How to find a teacher (UK)

[JessHTB]

Hello!

I recently started the trombone but I'm struggling to find a trombone teacher local-ish to me for in-person lessons. (The Fens)

• How difficult is it to find a trombone teacher in the UK? How do you search for a teacher?
• What would be the chances of finding a teacher in a city such as Peterborough?
• Would taking lessons with a brass player specialising in a different instrument (such as cornet or euph) be helpful enough for a beginner trombonist?
• Are online/Skype lessons an OK substitute or should I really push to find an in-person teacher first?

I've tried searching on Google and through Facebook, but I've had no luck. Unfortunately I don't know any trombone players local to me to ask for recommendations, so I'm really struggling with the word of mouth route

Thank you for any advice you can offer!

[StephenK]

Maybe start with the school music services, they may have a teacher that does adults free lance. Music services vary quite a bit around the country, some are LA, some are non-profits set up to replace them.
Also, if a local independent school has brass teachers, they may also teach free lance.
I think quite a few teachers do remote lessons. Maybe ask at British Trombone Society? They recently ran awards for best teacher.
While a non-trombonist might work, there are some specifics to trombone that may be better with a trombonist. Where are you? Sounds more like southern fens rather than Lincolnshire.

[Fidbone]

You could try musicteachers.co.uk

[mgladdish]

Maybe start with the school music services, they may have a teacher that does adults free lance. Music services vary quite a bit around the country, some are LA, some are non-profits set up to replace them.
Also, if a local independent school has brass teachers, they may also teach free lance.
I think quite a few teachers do remote lessons. Maybe ask at British Trombone Society? They recently ran awards for best teacher.
While a non-trombonist might work, there are some specifics to trombone that may be better with a trombonist. Where are you? Sounds more like southern fens rather than Lincolnshire.

All of this is perfect advice.

Peterborough looks like a bit of a dead spot, I don't know anyone there.

Maybe you could ask for recommendations from your local brass band? They're bound to know good teachers in the area. You should be able to find a few here: http://www.ibew.org.uk/link01g.html

[MStarke]

I am not from the UK and have never been in Peterborough, only lived in England for a while many years back.

Still some general points:
- As a real beginner I would strongly recommend against online lessons. You don't get enough details on the sound and with basically no background it's hard to understand and see some of the mechanics that you need
- I would contact any available local music organizations, e.g. brass bands, orchestras, wind bands, big bands and of course private or public (music) schools. Generally people appreciate being contacted and often happy to help and connect

Good luck and have fun!

[StephenK]

I've no personal knowledge, but maybe worth a look?
http://www.mhopkin.co.uk/htb/learners.html

[JessHTB]

I've no personal knowledge, but maybe worth a look?
http://www.mhopkin.co.uk/htb/learners.html

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for your replies - I do actually have weekly lessons with Mel (and play in the band!), but he did say his specialty isn't really the trombone. He is instead an excellent cornet player.

I receive brilliant advice in my lessons on musicality and brass playing in general; however, like you said in your first reply, I'm thinking there may be some trombone-specific things I'd need to learn that I'll struggle to research for myself. For example, I have no clue what instrument maintenance I need to do or where to even start. Each online guide seems to be different and I'm not sure what to purchase

I'll admit, I've felt a bit awkward asking Mel about nearby trombone teachers he may know of, even though I'd still want to continue lessons with him each week. I think I just need to bite the bullet and ask after the Christmas season.

I'll have a look at the British Trombone Society and enquire there about teachers in the area too. I hadn't thought of enquiring about teachers at private schools either

Thank you for your help!

[StephenK]

Well that was a bit of a coincidence!
Maintenance is certainly a bit different on trom to cornet. Every player develops their own routine, but basically it's important to keep things really clean, especially the slide, and lubricated. So you absolutely need a flexible brush, hand slide lubricant, tuning slide grease/lubricant. I find the slide o mix sheath/rod invaluable to keep the outer slide really clean ( or brass saver) (do not use it on the inner slide). Red is small/ medium bore, blue is for large bore. Slide lubricant is personal taste, Yamaha slide lubricant is widely recommended here, I also use trombotine on one of my instruments. (I don't use slide o mix lube, but many do). A regular clean in the bath with flexi brush and washing up liquid is the way to go. If you have a valve, you need valve oil and spindle oil.
The other really significant thing you mention is learning/playing in a brass band. This is great for getting plenty of face time and playing a lot of music. However, brass bands read off Bb treble clef. It's not used anywhere else for trombone, so it's important to learn to read bass clef (and other) parts, and that's also where a trom teacher comes in. I learnt in a BB (North lincs), but on day 1 the director had me playing bass clef away from band. I'd guess 98% of music for trombone is not written in treble.
If you get the chance of a BTS event, its worth going.
Good luck, you sound to be on a good track!

[AtomicClock]

but he did say his specialty isn't really the trombone. He is instead an excellent cornet player.

My first trombone teacher lasted only a year (I think I drove him to quit teaching!), and during that time, I remember mostly learning to read music and basics of rhythm & slide position -- things a cornettist can teach. After that, I took lessons from my sister's clarinet teacher. I learned a lot from him, but mostly about making music. The big gaps in my education fell into the following categories:

• instrument maintenance: Nowadays, it should be easy to find a set of Youtube videos or blog posts that explain how to do maintenance. I was just given the basic tools StephenK describes, and had to figure it out for myself. The big thing you won't get from a video is what a proper slide should feel like. How good is good enough.
• sound concept: It was a real revelation the first time I heard a professional play in one of my lessons.
• brass mechanics: Things like firm corners, air production, tongue position -- these weren't discussed at all my my woodwind teacher. But there's a good chance Mel will cover these.

However, brass bands read off Bb treble clef. It's not used anywhere else for trombone, so it's important to learn to read bass clef (and other) parts, and that's also where a trom teacher comes in.

In another thread, JessHTB talks about playing the Blazhevich duets on bassoon. So I think she has clefs covered.