Endangered Instrument Series – Bass Trombone
Rhys has been a member of Sydney Youth Orchestras since 2014, beginning in on trombone in Symphonic Wind Orchestra before joining SYO Philharmonic in 2015 and The Sydney Youth Orchestra in 2016. He has been Principal Bass Trombone for The Sydney Youth Orchestra since 2017 and joined our 2017 International Tour to Europe. Rhys is in his third year at Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he studies with Christopher Harris, Principal Bass Trombone with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
What is your main instrument that you play in SYO? And do you play any other instruments?
I am Principal Bass Trombone in The Sydney Youth Orchestra. I also play tenor trombone and euphonium.
When did you start playing trombone and how long have you been playing?
I started playing in 2004, so 14 years.
What clef do you play in? Is it hard to learn a different clef?
Mostly bass clef – a little in tenor clef and it is currently a clef that I am learning. It’s tough but important.
What is your favourite piece(s) to play on bass trombone?
Brubeck Concerto for Bass Trombone
What are the top three reasons you would give to someone thinking about taking up trombone?
1. The slide is not only fun, but allows for a wealth of performance technique not available to other instruments
2. The trombone can access more power in its sound than most other instruments, which gives you great responsibility within an ensemble
3. The sound of the trombone has been likened as the closest instrument to the human voice – when you reach that sound, anything you play is rewarding
Brubeck Concerto for Bass Trombone
What are the top three reasons you would give to someone thinking about taking up trombone?
1. The slide is not only fun, but allows for a wealth of performance technique not available to other instruments
2. The trombone can access more power in its sound than most other instruments, which gives you great responsibility within an ensemble
3. The sound of the trombone has been likened as the closest instrument to the human voice – when you reach that sound, anything you play is rewarding
What is a myth or misconception about playing bass trombone?
Trombones aren’t just for loud notes – take a listen to the trombone chorales Brahms includes in his 1st and 4th symphonies for softer, nuanced trombone excerpts.
What is your favourite extended technique?
Flutter tongue
What is it like playing bass trombone in an orchestra?
You have a real sense of responsibility to the harmony, as a bass voice, and the balance, as an incredibly powerful instrument. You have to learn when is the right moment to unleash you potential, and when to blend into the sound of the group. And because of that, you can have great satisfaction in the unique colour you can bring out of the ensemble when it’s your turn to play out.
Trombones aren’t just for loud notes – take a listen to the trombone chorales Brahms includes in his 1st and 4th symphonies for softer, nuanced trombone excerpts.
What is your favourite extended technique?
Flutter tongue
What is it like playing bass trombone in an orchestra?
You have a real sense of responsibility to the harmony, as a bass voice, and the balance, as an incredibly powerful instrument. You have to learn when is the right moment to unleash you potential, and when to blend into the sound of the group. And because of that, you can have great satisfaction in the unique colour you can bring out of the ensemble when it’s your turn to play out.
Why should someone who plays trombone join Sydney Youth Orchestras?
SYO’s commitment to engaging young musicians with large-scale works means a bass trombonist has the best opportunity to play the music famous for great trombone parts. The Sydney Youth Orchestra taking on Bruckner 8, and the Wagner overtures tackled by SYO Philharmonic are just some of the examples of great music for trombone, and bass trombone, that isn’t as commonly performed in other youth ensembles and initiatives.
SYO’s commitment to engaging young musicians with large-scale works means a bass trombonist has the best opportunity to play the music famous for great trombone parts. The Sydney Youth Orchestra taking on Bruckner 8, and the Wagner overtures tackled by SYO Philharmonic are just some of the examples of great music for trombone, and bass trombone, that isn’t as commonly performed in other youth ensembles and initiatives.
