TromboneSolos.com is an interactive database built for the solo trombonist. This project originally started as a D.M.A. document by Jeremy Smith. Using several state music educator organization resources, this project compared various solos on how they were ranked by level of difficulty. By using a certain rubric designed for trombone solos, Jeremy then determined a reliable ranking for solos, as well as a key guide to be used on future solos to be added.
From the Abstract: Throughout the United States, various state music education associations have created a list of trombone solos for their solo and ensemble contests. While the lists are accessible, more detailed knowledge about each solo is limited. Items such as range, rhythm, tempo, or duration are unknown without looking at a copy of the sheet music. In addition, the difficulty level for many solos fluctuates from state list to state list. The purpose of this document is to develop a rubric system that classifies solos into a unified category for states and organizations, along with providing ways to bring new solos to their respective lists. Forty-five solos were selected for a process of examination with the developed rubric system. Additionally, this document also demonstrates how the interactive database, www.trombonesolos.com, allows visitors to learn about these selected solos, compares these solos to other solos of similar difficulty, and presents a platform to add more solos for future reference and contest performance.
Click the links below for details on how solos were calculated to find their level of difficulty.