Meaning ‘large trumpet’ in Italian, the trombone is one of the heftier members of the brass family. It developed from the sackbut, an instrument commonly heard in court or church in the 16th and 17th centuries, but the modern day version only started making an appearance in orchestras in the late 18th century. With their distinctive sliding sound, trombones never fail to make a statement, and have been used in multiple musical genres from classical to reggae. Incidentally, they have often used to mark a death. Beethoven's funeral, for example, featured four trombonists.
What is a trombone made of?
Trombones are generally made of various metal alloys, with copper and zinc being the most common mixture.
Are there different kinds of trombones?
Yes! The main type of trombone is the standard B flat tenor trombone, which has been around since the early 17th century. But there’s also the bass and contrabass trombones, which are bigger and deeper than the tenor trombone, as well as the alto, soprano, sopranino and piccolo trombones, the latter two of which are extremely rare. Being smaller and lighter than the tenor trombone, the alto is often used by children who are taking their first steps as fledgling trombonists.
What are the different parts of the trombone?
The trombone consists of six major parts:
1. The bell
Even if you don't know diddly squat about the trombone, you can probably point to this whopping great big thing. It’s where the sound waves emerge from the instrument, hence its flared shape.
2. The bumper
This is a small piece of rubber at the end of the instrument that prevents it from hitting other things while it’s being played.
3. The counterweight
This chunky disc, which fastens onto the part of the instrument that’s furthest behind the player, is designed to make the trombone less front-heavy, making it easier to handle.
4. The mouthpiece
This is the cup-shaped attachment that’s positioned opposite the long slide. You blow into it to produce a sound.
5. The slide
If there’s one thing that makes the trombone distinctive, it must be the slide: that long bit that juts out under the bell. The longer the tubing, the lower the note; the shorter the tube, the higher the note.
6. The water key
Also known as the spit valve, this is a small lever found on the trombone’s main slide that you press in order to allow accumulated saliva to escape. Repulsive, but necessary.
How do you play the trombone?
Since the trombone is bulkier than the trumpet, it’s a little more difficult to play. You start by supporting the instrument firmly with the left hand and holding it with a relaxed right hand. You then use your right hand to move the slide. In order to blow, lightly close your lips (be careful not to puff out your cheeks), hold the mouthpiece to your mouth and blow out. If your lips vibrate and you hear a blowing sound, you’re probably doing it right. The higher the note you want to play, the quicker you will need to vibrate your lips.
A good book for adult beginners on the trombone is Walter Beeler's Method for the Trombone.
What is the range of the trombone?
Roughly two and a half octaves (for a tenor trombone), from from the ‘E’ on the ledger line below the stave in bass clef to the D on the second to top line of the stave in treble clef, though some trombonists can go higher.
How much does a trombone cost?
The average cost of a trombone for professionals is around £3500, but you can spend anything from £80 to £12000, depending on the quality of the instrument.
What are the best works for trombone?
When it comes to solo repertoire, the poor old trombone doesn’t get the quite same abundance of choice as the trumpet, let alone something like the violin. There are some noteworthy classical works, including Rimsky Korsakov’s lyrical Trombone Concerto of 1877, and Paul Hindemith’s notoriously challenging Trombone Sonata, which requires some serious technical feats from its soloist, such as triple tonguing.
On the whole, though, the 20th and 21st centuries have been kinder to this noble instrument. Luciano Berio made trombone history in 1966 with his epic Sequenza V, which calls for multiple extended techniques from the instrument - among them multiphonics (singing and playing at the same time, glissandi and producing sounds while inhaling. More recently, the composer Dani Howard showcased the instrument's colouristic potential in her Trombone Concerto, which was premiered in 2021.
Which accessories do you need for it?
To get the best out of your trombone, you need a mouthpiece that suits you. That requires paying close attention to the fit, to make sure that it works comfortably with your lips and tongue to produce the sound.
If you want to dampen the volume while practising - and what trombonist doesn't? - you’ll also need a mute. These are also a necessity for certain orchestral pieces that ask for a warmer, softer version of the trombone tone, such as George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
You’ll also want to make sure that your slide is running smoothly. And for this, it’s best to have a bottle of slide oil to hand.
