Trombone History
The trombone, originally named the "sackbut", was invented in the mid 1400's. The inventor of this instrument still remains a mystery. Below, you can find the timeline which shows the changes that occur to the trombone in its lifespan.
ca. 1450 : The trombone originally developed from the slide trombone. The inventor made the 'slide' to make it more easy to play. The first trombone was named the "sackbut".
ca. 1540 : First version of the alto trombone in Eb ever created. This trombone has a more gradual and bigger shaped bell to have better sound and tone.
ca. 1600 : The same design and pattern continued through the years with the trombone. In this time period, trombone players formed groups so they could combine with the softest-sounding instruments.
ca. 1685 : The smaller trombone was introduced. This trombone pitched an octave higher than the original trombone. The smaller trombone was never given a name. This instrument didn't survive these early times because of the high level of difficulty to play.
ca. 1780 : The trombone started to appear in operas to create dramatic effects in certain scenes. Examples of this would be in Mozart's 'Don Giovanni and 'Magic Flute'.
ca. 1800-1850 : During this time period, orchestras started to use three different trombones in their pieces, the Eb alto, Bb tenor and the F bass.
ca. 1870-1900 : A contrabass trombone in Bb with a double tubed slide was invented. People worldwide now have began to play this instrument.
ca. 1939 : Now that the trombone has spread worldwide, bands in countries such as USA, France and England have started using trombones in all three forms in operas and orchestras.
ca. 1965 : The in-line independent double-valve large contrabass trombone that was tuned F/C-D-Bb was invented by Hans Kunitz.
ca. Present :Large tenor trombones and many other trombones are used worldwide in bands, operas, and orchestras. Small trombones are rarely seen in pieces today, as they are very difficult to play. The valve trombone is only found in jazz these days because it is a very important solo instrument.
ca. 1800-1850 : During this time period, orchestras started to use three different trombones in their pieces, the Eb alto, Bb tenor and the F bass.
ca. 1870-1900 : A contrabass trombone in Bb with a double tubed slide was invented. People worldwide now have began to play this instrument.
ca. 1939 : Now that the trombone has spread worldwide, bands in countries such as USA, France and England have started using trombones in all three forms in operas and orchestras.
ca. 1965 : The in-line independent double-valve large contrabass trombone that was tuned F/C-D-Bb was invented by Hans Kunitz.
ca. Present :Large tenor trombones and many other trombones are used worldwide in bands, operas, and orchestras. Small trombones are rarely seen in pieces today, as they are very difficult to play. The valve trombone is only found in jazz these days because it is a very important solo instrument.
- This is a modern alto trombone, used in many different pieces of music. This instrument is part of the low brass section. To learn more about the family in which this instrument comes from, check out the 'Trombone Family' page on this website.