GROOVE SPA

LISTEN TO GROOVE SPA

Allow the Groove Spa to replenish and soothe you with the clean filtered tone of the alto trombone gliding smoothly in a simple melody as your hostess relaxes you with the gentle sweet sound of her voice.

Well, at least that’s what the brochure says.

In fact, this was a vehicle for me to try a few things. I created a different timbre for the horn using digital processing combined with what I’ll call a true analog peak limiter: I played the main trombone line using a plunger – not for a wa-wa effect, but just to absorb the peak energy from the horn. The result was a squeezed acoustic sound amplified and re-energized through a stack of various effects.

I also played with integrating the spoken voice with the music as an accent effect – something I love to do – going back a couple decades starting with Roy’s Theme.

For the full intended therapeutic effect, headphones are strongly encouraged.

Preview / Buy Book

I really like this interesting and well-disposed book. So many good thoughts, facts and tips on alto trombone. Good guidance for the searching alto souls out there. A must-have for the shelves.

– Håkan Björkman, Principal Trombone at Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

I highly recommend Alto Trombone Savvy for players around the world wanting advice on handling the alto trombone at the highest level. Classical and jazz players both share the same challenges, and it’s great to have this book in either bass or alto clef to help answer some of those challenges.

- Carsten Svanberg, International Trombone Soloist and Professor of Trombone at the University of Music and Arts Graz

For anyone interested in learning to play the alto trombone, whether for classical or jazz, this book is a must. Clearly written, with excellent exercises and links to audio examples, Michael Lake has provided the trombone world with a wonderful new resource.

– Ralph Sauer, Former Principal Trombone, Los Angeles Philharmonic