The Publications of David Vining
All of these publications are now available from:

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1. What Every Trombonist Needs to Know About the Body
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2008
No Trombonist should ever suffer pain or injury or be limited musically because they don't understand how they are built or how they are designed to move.
Why do some teachers say to "breathe low" when our lungs are relatively high in our bodies? Why do some teachers say to move the slide with the wrist when we have 5 jointed areas in our arms?
This book represents a major new addition to trombone pedagogy. It provides a thorough accounting of how we are built and how we should move to play trombone, as opposed to some traditional assumptions that are sometimes taught.
In depth discussions of breathing, articulation, the embouchure and slide technique are included. The last chapter is called "Explorations" and features drills which apply the anatomical information to playing trombone. Playing all of the explorations together provides an effective Body Mapping daily routine!
Click for more information about Body Mapping.
Forward by Denis Wick.
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2007
This book provides a duet for each slide position, duets in each major key and a few special topic duets (one based upon the Mahler 3 solo, for example.)
All the duets, as the title implies, involve playing long tones. By focusing on long tones, players can effectively improve their tone quality and intonation. Players who have trouble consistently finding a particular position (fifth position, perhaps?!) can improve their intonation by pairing the fifth position duet with the keys which require a lot of playing in that position (G-flat and D-flat, for instance).
Long Tone Duets is an innovative new tool for trombonists to refine their slide placement, thereby improving their intonation.
3. Long Tone Duets - Ralph Sauer Edition
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2008
This edition of Long Tone Duets features a CD of Ralph Sauer playing one line of each duet. Players can put the CD on and play long tones with Ralph Sauer! Long Tone Duets, Ralph Sauer Edition is based upon the first edition (described above) but has been re-written in order to reflect the teachings of Mr. Sauer.
By playing along with the CD, players can match Mr. Sauer's exquisite tone quality and intonation. This publication also serves as important documentation of the playing and teaching of one of the greatest trombonists of our generation.
I intend to create many other volumes in this series featuring the great trombonists of our time. Want to suggest another edition featuring another great trombonist? Click here to register your suggestion: david.vining@nau.edu
Preface by Ralph Sauer.
4. Daily Routines, Tenor Trombone (Revised Edition)
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2008
No Trombonist should ever be limited musically due to a technical shortcoming.
Daily Routines for Trombone has been a staple in many trombone studios since its original release in 2002. This is the second edition of the original book and features revisions and improvements to the original routines.
There are 8 different routines from which to choose and many challenging drills which are designed to help trombonists develop and maintain their fundamental skills. The 8 routines are: Basic, Articulation, Flexibility/Accuracy, Register Change/Dynamic Extreme, Natural Slur/Vibrato, Range, Duet/Intonation and Easy.
The International Trombone Association Journal says...
"...these routines are masterfully conceived. They exhibit exceptional balance, ingenuity and insight."
5. Daily Routines, Bass Trombone Edition
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2008
It's finally here! This edition of Daily Routines is designed specifically for bass trombonists. The concept is the same as the tenor trombone version described above but the range has been lowered so it is appropriate for bass trombonists.
Daily Routines, Bass Trombone Edition includes drills incorporating both valves and drills exploring the extreme low range. The 8 routines in this book explore the same subjects as the tenor book, described above: Basic, Articulation, Flexibility/Accuracy, Register Change/Dynamic Extreme, Natural Slur/Vibrato, Range, Duet/Intonation and Easy.
6. Daily Routines for the Young Trombonist
Kagarice Brass Editions, 2008
This is a new version of Daily Routines which is designed specifically for younger players. The purpose of this version is the same as the other two versions: to develop and maintain fundamental skills. The drills are written specifically with the younger player in mind. Daily Routines for the Young Trombonist is appropriate for high school trombonists and college players who may not be ready for the original editions.
The routines in this book are: Beginning, Air, Smears, Intermediate, Ear Training, F Attachment, Duet/Intonation, Advanced.
Masterclasses available:
You can receive partial funding for these events from Conn-Selmer:
1. An Introduction to Body Mapping for Musicians
A Powerpoint presentation appropriate for all disciplines. The principles behind What Every Trombonist Needs to Know About the Body are presented with clarity and humor.
A testimonial from a tuba student who attended this class:
"THAT WAS BY FAR THE GREATEST MASTER CLASS I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My tone has improved wonderfully! And the biggest improvements is in the ease of playing! I thought the lungs were much lower, and was trying to breath into the abs, but now that I can feel the lungs fill with air, and can feel the control of the ribs as they move, I have MUCH better control over the entire range!! I initially thought that the abs were in front of the lungs, and that they were in the way, but it's completely different, and knowing how it works has made things SO MUCH EASIER!!! And something significantly better is that it's much easier for me to now read music! I was putting out so much effort in the abdominal muscles that the receiving part of the brain as it reads the music was being resisted - it was like having a thin fog in front of the music (the focus wasn't completely there) - but now, since the playing is so effortless, it's so easy!!!! It makes practicing FUN (I just got done practicing 2 hours straight). I've been practicing a lot of songs !"
Schedule this masterclass:
2. Daily Routines for Trombonists
Each participant receives a copy of Daily Routines for the Young Trombonist. This is an interactive session in which students play the routines together. Discussions of fundamental ideas ensue and students leave playing better than when they arrived!
Schedule this masterclass:
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