Definition
A brass musical instrument with a long, cylindrical bore and a telescoping slide mechanism used to change pitch, producing a distinctive warm and mellow sound. Trombones are essential in orchestras, jazz bands, and brass ensembles, with ranges typically spanning from low bass to high tenor registers.
Example Usage
The trombone solo in that jazz piece absolutely captivated the audience.
Origin
From Italian 'trombone,' a diminutive of 'tromba' (trumpet), reflecting its origins in 15th-century Italy as an evolved form of the trumpet with a slide mechanism.
Fun Fact
The trombone is one of the few orchestral instruments that uses a mechanical slide rather than valves, making it uniquely capable of playing any pitch within its range.
Related Terms
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