TORONTO TROMBONE TEACHER

B. Mus. (Humber College)

Christopher Butcher is a musician firmly established as a representative of the global music village, transcending genre and cultural predisposition, and pleasing audiences across the world. As leader of the Heavyweights Brass Band Christopher has been behind one of the brightest lights to emerge on the Canadian music scene. Combine that with his extensive experience as a sideman, work as a radio host/producer, role as an educator/community builder, Christopher Butcher illustrates a promising portrait of an influential career in music.

Christopher moved to Toronto in his late teens and quickly built a solid reputation as one of Canada’s top trombone players in the most diverse musical scene on the planet, playing in the groups of many of the country’s most prestigious artists, including Jane Bunnett, Hilario Duran, Archie Alleyne, Jay Douglas, and QuiQue Escamilla among countless others. On special occasions Christopher has recorded or played with some of the finest international artists like Quincy Jones, The Treme Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Ernest Ranglin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Broken Social Scene, Dubmatix, Nikki Yanofsky, David Clayton-Thomas, and Randy Bachman. In 2015 Christopher was awarded Emerging Artist of the Year at the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and continues to run Street Brass with Uma Nota Culture, a community based ensemble that teaches and performs brass band music of the Americas.

Get to know Chris…Beyond the Bio!

Hobbies: Food, comedy, biking and a lot of music

Musical influences: Trombone Shorty, Treme Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis

Favourite food: Red Beans and Rice

Least favourite food: Any type of seafood

Favourite music: Jazz

Favourite song: So What

Favourite movie: Spaceballs

Favouirite movie music: Star Wars

Best quote from your teacher: “Play less notes”-Delfeayo Marsalis

Favourite quote: “Every great artist paints what he is”- Jackson Pollock

Favourite book: Miles

Best thing about teaching at ABC: Getting to spread a love for music and the Trombone!

Latest Homework from Chris

Is Chris Your Teacher?

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Wednesdays

Wednesdays

Hello all!

It was a great day to play brass – ideal to deal with the post-US-election blues.

Gaian

Very good to see you and dig into the work at hand.

ROCHUT

Record yourself. Insist on quality and diversity in:
•Rubato
•Dynamics
•Best possible slurs (over breaks w/o tongue, with valve w/o tongue, with tongue)
Divide & Conquer range issues:
•Remember to put the high notes together in context with those that come before and after for quality and control
•Make up your own range exercises

INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE

Keep your slides well lubricated for ideal pitch stability and purity of tone. Both are adversely affected by air escaping the dry slides.

COMPOSITION

Reset your score to the proper order of instruments from top to bottom. There are a lot of reasons for this, some historical, some to do with how melody is (typically) laid out, but for now you just want to get into the habit.
Remember to make sure that the middle of the bar is not obscured by quarter notes – use tied eighth notes in this situation.

You should definitely think about some basic harmony instruction (YouTube?) to get an understanding of how melody can be supported in accompanying parts. I am pleased that you’ve chosen to pursue this, and impressed with your instinctive choices for your arrangement.

Rolando

We missed you again this evening! Please do call the office and let us know how we can adjust the schedule. 416-651-7529.

In the meantime, mix up your routine to keep things fresh and be sure to find even just a few minutes to keep your face limber. This makes a world of difference. When trying to keep things fresh, be creative about all of your approaches to your playing, from warm-up through your musical practice. Get creative and try things – you’ll be surprised at what works!

It was great to fill in for you, and I am sure I will do that again later this academic year. Keep up the good efforts!

Barn.

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Preferred Books for Chris’ Students

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Remington Warm-Up Studies

Cover of Remington Trombone Warm-Up Studies

An annotated collection of the famous daily routine developed by The Chief, Emory B.Remington. 63 of the studies used to train some of the worlds finest trombonists. Dr. Hunsberger also includes the text of interviews he conducted with The Chief before his death. Remington talks about his singing style, the correct way to tongue, a concept of sound, flexibility, a legato approach, security in the high register, and relaxation. Also contains 12 diatonic pattern scales, a Sample Routine, and an index.

ABC Academy is unable to provide a cost effective and speedy online source for this book. Please call a local music retailer to find a copy.

Melodious Etudes for Trombone

Cover of Melodious Etudes edited by Johannes Rochut

Widely considered among Trombonists as an almost sacred musical text, the Melodious Etudes of Marco Giulio Bordogni are required learning for musical style, range, and expression for the developing and serious Trombone student.

We are currently unable to find a good online source for this book. Please call a local retailer to secure a copy.

Arban Complete Method for Trombone

Arban’s fundamental method book for trumpet was first published in 1864 and has held a top spot in trumpet studies ever since. In 1936, two of the finest trombonists of the day, Charles Randall and Simone Mantia, revised the method for trombone, creating the basis for trombone studies over the ensuing 75 years. Today, Alan Raph brings the Arban into the 21st century, enhancing and expanding the complete Arban text, and addressing new skills and techniques developed up to current times. Sections have been expanded (i.e., scales, arpeggios), and new sections have been added (i.e., slide drills, contemporary forms of double and triple tonguing). Alternate positions have been updated and expanded. Sometimes F-attachment positions are given to facilitate awkward slide movements.

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Chris Butcher