This document is intended as a reference guide to some of the more popular method books available to the euphonium player. Most of the books described are for the advanced player, but a short section of useful beginner methods is also included. The categories used are arranged alphabetically, and the methods within each are alphabetized by author. The categories are as follows:

Beginner Methods: A short selection of some of the best 1st year books available.

Clef Studies: These range in level from introductory to advanced.

General Studies: Methods with a variety of etude styles and exercises.

Legato Studies: Melodic etudes that are mostly slurred.

Low Register Studies: Bass trombone books.

Technical Studies: Books of exercises and/or etudes that specifically on work speed, flexibility, high range, etc.

Explanation of difficulty levels:

1. Beginner

2. 2nd to 3rd year

3. High School

4. Advanced H. S. to college

5. Advanced college to graduate

These levels are by no means exact, so one might find for example that a 2nd year book will occasionally be helpful to a college player for certain techniques.

Title: Walter Beeler Method for the Baritone

Author: Walter Beeler

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 2

Publisher: Remick Music Corp.

Length: Vol. 1-71 pgs., vol. 2-48 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-2

Walter Beeler's method has been a favorite for private instructors for many years. It combines graduated melodies with complimentary exercises in various keys, and even has a few duets sprinkled throughout. There is a section describing good fundamentals of posture, breathing, etc., and even a short dictionary of musical terms. Book 2 has longer exercises, melodies and duets, with harder keys and technical demands.

Title: 25 Progressive Etudes (at the Elementary Level)

Author: John Corina

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: appr. 18 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-2

What makes this book appealing is the wide variety of rhythms covered, while staying in a 1st year tessitura. However, as with some other TUBA publications, there are printing problems. In this case, the notes are too large and widely spaced, which can cause a strain on the eyes of a student used to reading standard size notation in daily class.

Title: Do It! Play Baritone-Euphonium

Author: James O. Froseth and Brian Bowman

Arranger/Editor: Marguerite Wilder and Molley A. Weaver

Volumes: 1

Publisher: GIA publications

Length: 48 pgs.

Difficulty: 1

What is unique about this method among others is its emphasis on ear-training. A CD is included, which gives the beginner the opportunity to try simple improvisations, learning tunes by ear, playing with accompaniment, and matching a characteristic tone (provided by Dr. Bowman). It is also good in that it uses more 6/8 time than most others, but it also relies too heavily on the CD to teach rhythm aurally, whereas most other methods teach a more mechanical approach to how a beat is subdivided. However, many excellent melodies and duets are used, as well as minor and modal scales.

Title: Practical Hints on Playing the Baritone (Euphonium)

Author: Brian Bowman

Arranger/Editor: James Ployhar

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Warner Bros.

Length: 32 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-2

This would be a best used as a companion to a method book. It is a useful encyclopedia of sorts, containing mostly text with illustrations. A little of the information on equipment and recordings is out-dated (1983), but the rest is timeless.

Title: Rubank Elementary Method for Trombone or Baritone

Title: School Daze

Author: Warner Hutchinson

Arranger/Editor: Allan Koplan

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: 28 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-2

Most of the etudes in here are short, but a few cover almost a full page. The author covers a lot of rhythmic and tonal material, so 2nd year players can benefit as well. What is best is the opportunity for teaching expression, since each tune is a "tone-poem" of sorts describing experiences at school.

Title: Rubank's Elementary Method

Author: Newell H. Long

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Rubank

Length: 52 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-2

Strictly a collection of graduated melodies and exercises without much in explanatory text, this method requires a teacher's guidance throughout. However, it covers more rhythms and techniques than most other 1st year methods without going into any difficult keys or upper range. The most difficult material covered is compound meter, 1/16ths, dotted 1/8ths, and even other clefs.

Title: Clef Studies for Trombone

Author: Vladislav Blazhevich

Arranger/Editor: Donald Hunsberger

Volumes: 1

Publisher: MCA Music

Length: 88 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

Many of these etudes are in other works that use Blazhevich etudes, but without the frequent clef changes. This book starts out with some daily drills and then moves on to the clef changing etudes. Some scales and scale exercises are included for the each new key introduced, and many different keys are used. The last 1/2 of the book is more difficult, with more upper register and awkward clef changes. Only alto, tenor, and bass clefs are used.

Title: Legato Etudes for Euphonium

Author: G. Concone

Arranger/Editor: John Shoemaker

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Roger Dean

Length: 32 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

This is listed as a clef studies entry rather than legato because unlike the same material published by others, this book uses tenor, treble, and bass clef. In addition, it places some etudes in a lower 8va than other books.

Title: Introducing the Tenor Clef/ Alto Clef

Author: Reginald Fink

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 2

Publisher: Accura Music

Length: around 30 pgs. each

Difficulty: 3-4

Both of Fink's clef studies are extremely well thought out. They began with a short explanation of reading the clef, and then move on to graduated melodies in the clef. He uses etudes from Bach to Blazhevich, and uses etudes that change clefs as well. The range is not too difficult, making this ideal for high school players as well.

Title: 30 Etudes

Author: David Uber

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Southern Music

Length: 24 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

This book has a good variety of etudes. They are in a contemporary style, but all are tonal. Most etudes use tenor clef, and the upper register is somewhat advanced.

Title: Symphonic Studies in Alto Clef

Author: David Uber

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Rebu Music

Length: 23 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

These are not Symphonic excerpts, as the title implies, but etudes in alto clef that would help one deal with symphonic literature using alto clef. The range is challenging, and there is a good variety of style, but the music sometimes goes lower than a real world example would without changing back to bass clef. No extreme keys are used as well.

Title: Arban Complete Method for Trombone and Euphonium

Author: Jean Baptiste Arban

Arranger/Editor: Joseph Alessi and Dr. Brian Bowman

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Encore Music

Length: 394 pgs.

Difficulty: 2-4

This is a new edition of the famous old Arban's cornet conservatory method. Unlike the last bass clef edition, this one is printed more clearly, note spacing is better, and all of the duets and melodic phrasing studies are included. Many exercises have performance hints from the editors included. It should be noted that it is more expensive than possibly any other method ($45-50 at present), but is well worth it due to its size and scope.

Title: Suites 1, 2, and 3 for Violoncello Alone.

Author: J. S. Bach

Arranger/Editor: Robert Marsteller

Volumes: 2 (Suites 4, 5, and 6 in vol.2)

Publisher: Southern Music Co.

Length: 27 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

Since these works were originally for cello, there are many wide leaps that require great flexibility. Nothing is written very high, however, and no difficult keys are used. Therefore, this is excellent for moderate to advanced players to work flexibility in a melodic fashion.

Title: Quinze Etudes De Rythme

Author: Marcel Bitsch

Arranger/Editor: Gabriel Masson

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Alphonse Leduc

Length: 15 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

As the title states, these are etudes that test ones rhythm. Not many key centers are explored, but many rhythmic divisions are. All of the etudes switch frequently from bass to tenor clef, and cover the entire range of the instrument. Several different styles are represented, as well.

Title: Sixteen Studies for Solo Euphonium

Author: Allan Blank

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: 19 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

Unfortunately, these etudes are printed in a "ball-point pen" style manuscript that is difficult to read. Some of the note beams and accidentals are smudged, and there are even some misprints rhythmically. However, these are different sorts of etudes than what is typical; some are even on the comical side, and are a worthy challenge.

Title: Treize Etudes Caprices De Grande Difficulte

Author: E. Bozza

Arranger/Editor: Andre Lafosse

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Alphonse Leduc

Length: 15 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

Covering the entire range of an advanced player and various styles, this is a very challenging book. The changes from bass to tenor clef (no alto) seemed contrived and cruel at times, and some of the generally accepted notation rules for chromatic passages are ignored, making some etudes frustrating to read at first.

Title: Rhythmical Articulation

Author: Pasquale Bona

Arranger/Editor: William Fitch

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 47 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

Taken from Bona's vocal studies, these are all pleasingly melodic pieces. There is an emphasis on changing articulation rhythms, and intervals. All are at least 1 page in length, and no extreme keys are used.

Title: Douze Etudes de Haut Perfectionnement pour Trombone

Author: Roger Boutry

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Alphonse Leduc

Length: 19 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

These 12 etudes certainly require "high perfection", or very advanced playing. Clef changes are frequent, and wide intervals are common. Some use key signatures, but all have an "a-tonal" flavor.

Title: The Euphonium and 4-Valve Brasses

Author: Harold T. Brasch

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: 175 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

Parts of this large work are almost like a dictionary of low brass technical and musical info. Some of it is dated, since the original publication of this is some 50 years old. It contains mostly exercises, but also some delightful etudes and solos. There are many pages of written instructions, with illustrations as well.

Title: 30 Contemporary Etudes for Solo Trombone (Baritone)

Author: Charles Campbell

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Univ. of Miami Publications

Length: 36 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

This book is unique in that it uses rock, jazz, and other "pop" styles, in addition to classical. The range is not generally high but some rhythms are a challenge.

Title: Develope Sightreading

Author: Gaston Dufresne

Arranger/Editor: Roger Louis Vaison

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Charles Colin

Length: 59

Difficulty: 4

Arranged in a progressive order of difficulty, these become quite challenging as they advance. Tenor clef, tricky rhythms, meter changes, and unusual meters are all used.

Title: Advanced Musical Etudes for Trombone and Euphonium in Bass Clef

Author: Various

Arranger/Editor: Reginald Fink

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Accura

Length: 95 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

This is a book of 112 Rhythmic and melodic studies based on Blazhevich etudes. It is a combination of the Blazhevich etudes one finds in the Voxman studies and the tuba Blazhevich volumes 1 and 2.They are edited more with the trombone in mind, so a euphonium player sees some articulations placed within slurs occasionally. Dynamics are well indicated, as well as tempi, etc.

Title: Twenty-Five Characteristic Etudes

Author: Gregory Fritz

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: 50 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

Most of these etudes are a-tonal in nature, so some of the intervals can be hard to hear at first. An extremely wide tessitura is used, from very low to "Double F". Many wide leaps are used as well, but none of the keys are extreme.

Title: Odd Meter Etudes for all instruments in Treble Clef

Author: Everett Gates

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Sam Fox

Length: 24 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

This is a valuable tool to teach various compound and mixed meters. It is not taxing range-wise, which makes it accessible to younger players. In addition, many helpful ideas are printed at the bottom of several etudes. It is also published only in treble clef.

Title: Contemporary Studies

Author: Anthony Girard and Patrice Sciortino

Arranger/Editor: Fernand Lelong

Volumes: 8

Publisher: Gerard Billaudot Editeur

Length: approx. 40 pgs each

Difficulty: 2-5

The first 6 volumes are by Sciortino, and the last 2 are by Girard. They are progressive in order, and have longer etudes as the difficulty increases. The printing is clear, and the editing is well done. The 8 volumes cover all manner of intonation, flexibility, phrasing, velocity, etc. The writing is in a modern style, but tonal as well. The last 2 volumes are quite difficult, with very low melodic passages (making a compensating horn a must) and frequent high passages (without going above high "C"). Some tenor clef is used, as well.

Title: Rubank Advanced Method for Trombone or Baritone

Author: Various

Arranger/Editor: WM. Gower and H. Voxman

Volumes: 2

Publisher: Rubank

Length: 76 pgs.

Difficulty: 3

This is an excellent collection of Scale and arpeggio exercises, duets, and etudes. There is also a section of flexibility studies, a guide to ornamentation, a few short solos, and a musical terms dictionary. Volume 1 covers basic key signatures, and volume 2 uses the rest. The range of volume 2 is also generally higher than volume 1.

Title: Sixty selected Studies for Trombone

Author: C. Kopprasch

Arranger/Editor:

Volumes: 2

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 27 pgs. each

Difficulty: 4

The first volume contains 34 etudes. For the first few pages they are more short, graduated exercises than musical etudes, but soon evolve into full page studies. Some tenor and alto clef is used, and almost every key is visited. Many etudes are in the form of repetitive exercises, but several are challenging melodic studies. The entire range of the instrument is used, from "D" below the staff to high "C".

Title: The Trombone Virtuoso

Author: Simone Mantia

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 123 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

This is a very old book that is newly published by Carl Fischer. Mr. Mantia, one may recall, played with J. P. Sousa's band. Although some of the information within is dated, there are many good written instructions, as well as graduated etudes and exercises. He also uses alto, tenor, and even treble clefs.

Title: New Concert Studies for Euphonium

Author: Various

Arranger/Editor: Steven Mead

Volumes: 4

Publisher: de haske

Length: Av. 48 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

This series is an ongoing project at the time of this paper. At present there are 4 volumes, with each addressing a different aspect of playing. There is a jazz volume, one of duets, etc. They are well printed, and come with a play-along C.D. The range is generally suitable for high school, and a wide variety of styles are represented

Title: 24 Studies

Author: Ernest Paudert

Arranger/Editor: Henry Howey

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Southern Music

Length: 49 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

This is a good general collection of etudes, with a special emphasis on ornamentation. No difficult keys are used, and the range is never extreme.

Title: Twenty-One Etudes for Euphonium

Author: Stan Pethel

Arranger/Editor: Kary Vrieze

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: Approx. 30 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

The page numbers are approximate, because none are given. The etudes are great, with even some jazz styles included, but the slurs and ties are poorly printed and difficult to see at times. In addition, the music is printed larger than what is standard, which can be hard on the eyes. Tenor clef is used often.

Title: Sixteen Studies for Euphonium

Author: William Presser

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: TUBA Press

Length: Approx. 18 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

Unlike some other TUBA Press books, this one is printed quite clearly and accurately in standard size notation. The etudes are very difficult, with wide intervals and frequent trips to the upper register. Tenor and alto clefs are used, as well as difficult rhythms.

Title: 66 Studies for Bass Clef Trombone and Euphonium

Author: Anton Slama

Arranger/Editor: R. Fink

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Accura

Length: 46 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

As the title suggests, these are all etudes in bass clef. There are some difficult rhythms and keys used, but the upper register is not too difficult. The variety of styles is also good.

Title: Selected Studies for Baritone

Author: Various

Arranger/Editor: H. Voxman

Volumes: 1.

Publisher: Rubank

Length: 72 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

This book contains etudes in all major and minor keys, with a few enharmonic keys as well. The selections are by noted etude composers such as Blazhevich and B` hme. They are written in many different styles and meter, with ornamentation as well. There is a special section of scales and arpeggio studies, and a section for velocity, interval, tonguing, and cadenza studies. Some of the etudes use more upper register than others, but none go below the staff.

Title: Melodious Etudes for Trombone

Author: Marco Bordogni

Arranger/Editor: Joannes Rochut

Volumes: 3

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: Approx. 90 pgs. each

Difficulty: 4

These etudes are selected from the vocalise of Marco Bordogni, the 19th-century voice teacher. They have been transcribed from the originals and arranged in a somewhat progressive manner, with the later volumes containing longer and generally higher etudes. The melodies are well written and mostly lyrical. they are especially useful for teaching melodic interpretation, as well as ornamentation, key signatures, breath control, etc.

Title: Guiseppe Concone: The Complete Solfeggi

Author: G. Concone

Arranger/Editor: John Korak

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Balquhidder Music

Length: 144 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

Unlike some other Concone studies, Mr. Korak has tried to stay true to the original studies by staying in a vocal range and avoiding unusual keys. This would be a excellent book for studies in melodic interpretation, phrasing, and tone.

Title: Selection of Concone Studies for Trombone or Baritone

Author: Concone

Arranger/Editor: Donald S. Reinhardt

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Elkan-Vogel inc.

Length: 16 pgs.

Difficulty: 2-3

These are vocal studies much like Rochut's Bordogni etudes. Most are at least a full page, and have more dynamics and breath marks than the Rochut. In addition, since more of the etudes are easier in nature, this would be a fine precurser to the Rochut for young players.

Title: Studies in Legato

Author: Concone, Marchesi, Panofka

Arranger/Editor: Reginald H. Fink

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 47 pgs.

Difficulty: 3

This contains many of the same etudes in the same key as the Reinhardt Concone book, but is longer and has the additional Marchesi and Panofka etudes. It is, however, directed very specifically to trombone techniques, so many of the instructions (and even a few of the preliminary exercises) will be of little use to euphonium players.

Title: Thirty-six Studies for Trombone with F Attachment

Author: O. Blume

Arranger/Editor: Reginald H. Fink

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 45 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

This book seems to be intended more for the bass trombone than simply a tenor with F attachment, as the title implies. Most of the etudes spend considerable time below the staff. They are usually in the form of scale or arpeggio studies, with a few melodic pieces scattered throughout. It would be useful for improving ones flexibility and visual recognition in the low register.

Title: Douze Etudes Rhythmiques et Melodiques pour Trombone-Basse

Author: Michel Delqiudice

Arranger/Editor: Paul Bernard

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Editions Max Eschig

Length: 25

Difficulty: 5

These will be in the extreme low range for most euphonium players. A compensating horn is necessary, as well as a good pedal register. There is a good variety of style, rhythm, and tonality within the etudes, and no difficult keys are used.

Title: 30 Etudes for Bass Trombone

Author: David Uber

Arranger/Editor: Donald Knaub

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Southern Music

Length: 28 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

Although for bass trombone, most of the music stays on the staff. These can provide good melodic practice, however, since many rhythms and key centers are explored. Several styles are used as well, and the etudes are presented in graduated order.

Title: Arban-Prescott First and Second Year (for trombone or baritone)

Author: Arban

Arranger/Editor: Gerald R. Prescott

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Carl Fischer

Length: 79 pgs.

Difficulty: 2-3

Although the title sounds as though this is a book that a first year student could use for perhaps his entire first year, by the 10th page it extends into a second year student's upper register. Perhaps what is meant by "First and Second Year" is what one would study from Arban's Complete Method for the first two years of study at that level, not from beginner level to second year. The purpose of the Prescott method is to provide the best of the Arban studies that cover technical development of scales, arpeggios, articulation, phrasing, etc., in a smaller, less expensive format. The pages are numbered consecutively and with their original Arban numbers as well, so that one can refer to the complete Arban in their studies.

Title: Blazhevich Sequences for Trombone

Author: V. Blazhevich

Arranger/Editor: R. Fink

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Accura

Length: 63 pgs.

Difficulty: 5

These etudes consist of repetitive melodic sequences that move through all the diatonic tones of each key. The rhythms are sometimes challenging, as are the keys used.

Title: 31 Brilliant Etudes for Trombone or Baritone

Author: M. Blecer

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Cundy-Bettoney Co., Inc

Length: 19 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

These etudes are all meant to be fast, technical pieces. Most are not quite a full page, and some are only 3 lines in length. Most of the key centers are simple, however, the key of "E" is used once, and "A" is used twice. Many etudes contain wide leaps, and several reach high "Bb". One even reaches high "C", but several others are in a suitable range for younger players.

Title: 10 Caprices

Author: Bleger

Arranger/Editor: Allen Ostrander

Volumes: 1

Publisher: International

Length: 10 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-4

All of these are fast, technically demanding full-page etudes. The keys are simple, as are the rhythms. The main difficulty comes with the intervals and velocity.

Title: The Complete Trombone and Euphonium Scale Book

Author: Boosey & Hawkes

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: B. & H.

Length: 49 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-5

Every scale in all its major, minor, and modal forms is printed within. Some arpeggios are included, and some tenor clef is used.

Title: Lip flexibilities

Author: Charles Colin

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 3 (in one book)

Publisher: Charles Colin

Length: 80 pgs.

Difficulty: 2-5

The preface to this book(s) is 5 pages of very small print, with some good information on playing with endurance, practice habits, etc. The exercises then begin with simple lip slur studies that a 2nd year player could handle, and then advance until the upper range of just about any player would be exhausted.

Title: Progressive Studies for the High Register

Author: Keith Johnson

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Harold Gore

Length: 35 pgs.

Difficulty: 3-5

Using slurred arpeggios, scales, and intervals, this book approaches improving the upper register from a melodic approach. It reaches progressively higher as one works through it, so students of many levels can benefit.

Title: Warm-up Exercises for the Trombone

Author: Emory Remington

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Accura

Length: 9 pgs.

Difficulty: 1-4

Filled with flexibility exercises and his famous long-tones, this is a classic of the low brass repertoire. One can purchase another version of this that includes instructional notes and a C.D. with examples.

Title: Daily Drills and Technical Studies for Trombone

Author: Max Schlossberg

Arranger/Editor: Harry Freistadt

Volumes: 1

Publisher: M. Baron Co.

Length: 60 pgs.

Difficulty: 2-5

This is book that can be used for technical studies for a wide range of students. It starts with long tones, and later advances to the most demanding technical drills. The upper range increases accordingly as well.

Title: 38 studies for Trombone

Author: Werner

Arranger/Editor: Keith Brown

Volumes: 1

Publisher: International

Length: 40 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

All of the etudes in this book are fast-paced technical pieces. Most are in simple meters, with almost constant 1/16th notes. The most difficult keys are "A" and "Cb". the music never goes below the staff, but frequently visits 3 and 4 lines above the staff. Some of the last etudes use tenor clef as well.

Title: Chord Studies for Trombone

Author: Phil Wilson and Joseph Viola

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Berklee Music

Length: 162 pgs.

Difficulty: 4-5

Although intended as an aid to improving one's improvisational flexibility with different chords, this can also be used for general flexibility and reading skills. All of the exercises are arpeggiated chords with leading and passing tones between inversions. The rhythms are strictly duple or triple, and the upper range is advanced. The book covers 15 different keys, with chords ranging from C maj. to e minor⁷b5.

Title: 34 Etudes for trombone or Baritone

Author: Vobaron

Arranger/Editor: Ibid

Volumes: 1

Publisher: Cundy-Bettoney Co., Inc.

Length: 41 pgs.

Difficulty: 4

All of the etudes within are moderately fast to very fast technical pieces. There is also a section of 3 duets at the end, in addition to the 34 etudes. None of the keys or rhythms are especially taxing, but many wide leaps and high notes make this a challenge for a good high school or undergraduate player. The only drawback is that the printing is somewhat hand -written looking, and a few etudes have printed with a "smudged" look.