The Timeline of the Trombone
The trombone was first created in the 1400's, originally called the sackbut. No one has been able to find out who invented the sackbut in the early 1400's, research is still going on.
1450- The slide trumpet was created into a new instrument called the sackbut. The sackbut was invented to hit the notes that a trumpet could not hit. The slide was created to make it easier to find the right pitch. The inventor was unknown.
1540- Three different types of trombones were created and used in this time period. The three invented were the normal trios used, which were the Tenor Sackbut in Bb, the Alto Sackbut in Eb, and the Bass Sackbut in F. These sackbuts were created to have a bigger bell shape than the original sackbut to produce a better sound and tone.
1600- The same pattern of sackbuts were used for years to come. In this time period sackbuts were used in many different types of ensembles. From big band groups to small mixed concert bands, blending together with the softest sounding instruments.
1685- A smaller trombone made its very first appearance in central Europe. This trombone pitched an octave higher than the other three trombones. This trombone was not given a name, it also did not last very long in that time period since it was such a hard instrument to play and hit the right pitch.
1750-1780- Several composers started writing concert music for the Alto Trombone. Trombones started to get used in operas lending dramatic effects to specific scenes like, Mozart's Don Giovanni and Magic Flute.
1800-1850- Composers started using three trombones in the orchestras, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, and F Bass was the normal trio. This trombone trio was included in Beethoven's 5th and 9th symphonies.
1870-1920- This time period introduced a new contrabass trombone in BBb with a double tubed slide. At this time musicians across America started playing the trombone.
1939-1950- The trombone gained worldwide popularity through Jazz Bandleaders, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Bands in the United States of America, France, and England started using trombones in their orchestras and operas.
1965- Hans Kunitz invented a new trombone, the in-line independent double valve large bass-contrabass trombone which was tuned in F/C-D-Bb.
Present- The large-bore tenor trombones and bass trombones are popularly used in orchestras and bands. Medium and medium-large bores are commonly used by students and Jazz bands. Also, used in Jazz bands only are the valve trombones because they are a very important solo instrument. Today, you rarely see small-bore trombones because of the level of difficulty it is to play it and hit the correct pitch.
1450- The slide trumpet was created into a new instrument called the sackbut. The sackbut was invented to hit the notes that a trumpet could not hit. The slide was created to make it easier to find the right pitch. The inventor was unknown.
1540- Three different types of trombones were created and used in this time period. The three invented were the normal trios used, which were the Tenor Sackbut in Bb, the Alto Sackbut in Eb, and the Bass Sackbut in F. These sackbuts were created to have a bigger bell shape than the original sackbut to produce a better sound and tone.
1600- The same pattern of sackbuts were used for years to come. In this time period sackbuts were used in many different types of ensembles. From big band groups to small mixed concert bands, blending together with the softest sounding instruments.
1685- A smaller trombone made its very first appearance in central Europe. This trombone pitched an octave higher than the other three trombones. This trombone was not given a name, it also did not last very long in that time period since it was such a hard instrument to play and hit the right pitch.
1750-1780- Several composers started writing concert music for the Alto Trombone. Trombones started to get used in operas lending dramatic effects to specific scenes like, Mozart's Don Giovanni and Magic Flute.
1800-1850- Composers started using three trombones in the orchestras, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, and F Bass was the normal trio. This trombone trio was included in Beethoven's 5th and 9th symphonies.
1870-1920- This time period introduced a new contrabass trombone in BBb with a double tubed slide. At this time musicians across America started playing the trombone.
1939-1950- The trombone gained worldwide popularity through Jazz Bandleaders, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Bands in the United States of America, France, and England started using trombones in their orchestras and operas.
1965- Hans Kunitz invented a new trombone, the in-line independent double valve large bass-contrabass trombone which was tuned in F/C-D-Bb.
Present- The large-bore tenor trombones and bass trombones are popularly used in orchestras and bands. Medium and medium-large bores are commonly used by students and Jazz bands. Also, used in Jazz bands only are the valve trombones because they are a very important solo instrument. Today, you rarely see small-bore trombones because of the level of difficulty it is to play it and hit the correct pitch.