The Valve Trombone differs from the slide trombone in that you change its pitch by using three valves, as on the orchestral trumpet. These valves give you greater flexibility, but the sound is less brilliant. Until the mid-20th century, valve trombones were common in bands and theater orchestras ; now they are most often heard in jazz.
Family |
Brasses |
Pitch range |
Around two-and-a-half octaves. |
Material |
Brass. |
Size |
About 3 ft 4 in (1 m) long ; total length of unwound tube is 9 ft (2.70 m). |
Origins |
This trombone emerged during the 1820s in Vienna, when makers throughout Europe were experimenting with the revolution ary new idea of valves. |
Classification |
Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
And also... |
The slide trombone was difficult to play on horseback, so valve trombones were introduced to cavalry bands. |