Literature Review: Trombone Exercise Library Project by Ilan Morgenstern

Despite the many setbacks in 2020, musicians and artists have been able to spend much time off the grid learning about themselves and developing their craft. Bass trombonist Ilan Morgenstern of the Vancouver Symphony is one such musician who took advantage of the extra time in the practice room to develop a worthy resource for trombonists at any level.

The Trombone Exercise Library Project (TELP) is just that – a library of 70+ exercises that can meet any need for your trombone playing. While some tracks are initially unclear on tempo speed and beat placement, many of the exercises include three various tempi to fully push the limits of your playing. A unique feature of the PDF version is the backing tracks are embedded into the file, making the PDF a rather large file ( almost 350MB). By purchasing the physical, spiral-bound copy, tracks can be also downloaded for use.

A downside to the digital version is only certain reading/editing apps are able to fully utilize the PDF/mp3 format. While I use ForScore for my digital sheet music, it is not an app able to play mp3 files embedded in the music (yet!). Morgenstern recommends using Acrobat Reader, Dropbox’s free native app, or the app Foxit to read the music and while playing the audio tracks.

Throughout the entire book, Morgenstern gives a tip-of-the-hat to many of the pedagogical pioneers of brass playing. By using exercises from Stamp, Marstellar, Bordogni, and others, TELP takes trombonists through familiar exercises while occasionally adding a curveball to the pattern. As some exercises are easy and necessary, others are just downright challenging on the first read and will require more time to develop – yes, I’m looking at you, Extended Flexibility 1 and 2 as well as Articulations 5A, 5B, and 5C.

By having these resources in one place, any trombone player can work through standard maintenance exercises with accompaniment that can add a bit of spice to your next practice session. You will never be bored again in your warm-up/maintenance routine as the book easily allows you to cycle through many variations of drills. In that one does not go to the library to read everything at once, it is important to remember these exercises are designed for the long haul in your playing. I will be going back to these library exercises again and again as well as introducing my students to this resource.

Click here to purchase and learn more about the book.

Last Updated: December 15, 2020 at 7:58 PM (EST).