INSTRUMENTS
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TEACHER INFO
Last updated:
October 08, 2002
THE BRASS FAMILY
HISTORY
Although there were many ancient instruments that used slides, the trombone is the only remaining instrument that uses one. During the middle ages it was called a tromba, and was basically a long trumpet. Another ancestor was the English instrument called a sackbut. By 1450 the trombone basically looked the same as it does today. Since it used no valves but had a slide, it could play any notes of the scale, something most brass instruments could not do. Composers wrote more for the instrument, but it was not until the 1800's that the trombone became a regular member of the orchestra. In the 1900's a valve attachment was added that made the instrument more easily played. Many trombonists now play instruments with this F-attachment. There are also instruments called bass trombones (they have two attachments), valve trombones (the slide does not move but it has valves like a trumpet), and superbones (the slide does move, AND it has valves like a trumpet).
PROBLEM SOLVING
| Is there no sound except rushing air? Or is it just a gargled sound? | Try firming up your mouth and be sure your buzzing your lips. |
| Is it a thin pinched sound you're getting? | Relax your mouth a bit. Push more air through the instrument. |
| Having a hard time going to higher notes? | You need to support the sound with plenty of air. You can also try moving the mouthpiece up a little bit. |
| Or are your low notes not coming out too great? | Relax your mouth a little. Try moving your mouthpiece down a little bit. |
LINKS
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1452/history.html
http://www.lysator.liu.se/~backstrom/trombone.html
http://hem.passagen.se/posaune/Trbhist.htm
http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Music/Instruments/Winds/Brass/Trombone/
And here is a good Website I found that offers free printable music and exercises:
http://www.brassworld.co.uk/main.php?instrument=Trombone
