The Clef Studies by Vladislav Blazhevich, composed in 1925 are a staple of the Trombone repertoire. Their quality is superb, not only for teaching the clefs, but solid technique and musical style as well.

Karl Lyden has brilliantly arranged Three Studies for Trombone Quartet inspired by the Blazhevich Clef Studies for Trombone based on numbers 56, 54 and 65 (subtitled Five Etude having a funk feel to it). They are very musically interesting, rhythmically challenging and fun to perform.

Here is a description of the Three Studies by arranger Karl Lynden:

"The seed for the Blazhevich Three Studies for Trombone Quartet came from my desire to write for my trombone quartet during undergraduate studies at Nebraska-Lincoln. I was tinkering with study No. 64 from Blazhevich?s Clef Studies for Trombone book and began to imagine pulsating trombone chords and ostinatos. The original was in 5/8 so I dubbed that arrangement ?Five Etude?.

Several years later, I had similar experiences with two other works from the book (No. 54 and 56). For the latter No. 56, I originally imagined it as a mournful duo between trombone and cello. I then flushed out the implied harmony to allow for four trombones.

No. 54 is more harmonically dense with an active bass line. It should be played majestically but come to rest in a subsided manner.For all three studies, I deviate slightly from the written form. However, the melody always remains constant as a means of generating new textures, harmonies, and rhythms. My hope is that trombonists in quartets will experience these familiar etudes in a new light."

Debussy's famous Clair de Lune adapted and revised so that beginners of all levels can perform the work, is in a tonally eased and reduced version, giving priority to the main theme of the piece. This version was made for bassoon quartet, for beginners who intend to learn the original work in the future.

Jordon Drumgoole has arranged four lesser-known gems by master Ragtime composer, Scott Joplin. Ragtime Suite for Trombone Quartet includes the following four rags:

1. Original Rags, 2. Euphonic Sounds, 3. Pineapple Rag and 4. March Majestic

These rags are arranged in very comfortable keys and have easy ranges for all parts; plus, they can be performed by moderately advanced performers. The entire Suite with all repeats contains 14 minutes of delightful music that will get everyone's feet tapping!