The trombone emerged as a variation of the medieval trumpet when the
slide, in the form of a U-bend, was created (mid-15th century), immediately
producing an efficient and unique low brass instrument capable of playing
all chromatics. From that time to the present, the instrument has consisted
fundamentally of a bell section including attached inner slides, outer
slides, and mouthpiece, the tube being cylindrical up to a gradual expansion
toward the bell. The early trombone (sackbut) differs from its modern counterpart
primarily by its narrow tube of heavier metal, its small expansion at the
end, and its funnel-shaped mouthpiece similar to the horn, the result being
a mellow tone with command of soft through moderately loud dynamics, eminently
suitable for combining with voices, soft woodwinds, or strings. It was
soon characterized as a solemn instrument to be used at court, church,
and civic functions.
By the end of the 18th century, the trombone had acquired a flared bell
and tubular stays. It had also lost popularity temporarily. Its revival
was sparked by the need of the developing military bands for a brighter
sound with louder dynamics. Makers responded to this demand, thinning the
metal, enlarging the bore, and changing the mouthpiece to a hemispherical
shape with a sharp edge at the throat. Opera, having used trombones sporadically,
now exploited their brilliant tone, and by the mid-19th century German
orchestras had adopted three as a standard: the E-flat alto, B-flat tenor,
and F bass. The French, however, used three tenors. Eventually the French
usage prevailed, and the alto became obsolete. The third tenor was combined,
by means of a left-hand thumb valve, with tubing to extend the horn to
the bass range.
Experiments were made within the 19th century, including the production
of valved trombones, which sacrificed the unique chromatic accuracy of
the slide without contributing compensating advantages. Lasting changes
included the addition of a tuning slide with a weighted balancer, a water
valve, additional stays, a receiver pipe for the mouthpiece, and metal
alloys and overlays, especially applied to prevent wear in the slide and
to reduce friction in movement. Changed in function, but little in design,
from their Renaissance origins, trombones together with trumpets provide
a magnificent choir of brilliant brass tone for both orchestra and band.
Robert A. Warner
Bibliography: Baines, Anthony, Brass Instruments (1976); Bate, Philip,
The Trumpet and the Trombone: An Outline of Their History, Development
and Construction, rev. ed. (1978); Gregory, Robin, The Trombone: The Instrument
and Its Music (1973).
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