Trombone Music

A little history

The trombone and its music have a long and complicated history that we can trace back at least to the
15th century. Some argue for even more ancient heritage, citing the principle of raising or lowering
pitch in brass instruments that dates back to Tyrtaeus in the late 7th century. The emergence of the
actual instrument is somewhat mysterious, although it began to see common usage in the alta cappella
tradition in Renaissance Music. This was a trio of wind instruments that would play “loud music” at
formal events and consisted of some combination of shawms or bombards (oboe and clarinet-like
woodwinds) and a trumpet. Initially, the innovation was that of a “slide trumpet” with a single straight
slight that essentially moved the leadpipe in or out. This increased the chromaticism of the instrument,
which had previously been mostly limited to the natural overtone series of the instrument.

This gave rise to what was known in Old English as the

“sackbut” (alternate spellings - sackbutt, shagbut, sagbut,
shagbosh, etc.). This instrument of the Renaissance and
Baroque periods differs slightly from the modern trombone
in that the bore was generally narrower and bell less flared.
Several period ensembles have recorded pieces on these
instruments and several modern instrument makers are
producing replicas of the these historic instruments.

Over time, trombone music became associated with the

church. Gabrieli wrote canzonas and other works for the Four Sackbuts - Photo courtesy of
instrument. The greatest composers of the Renaissance Multimann - Wikimedia Commons
Period wrote for trombone, yet during the mid to late
Baroque period, its usage was more sparing. Bach and Handel wrote few pieces for the instrument and
its usage in art music had become limited by the end of the Baroque period.

The classical period saw some usage of the instrument, the most famous example of which is “Tuba
Mirum” from the Mozart Requiem. There is some debate as to the earliest introduction of the
instrument in the symphony, but the most recognized commonly cited example is the final movement
of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1808). He also wrote for the trombone in two of his later
symphonies, 6 and 9.

The Romantic Period saw trombone music come into its own as a member of the symphony orchestra.
The great composers of the day wrote for trombone sections in their symphonies, operas, and solo
works. Also, it was during this time the the instrument itself evolved into something closer to modern
trombones. The bore was widened, and the bell flared, giving it the characteristic sound and style of
the modern trombone.

Today, the trombone plays an important role in orchestral, wind ensemble, jazz, and even some popular
music. Trombone music has evolved from its early roots to become a rich tradition of excellent and
diverse works.