The History of the Trombone

While it’s a star player in jazz and blues today, the trombone has a surprisingly long and fascinating history that stretches back more than 500 years. Its evolution is filled with innovative design changes, shifts in musical taste, and the influence of legendary composers and performers.

The Trombone Predecessors

The Slide Trumpet

The modern trombone is widely believed to originate from the 15th-century slide trumpet, which is also an early version of the modern trumpet. The slide trumpet allowed musicians to extend the tubing and access a wider range of pitches by using both their embouchure and a moving slide. You can read more about trumpet evolution in our blog: The History of the Trumpet.

It is thought that slides were first added to a type of trumpet known as the buisine, which resembled a herald’s trumpet. These instruments were often played in wind ensembles alongside shawms, a double-reed instrument from the medieval and Renaissance periods. This connection is important because the German word for trombone, posaune, is derived from “buisine.”

The Buisine

The addition of a slide to the buisine likely occurred around 1380 in German-speaking regions. Soon after, the instrument’s long, cylindrical tube was "folded" for easier handling. This folded version, equipped with a single slide, is what we now commonly refer to as the slide trumpet.

Playing the slide trumpet required musicians to pinch the mouthpiece and move the entire instrument away from the body to adjust pitch, an awkward process requiring very large movements. The invention of the double slide around 1450 revolutionized the instrument by allowing the bulk of it to remain stationary while the outer slide moved, greatly improving control.

The Early Trombones & The Sackbut

By the late 15th century, the slide trombone gained popularity in Italy and Germany, eventually spreading to other regions such as England. By the 16th century, ensembles featuring shawms and trombones were performed in churches, and the earliest printed music for the trombone appeared in Giovanni Gabrieli’s Sonata Pian’e Forte (1597). The instrument also acquired different names based on the slide's push (sac) and pull (bu) motion, leading to the French term "sacqueboute" and the English term "sackbut."

Influence & Innovations

The Dark Ages & New Beginnings

Towards the end of the 17th century, the trombone's popularity declined in many parts of Europe as musical tastes shifted in favor of string instruments. It remained primarily in use within Lutheran churches, theater music, and a few Italian cities. Despite this lull, the trombone experienced a resurgence among 18th-century Viennese composers. Notably, Mozart incorporated the trombone in several of his sacred works, including his famous Requiem, which features a well-known trombone solo.

The Symphony Orchestra

The trombone reached a significant milestone in the early 1800s when it became part of the symphony orchestra. Beethoven was the first major composer to use a full trombone section, featuring it in his 5th, 6th, and 9th Symphonies. This marked the beginning of a tradition of orchestral trombone writing that continued with composers like Schubert, Schumann, and later Brahms.

Trombone in Jazz & Modern Design

The trombone entered the jazz scene in the early 20th century. Its earliest jazz style, known as “tailgate” trombone, placed the performer in a middle-harmonic role, adding expressive glissandos, a trademark sound of early Dixieland bands.

Over time, virtuosos reshaped how audiences viewed the instrument:

• Tommy Dorsey brought a smooth, lyrical legato style

• Glenn Miller helped define the swing era sound

• J.J. Johnson introduced bebop techniques to the trombone

• Carl Fontana pioneered the rapid-fire “doodle tongue” technique

Throughout the 20th century, the trombone’s design became standardized. Today, trombones are typically found in two main varieties: a large-bore model with a valve attachment and a straight, small-bore instrument.

Experience the Modern Trombone at Maxan Jazz

Maxan Jazz features incredible LIVE Jazz and Blues music five days a week! Enjoy live entertainment from talented artists, including trombonists, while dining on upscale sushi at Maxan Jazz. Call to book a reservation today!