This master’s projcet investigated how breathing technique, breath support and air flow, can be taught systematically, consciously and flexibly to tenor trombonists (jazz). Technique is often tackled ad hoc when something goes wrong in playing repertoire. But what if we turn that around? What if we just integrate technique preventively and in a structured way into teaching practice and make this entirely more cohesive?

The focus is not on complicated theory, but on usable solutions for practice. A method was developed in which repertoire is chosen to support technical growth accompanied by targeted, explicit exercises that can be linked to that repertoire. So the student works on technique without it just feeling like ‘plain exercises’.

By testing this out with three students in different teaching environments (part-time education, conservatory and private), we investigated how this can work. The observations, reflections and results show that focusing on breathing technique not only improves sound and control, but also increases playing pleasure.

This thesis is intended for those who teach, learn or just want to better understand how instrument technique and repertoire can come together more throughout a course. Because good technique is not just a detail, it is the engine behind every note.