginning to end. Roughly, this is how its 581 technical exercises are organized by difficulty, with the page of each one in the PDF of this version:
Jean-Baptiste Arban and his method
The best known and most used Arban method (link to Amazon) is probably the trumpet method, but this is a fully adapted version for the trombone. The content is exactly the same as in the trumpet version, but adapted as follows:
- It is written entirely in the Bass Clef.
- All the exercises are lowered one tone with respect to the trumpet one (a ninth, strictly speaking), since the trumpet Arban is specially designed for trumpet in Bb, while this one is designed for trombone, where scores are read in C.
This method has exercises for almost every technical aspect that a trombone student needs to know, and although the types of exercises are detailed below, it covers a wide variety of them (flexibility, technique, scales, studies, etc.).
Although the Arban method starts with simple exercises, it cannot be considered the best method to get started in the world of the trombone, since it does not contain a large selection of beginner exercises and, in addition, it quickly increases in difficulty, so it can be somewhat demanding. However, as soon as you have a basic level and register (at least up to a G above the staff) you can start studying it without any problem.
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On the other hand, it is a method organized by type of exercises, so it should not be studied in order from start to finish. Within each type of exercise, they are ordered by difficulty, but it is possible that page 100 has simpler exercises than page 50. Therefore, it is necessary to be clear about what you want to study at each moment and in this way, look for the most suitable exercise.
Going into detail, it can be said that the Arban method is made up of two parts:
- A more technical first part, made up of individual exercises where one or another technical facet of the instrument is practiced. In it you can find exercises of the following types:
- First studies: this is the simplest part of the method, where you start with long note exercises and get more complicated until you reach eighth notes and sixteenth notes. In addition, syncopation and 6×8 exercises are included.
- The second part focuses on slurred notes, where the note is changed with the slide or through lip flexibility.
- The entire third part focuses on major, minor, and chromatic scales in all keys.
- In the fourth part you will be able to rehearse everything related to ornaments (turns, appoggiaturas, mordents, etc.)
- The fifth part, called advanced studies, covers different topics: such as intervals, triplets, thirty-second notes or cadenzas.
- Finally, a part is included to practise double and triple tonguing.
- A second, more musical part, made up of different songs, duets, works and characteristic studies to put into practice everything learned in a more interpretive context. Basically 4 types of exercises are included here:
- The Art of Phrasing, containing 150 melodies.
- 68 duets for two trombones.
- 14 characteristic studies, of a much higher complexity.
- 12 fantasies that includes the famous “Carnival of Venice”
The Arban method is so extensive that it has exercises from a basic level (although not for absolute beginners), up to exercises typical of virtuoso trombonists. In other words, it is a method that will accompany you, practically, throughout your life as a trombonist, and if you are able to finish it, it means that you will have become a great virtuoso of the instrument.
Organizing the more than 500 exercises of this method is extremely complex, so the table follows the syllabuses of several Spanish conservatories and groups each type of exercise in the year in which it is usually studied. If you think any of them should be at another level, send a message from the contact page and it will be corrected.
Arban’s method for trombone with online audios
Remember that in this version for trombone, you will find the Arban method in bass clef and with scores in C. To use other versions, you can visit:
- Arban for trumpet – In Treble clef and with Bb scores
- Arban for euphonium – In Bass clef and scores in Bb
Shortcomings of the Arban’s method
Although the Arban method is, as already mentioned, very, very complete, it can also be said that there are certain aspects that it does not cover, for which it would be necessary to focus on other methods that go deeper. For example:
- It doesn’t make any special mention about the warm-up, so you have to resort, for example, to the Stamp method or similar.
- It is not a suitable method if you want to practise the high or very high register.
- Likewise, it is also not suitable for the study of pedal notes.
- Finally, bear in mind that it is a book that dates back to 1859, so no type of study of modern music, jazz or improvisation can be expected.
Arban’s method for Trombone in PDF
Jean-Baptiste Arban’s original method is in the public domain: Arban died in 1889. The scores of this trombone version are an adaptation of the exercises made for MIDI & MusicXML Player, so you have every exercise complete in the player.
You can download the PDF of this trombone version for free: all 581 exercises, grouped by topic, with a cover, an index and the page of each one. It is in English, like the exercise names in the player, so it works the same in any language. In the player every exercise is named “Page N Exercise M”: N is the page of this PDF where it starts and M is its number, so each exercise is found the same way in both. The commercial editions for trombone are protected by their publishers’ copyright.
The Carnival of Venice for trombone in PDF
Arban’s most famous fantasia now has its own page, with the PDF for trumpet, trombone and euphonium, the piano accompaniment and interactive sheet music to practice at your own tempo.
Performance of the Arban’s method
Here are some examples of the performance of this method to give you an idea of how it sounds and how difficult it is.
First part (technical)
Practice the Arban Method with Interactive Sheet Music
Buy Arban’s method for trombone
It is always highly recommended to have the methods and pieces in physical format (paper). In this way you will be able to create a great personal library, which will allow you one day to rediscover exercises that you had forgotten, lend your family and friends a book from your collection, or simply look at it and make you remember how hard (and at the same time exciting) was interpreting that work that you have overcome today.
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