There is no band without the trombone, a brass wind instrument similar to the trumpet but larger and with a deeper sound. Its origins are very ancient, and its exact provenance remains uncertain. However, the adoption of the Italian term “trombone” in all countries suggests that the instrument’s origin is also Italian.

Whether it uses pistons or a slide, the trombone produces an endless variety of sounds and never goes unnoticed. The following sections are entirely dedicated to this fascinating instrument, examining its history, from its origins to the present day, its features, sound, and usage.

History of the Trombone

The trombone originated in the second half of the 15th century as an evolution of the trumpet, to meet the need for lower-pitched sounds. Apart from the smaller bell with minimal flare, which produced a softer and more melodious sound, and the narrower bore, early instruments already resembled modern trombones in appearance.

Depictions of this instrument can be found in various 15th-century paintings, including the fresco “The Assumption of the Virgin” by the Italian painter Filippino Lippi and a work by Perugino housed in the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid.

One of the most significant works dedicated to the trombone is the Syntagma musicum by Michael Praetorius, which describes four versions of the “Posaune”: Alt (alto), Gemeine (tenor), Quart, Quint, and Octav.

In every country, the trombone had a different name; for example, it was called “sackbut” in England. However, over time, the Italian name “trombone” was adopted worldwide. It is worth noting that the main trombone makers were based in Nuremberg, Germany, and the Flemish region of Belgium.

The trombone was prominently used in the 17th century, notably in Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, where trombones of different registers were included in the orchestra. However, its use declined towards the end of the century, particularly in England, but it remained a church instrument in Austria and Germany. Here, it became an integral part of the symphony orchestra, thanks to composers like Gluck (Iphigenia in Tauris) and Mozart (in choral doublings in his masses, in Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, and solo parts like the Tuba mirum in his Requiem).

With Beethoven and Schubert, the trombone found its place in symphonies. During the same period, its popularity grew in German military bands, which led to the change of its fundamental pitch from A to B-flat, the expansion of the bore, and the introduction of the F-attachment.

In the late 19th century, the mute was introduced, as evidenced by some of Richard Strauss’s tone poems.

The trombone’s potential was fully realized in technical and expressive aspects with the rise of jazz, where it often took on a solo role, thanks to musicians like Tommy Dorsey, who made the instrument essential.

Main Features of the Trombone

The trombone is a brass wind instrument made of a curved brass tube, cylindrical for three-quarters of its length, becoming slightly conical towards the end and terminating in a flared bell.

In slide trombones, also known as “trombones with a slide,” the instrument’s front tube, bent back on itself, moves freely back and forth on the fixed rear section, allowing the player to adjust the tubing’s length to produce lower or higher pitches.

Some trombones have an F-attachment, an additional tube attached to the bell section, which the player operates to reach the farthest slide positions more easily.

The trombone consists of three main parts: the fixed part, which includes the bell, the slide, a U-shaped movable section, and a mouthpiece, where the player’s lips vibrate to create sound.

The trombone is typically made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc that comes in different colors depending on the copper content. Specifically, trombones can be made of three types of brass:

• Yellow brass (70% copper, 30% zinc), which produces a slightly brighter sound;

• Gold brass (85% copper, 15% zinc), which adds depth and complexity to the sound;

• Red brass (90% copper, 10% zinc), which creates a warmer sound.

Besides the slide trombone, there is also the piston trombone, where sound regulation occurs via pistons that adjust the tubing’s length. Although faster for certain passages, the piston trombone has been largely replaced by the slide trombone, which offers better pitch control and allows for effects not possible with pistons. Today, it is primarily used in marching bands.

Types of Trombone

The trombone family includes various models that differ in size and fundamental pitch. The main types of trombones are:

• Tenor Trombone: The most common model, often used for beginners, is pitched in B-flat, one octave below the trumpet. It has a bore diameter of 12.2–13.9 mm and comes in different lengths. A tenor trombone with F-attachment allows the pitch to change from B-flat to F.

• Soprano Trombone: Rarely used, it is mainly found in Baroque (e.g., Gluck) and jazz contexts. It is pitched an octave above the tenor trombone and resembles a B-flat soprano valve trumpet in sound.

• Alto Trombone: Typically pitched in E-flat (a fourth above the tenor), it is ideal for playing music from before the Wagnerian era that requires a slightly higher register.

• Bass Trombone: A rarer variant of the tenor trombone, with a wider bore and two F-attachments. This design allows for richer low harmonics at the expense of weaker high notes. The most common version is pitched in B-flat, while the F version with a single attachment is much less common.

• Contrabass Trombone: The lowest-pitched model in the trombone family, not to be confused with the cimbasso, a hybrid between a bass trombone and a tuba. The most common version is pitched in F and is used, for example, in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. There is also a less common B-flat version.

How to Play the Trombone

The trombone is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece, where the player’s lips vibrate. The diversity of sounds is achieved through different lip positions (embouchure) and by moving the slide to different positions.

As it has no keys, the trombone is quite challenging to play. The player must learn to position the slide with great precision to hit the correct notes. Furthermore, aspiring trombonists, especially children, may find it difficult to hold the instrument and reach the farthest slide positions. To address this, companies like Yamaha have produced lighter models with smaller slides and special attachments designed for young players.

What Does It Sound Like?

Thanks to the slide, the trombonist has access to harmonics in the seven positions of the trumpet, allowing for a wide range of the chromatic scale. With the trombone, it is possible to express a broad spectrum of human emotions, from strength to tenderness, from a cry to a whisper, from drama to humor.

The trombone’s sound is deep, powerful, and majestic. It can be muted by inserting a funnel-shaped device made of leather, metal, or other materials (mute) into the bell. Different types of mutes include Straight, Cup, Solo Tone, Wha-Wha, Harmon, Pixie, Velvet, Plunger, and Hat, among others.

The Trombone Across Musical Genres

The trombone is one of the most versatile and complete musical instruments. Its most fascinating aspect is that its repertoire spans multiple worlds and styles.

Initially used in sacred music and, for its energetic solemnity, as a military instrument, the trombone reached its peak in jazz, albeit in a subordinate position to trumpets and saxophones.

Today, the trombone is used in various musical genres. Thanks to its well-defined expressive capabilities, it is commonly found in many musical ensembles, including classical orchestras, American-style Big Bands, brass groups, wind orchestras, pop music, military and civic bands, dance music, rock bands, funk, ska, and swing groups.