So you just received your first Arbans, upon the urging of your teacher or Band director. It arrives, and initial excitement is soon tamped down by the sheer immensity of the book itself. Now what? This primer should help...
Arban Exercises:
When playing many successive octaves, choose the longer slide positions that will accomodate the lower notes first - the upper ones can always be played in the long positions.
My favorite Arbans: (page numbers vary according to Arbans Book Edition, consult your Index)
- Basic Scales, Keys, p. 20-23 #11, 28,46,47
- Syncopation p. 33 #14
- Slurring p. 45 #1, 2, 15, p.51 #27-30, p. 60 #68,69
- Intervals p. 139 (new edition), p. 126 (old edition) - play in different rhythms, articulations, and dynamics; p. 146 (new edition) - #7 is my goal!
- Chromatics p.88
- Multiple Tonguing- begin with Double Tonguing, then on to Triple Tonguing
- Themes/Variations - Carnival of Venice, Fantasie Brillante, Variations of a Tyrolienne
- Delicate Attacks - practice upper range attacks with high tongue position in the mouth