Both classical and jazz players benefit from being good at natural legato. It’s a fundamental part of trombone playing and helps you achieve smooth, light phrasing.
What is natural legato?
Natural legato means you only tongue the first note of a phrase; the slide does the rest. Patterns 1 and 2 are basically major triads played up and down around the circle of fourths (moving in fourths makes more sense musically as each chord becomes a dominant for the next). Pattern 3 combines the first two patterns.
Exercise patterns
Start slowly without a metronome, focusing on smooth slide movement and consistent airflow. When you feel comfortable, use a metronome to keep the tempo steady. Use alternate positions to improve intonation and make the intervals as smooth as possible.
Alternate positions and tips
If you’re a visual learner, choose the version of the sheet music with slide marks so you can get up to speed faster. If you’re more advanced, play from the version without slide marks and figure out the alternate positions yourself.
Sheet music and resources
Sheet music for this exercise is available in bass clef and treble clef. It’s also included in the 38‑page book Flexibility for Trombone.
Get practising!
Natural legato is essential for a beautiful trombone sound. If you enjoyed this exercise, leave a comment or join the member’s section for more flexibility and articulation exercises. There’s a wide selection of original trombone content waiting for you.
