Teaching concepts and techniques utilized by three American trombone professors

Abstract

Three trombone educators were chosen according to predetermined criteria of teaching position, longevity, activity, studio output, availability, and geographical location: Edwin D. “Buddy” Baker, Vem L. Kagarice, and Irvin L. Wagner. These educators were interviewed, and a questionnaire was developed to facilitate the interview process. Transcriptions of the interviews were examined to gain insight into the teaching content, style, and philosophy of the selected educators. The teaching content, style, and philosophies of the educators were presented separately as models of exceptional and successful teaching. The teaching of all three was then compared and contrasted. Despite profoundly differing views on methodology, many common elements were discovered. The common elements were all derived from the educator's common goal of teaching students to become fine musicians and fine trombonists.