Noteworthy Takeaways from “Connecting the Dots”

Rather than give a formal review, here are some noteworthy thoughts that I took away from reading and playing through Altin Sencalar’s Connecting the Dots: The Warmup Guide for the 21st-Century Versatile Trombonist.

• In the “First Actions and Thoughts” section, the brief concepts described in the pre-playing and stretching sections are as important as the first notes played in the routine.
• With the lip slurs, the second measure helps the trombonist play the pattern in a rhythmic, “out of box” way that helps keep a focus on the routine that can oftentimes go into “auto-pilot” mode very quickly.
• Altin’s adjustment to the traditional 3-note lip slur, again, keeps the player engaged in the routine.
• The quick, fast-twitch use of sixteenth-note scale patterns teaches the player to have a fluid, yet precise motion in the slide.
• The exercises involving the first five notes of scales give a training regimen not only for multiple tonguing but also for slide coordination.
• The high range and false tone exercises give the player a proper understanding of pushing the boundary on both ends of the spectrum.
• Each exercise of this routine is backed with a purpose of why the particular exercise is important. The mental approach to warming up takes on a life of its own for understanding the physical approach, and Altin convincingly lays this out in the written text.
• Having either the physical and/or the digital copies of the routine book provides the player with easy accessibility in both using playing examples that show the variety for which the player can utilize these exercises and a full realm of each exercise within given key centers.
• Altin takes the traditional concept of a warm-up routine, then pushes – even challenges –  the trombonist to play the notes and patterns on the page because really! the instrument is capable of doing it. The player has to first believe they can through the instrument.
• Reminiscent of the famed Emory Remington/Donald Hunsberger warm-up routine book (I’ve still got my copy!), Connecting the Dots takes a similar yet modern approach to offer written-out patterns and playing examples supplemented by written commentary that is informative and in-depth for any trombone level.

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Connecting the Dots: The Warmup Guide for the 21st-Century Versatile Trombonist.