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What is
the Trombone?

The trombone is a member of the low brass family. It is the only wind instrument that uses a handheld slide to change between notes. Today it is typically found in most styles of music (orchestral, jazz, film, band, chamber, latin, etc.) It was often referred to as the “closest instrument to the human voice”, and in the mid classical-era the "Voice of God".

Clefs

In the orchestra, tenor trombone parts will often be written in alto, tenor, and bass clef, which represent the alto, tenor and bass voices in a choral ensemble. Bass trombones will play in the bass clef the majority of the time, but it is not uncommon to find some tenor clef or alto clef.

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It is rare to find treble clef in a trombone. Maurice Ravel has a major solo in the opera "L'enfant et les sortilèges"

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Harmonic Series

The trombone is pitched in Bb, which is similar to the Bb trumpets and Bb tubas. However, trombonists read music in the key of C, similar to flutes, oboes, violins, cellos and basses.

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To the left is a bass clef staff. These are the notes that you will hear when the trombonist plays in their first position (slide all the way in). This is known as the Bb harmonic series

To the right you will see a chart with the first 4 notes of each harmonic series. The numbers on the bottom indicate what slide positions the notes will be played on. 1st position is all the way in, 7th position is just before the slide comes off.

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Video Demonstrations

Bass Trombone Harmonic Series

Bass Trombone Slide Positions 1-7

Tenor Trombone Harmonic Series

Tenor Trombone Slide Positions 1-7

Versatility

Here's our Specialty:

  • Symphony Orchestra

    • Two tenor trombones + one bass trombone normally

  • Opera + Ballet

  • Wind Ensemble/Concert Band/Symphonic Band

  • Film/Video Game Music

  • Chamber

    • Quintet is most popular, but also quartet, trio, sextet and large brass ensemble

  • Trombone Ensemble

    • Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet, Octet (anything higher would be considered "trombone choir")​

  • ​Jazz Ensemble

    • Big band, combo​, Dixieland

  • ​Broadway/Theatre 

  • Horn Line​

    • Usually with trumpet(s), saxophone(s) depending on style & group. 

    • Pop, Latin, Entertainment

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