Pitch Context Exercises are a simple way to develop both the muscles used for buzzing and application as well as some ear training skills. The “Beginner” level exercises give the user an opportunity to “practice with” (match pitch) to a single pitch (the Unison Tones exercises) or the “root” of different types of chords (Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, and Dominant 7). Intermediate to Advanced level recordings place the target pitch at various degrees (3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, etc.) within more and more complex chord types (major, minor, diminished, augmented, 7, 7b9, etc.).
The Beginner level recordings have been released on all audio platforms (Apple, YouTube, Spotify, etc.) and are free for you to use. The Intermediate and Advanced levels are exclusively available through BandCamp which allows a limited use before requiring purchase of the files.
All of these audio files have specific exercises designed for developing the embouchure through Buzzing and Application as outlined in The Balanced Trombonist – A Method Supplement.
Beginner Level = Look for the following
- Artist: The Balanced Trombonist
- Album: Pitch Context Exercises – Beginner
- Also on BandCamp
Practice with the PCE files:
The basic exercise layout for every PCE begins with a four beat click to set the tempo, followed by a piano tone to set the target note. The following measure is meant for your tone production alone, followed by the piano tone (Unison exercises) or tones (all other chord based exercises) where you can listen and adjust if needed. The next four beats should be used to audiate the next pitch, 1/2 step above (ascending tracks) or below (descending tracks) the last pitch.
Intermediate & Advanced Levels = Follow the links to BandCamp
- Intermediate, Vol 1
- Intermediate, Vol 2
- Advanced, Vol 1
- Advanced, Vol 2
