Tip From The Top

By George Roberts

George Roberts, 'Mr Bass Trombone', is one of the best loved personalities in the the world of music. The man whose bass trombone sound is so instantly recognisable on those classic Frank Sinatra/Nelson Riddle recordings has virtually singlehandedly brought the bass trombone from its 'last chair, low trombone' status to the forefront as a solo instrument which can stand alone and sound wonderful.

After two years with Gene Krupa and three with Stan Kenton, George has spent the last 40 years in and around the studio scene in Los Angeles, and has remained the most sought after bass trombonist in town. He has recorded with Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jnr. and Henry Mancini to name but a few, and his numerous film credits include Jaws, King Kong and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

He also gives clinics and concerts all over the USA, Canada and Australia, soloing with symphonic bands and trombone choirs. His greatest asset has been his ability to play for and meet young people, and he has inspired many a young player to aim right at the top for a musical career.

Something I feel is very important in learning to play the trombone is learning to sing with your trombone - and that means bass trombone too.

Both tenor and bass trombone are the real singers in the band and orchestra, as they come closest to being vocal.

My feelings are: get the greatest sound in the world and learn what to do with it. You should get good background tapes and learn to play with them. It is a lot of fun and really tells you a lot. I try to do a concert a day with tape to keep my lip in when I'm not working. It really works and it's fun too. You should hear some of my young students playing songs; they love to play trombone, they really do.

Pitch, sound time conception - it's all in a song, so learn to sing. Playing a beautiful song on bass trombone truly is the other side of the horn. And what a great horn. It does everything from Jaws to love ballads. That's wild. Much love to all of my friends in the British Trombone Society. My very best always.

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