Jazz Sight Reading Trombone -

F G A F | E D C D | C E G A | G F E D
(Resolve with a slight climax and then descend smoothly.)

Tips for Sight-Reading:

General Advice:

This example provides a basic structure. For actual use, you might want to add chord progressions, think about a walking bass line, or even improvise over the chords (if you're playing with others). Jazz sight-reading is not just about reading notes but feeling the groove and being able to adapt.

Title: Lydian Detour
Style: Medium-up swing (straight 8ths possible, but feel the implied triplet swing)
Key: Ab Lydian (concert) → shifts to B mixolydian b9 (bar 6)
Time: 4/4, with one 2/4 bar jazz sight reading trombone

& 4
-------------------------------------------------
|  G  B  D  F#   |  Eb  C  Ab  F   |  E  G  Bb  Db  |  A  C#  E  G   |
|  <-- ascending 7th chords (Abmaj7#11) -- alt. voicings with guide tones -->
|  F  Ab  B  D   |  Bb  Db  E  G   |  Eb  Gb  A  C   |  D  F  Ab  Cb  |
|  (descending whole-tone fragments, then tritone sub resolution)
|  G7alt  (F# Bb D Ab)   |  C-7b5  (C Eb Gb Bb)   |  B7#9 (B D# F# A C##) |  E-Δ7 (E G B D#)  |
|  ...play each chord as a broken 4-note pattern, swing eighths -->
To succeed, you cannot practice reading like a classical musician. You need three distinct skill sets working simultaneously.
This is the rite of passage for every jazz trombonist. Eventually, you will be handed a trumpet or saxophone part to double. F G A F | E D C
Don't panic.
The easiest way to transcribe at sight is to think in terms of intervals, not clefs.
Trombone’s unique challenge: you can’t “finger” a note silently like a valved instrument.
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Fast alternate positions | Use 1st position for Bb/F, 4th for G/D whenever possible. Avoid 5th–7th jumps. |
| Glissandos (written as a line between notes) | Only possible between positions moving the same direction. If impossible, fake it as a portamento (slide slightly). |
| Tricky leaps (e.g., F to B natural) | Memorize: B natural = 4th position (trigger engaged for B below staff). |
| Reading in sharp keys (rare) | Mentally transpose down a half step and add trigger. | General Advice:
Practice silent position shifts: Point slide to each position as you scan the line before playing.

Level 1 – Survival (first time through):

Level 2 – Functional (second pass):

Level 3 – Stylistic (third pass – as if you’ve rehearsed it):