The Trombone Classroom Resource
The
gartered
Trombone
What does trombone look like?
The trombone is easily identifiable in the orchestra as it is the only instrument that
uses a slide to change notes. When a trombonist is playing you will notice that
sometimes they have to extend their arm as far out in front of them as they can to
push the slide all the way out. The trombone has a mouthpiece which fits in one end
of the instrument into which the Trombonist blows and it flares out into a bell at the
other end.
Modern trombones
Modern trombones can be made in a variety of different ways, and there is great
variability between the makes. Trombonists use particular makes of instrument for
particular styles of music. The biggest difference is between the German style of
trombone and the American style. American instruments are considered to be more
powerful and bold, but German instruments have a more mellow sound. The NZSO
uses German trombones for music by composers such as Beethoven and Brahms.
Modern instrument makers also make trombones especially for young players with
short arms!
Historic
Factoid
The sackbut was a brass
instrument with a slide that
was popular in the 14th
century. The trombone
developed from the sackbut,
but trombones themselves
were called sackbuts in
England until 200 years ago.
The trombone in the orchestra
In a modern orchestra there are usually two tenor trombones and one bass
trombone. These three instruments are often used together by composers to
produce a fantastically rich and powerful sound that can dominate everything
else going on around. When the tuba is added to the sound of the trombones the
effect can be electrifying; by turns noble, sinister or ear-catchingly dramatic. One
thing is for sure; when the trombones enter a piece of music, everyone sits up and
pays attention! One trombone by itself can be sonorous and melodic. Romantic
era composers such as Mahler and Sibelius have used the instrument to portray
moments of serenity and great beauty.
Repertoire that
features the trombone
The trombone has been popular since its earliest
days as a sackbut. One of the most well-known
composers for trombone was Giovanni Gabrieli,
who composed for choirs of trombones in
the 16th century, and Monteverdi used five
trombones in his opera Orfeo in 1607. Trombone
concertos began to appear in the Classical era,
with pieces by Leopold Mozart and Wagenseil
still performed today. The trombone has been
particularly successful in marching bands, dance
bands and jazz, and as a solo instrument for
modern composers such as Hindemith, Berio
and Varese.
NZSO Music for Schools - Rachel Hyde ©2011
nzso.co.nz/education
The Trombone Classroom Resource
The
Trombone
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Task...
Trombone slide
What is?
What is a glissando? The trombone
is one of the few blown instruments
that can produce a glissando. A
glissando is a smooth slide from
one note to another. Sing a note
and then slowly slide your voice
to another note without stopping.
This is a glissando. Because the
trombone uses a slide to change
notes it can create the same effect
as you can with your voice!
Make a trombone slide. Use two tubes of different diameter,
sellotape, pencils and paper to make a trombone slide. Use
your imagination! One tube has to slide up and down the
other. Draw marks onto the inside tube and then practice
sliding the outside tube to the same place time after time.
How easy is it to remember where to stop your slide?
NZSO Music for Schools - Rachel Hyde ©2011
nzso.co.nz/education