Brass Instruments: History and Uses
Trombones
Trombones were the first brass instrument to appear in history about the same as they do today. The name "trombone" means "big trumpet." About 500 years ago, the ends of an extra U-shaped slide were inserted into the sound tube of a natural trumpet in the bass range, and there it was!The sound on a trombone is made by blowing into a "cup mouthpiece", and the notes are made by placing the slide in one of 7 positions--the longer the tube, the lower the note.Although most of us are used to seeing these slide trombones, valve trombones are still quite popular in brass bands. Trombones are widely used in orchetras, marching bands, jazz bands, and klezmer ensembles. Both kinds of trombones are illustrated below.
Amati Slide (top) and Valve (bottom) Trombones
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