BEN'S BASICS

Ben van Dijk

Review by Alwyn Green, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Ben's Basics

This is without question the most comprehensive book on the subject. Many bass and tenor trombonists through the years have had to work out the basics of the trombone valve(s) by trial and error. A book of this quality is long overdue, filling as it does, huge gaps in the principles of using the B flat/F trombone effectively.

However, this book is much, much more than a guide to plug use. Ben takes his reader, step by step, through all the important facets of good trombone playing. The real benefit is in the detail. Although much of the text in simple good common sense, the advice is never patronising - always relevant.

So many of these "basics" are easily overlooked, even by busy experienced players. However, a brief look through is enough to inspire anyone, however experienced, to rethink their mental approach and to hone their skills.

The carefully planned chapters take us from the most important basics of correct breathing, through daily routines and effective warm-up, to flexibility, tonguing, slide coordination, arpeggios, proper legato tonguing, and scalic exercises with many examples based upon the trombone repertoire. Obviously there is attention to the plug and pedal register and crucially, many pages of "Tips".

I do not exaggerate when suggesting that all trombonists would benefit from buying this book. The advice is good for all, young and old, experienced and inexperienced. I certainly wish there had been a book like it when I first took up the bass trombone and even after more then thirty years in the profession, have found it invaluable in fine-tuning my approach, both to playing and in the mental preparation so essential in our business.

Ben should be congratulated on a superb piece of work which is obviously the result of his years as a fine player and teacher, and I heartily recommend it to every BTS member.

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