Fig. 2
The two descending motifs in bars 48 and 50 can easily turn into an approximate tasteless glissando so be careful to employ neat slurring and to show clarity with refinement. Mastering ‘legato’ is one of the more problematic areas of technique on the trombone. One must appreciate that to play smoothly between two notes the air must remain constant, however, moving on the same harmonic and crossing harmonics requires different solutions. To avoid the ‘dreaded’ glissando or ‘smear’ the slide must remain in the position for as long a possible and move to the next one coinciding exactly with a soft tongue, which briefly ‘interrupts’ the air column but doesn’t stop it. The ‘click’ experienced when gliding across harmonics should as far as possible match up to this, creating a pleasing unity.