I recently found the below image, which I will be adding to the Trombone History Timeline (19th century-first half). It is a print by a respected German artist, apparently produced in one of his more whimsical moments. At 6’4″, I am often asked if you need to be tall to be a trombonist. The answer [...]
One Man Bands
November 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Over the weekend I posted a just-for-fun article on HubPages—One Man Bands: The Ultimate Multi-Taskers. There isn’t a lot that’s trombone-related, although a couple of the images include low brass, both predecessors to the tuba: one picture with an ophicleide and another with a serpent. There are also several videos that are kind of entertaining. [...]
Charlie Brown Christmas Session: Mimic This Actor
November 16, 2010 By 3 Comments
I just read an interesting firsthand account about the creation of the popular “Charlie Brown Christmas,” an animated feature that aired for the first time in 1965. Based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz, the film uses trombone in place of all adult voices. According to the animator, Bill Melendez, “Sparky [Schulz] didn’t want any [...]
Just for Fun: Band Cap with Lamp from 1880
October 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Some time ago I posted a few entertaining images from the 1894 Lyon & Healy music catalog (see also here). Below is another interesting offering, this one from the 1880 catalog. The cap’s miniature kerosene lamp, it explains, burns for up to four hours and is “a great convenience for night playing.” Just be sure not to [...]
Vote for Trombone Article on HubPages
August 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Serpent & Ophicleide: History and Images
July 15, 2010 By 3 Comments
I recently came across two humorous ophicleide images from 19th century France (1847 and 1862, below) while doing some trombone history research. The ophicleide, by the way, is a fellow low brass instrument—a 19th century invention that is considered a predecessor to the modern tuba. An extension of the keyed bugle into the bass register, [...]
Just for Fun: Vegetable Orchestra
May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Just for Fun: Faerie’s Aire and Death Waltz
May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Just for fun–below is a copy of Faerie’s Aire and Death Waltz, a piece many of you may have come across on the orchestra bulletin board. Not a bad idea to review it from time to time…truly an excellent recital piece for any instrument! Also, here is a link to a blog with information about [...]
Trombone Saves Man’s Life
March 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Just added this touching story to the 19th century timeline (2nd half): 1875—New York: Harper’s Magazine publishes a humorous fictional piece, “The Story of a Trombone,” with illustrations by Charles Reinhardt. The story is about a man who lives below a French trombonist whose practicing has become an annoyance. “It is not to be endured,” [...]