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| The trombones form the middle of the orchestral brass section. They fill out the harmonies between the trumpets and the horns on top, and the low tuba below. They've been around a while. While Columbus was busy discovering America 500 years ago, King Henry VII had a band of four trombones. They were called sackbuts back then, but they were very like today's trombones. The modern trombone has a rich tenor voice. |
Composer: Ravel Piece: Bolero Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Conductor: Boulez |
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Most brass instruments use valves to produce different pitches. But the trombone uses a slide instead. Look at our trombonist, Frida, and you'll see how it works. She pushes and pulls the slide back and forth to change the length of tubing - which changes the pitch. She can play individual pitches, or gradually change the pitch by buzzing air continuously through the mouthpiece as she moves the trombone slide.
The trombone has a flared bell. The total length of an unwound trombone tube is 9 feet! |
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