Alto trombone

The alto trombone is a special kind of brass instrument. It belongs to the trombone family and is smaller than the tenor trombone.

Most alto trombones are tuned to a note called E♭. This note sounds a little higher than the tenor trombone. Sometimes, alto trombones are tuned to F, but this is less common.

Many years ago, from the 16th to the 18th centuries, the alto trombone was important in church music. It helped make the alto voice — a higher singing voice — sound stronger. This was especially true during special church services called the Mass. Because of this, music for the alto trombone was often written using a special kind of musical notation called alto clef.

History

For broader coverage of this topic, see Trombone § History.

The alto trombone is a smaller type of trombone. It was used a lot in the past. It first appeared in the 1500s, but we do not know exactly when the alto size started. The first written records of an alto trombone date from 1590. By the 1600s, alto trombones were used in church music.

In the 1700s, the alto trombone was popular in Vienna, Austria. A talented player named Thomas Gschladt helped make it famous. Some special music was written for him. But by the 1800s, the alto trombone was mostly replaced by other types of trombones. Today, the alto trombone is becoming popular again, and modern composers are writing new music for it.

Construction

For broader coverage of this topic, see Trombone § Construction.

The alto trombone is a medium size between a trumpet and a tenor trombone. It usually has a bore of about 0.450 to 0.500 inches (11.4 to 12.7 mm) and a bell about 6+1⁄2 or 7 inches (17 or 18 cm) long.

Some modern alto trombones have a special valve that can lower the pitch. This valve can drop the pitch by a small step to D, or by a larger step into B♭. This helps players reach notes that are harder to play with the slide alone. This B♭ valve lets the instrument play notes from A₂ down to F₂.

Many companies make alto trombones, including Yamaha, Bach, Conn, SE Shires, Thein, Rath, and others.

Alto valve trombones in E♭ exist but are very rare and are usually only found in museums.

Characteristics and range

The E♭ alto trombone can play notes from A₂ to E♭₅. It usually plays above E♭₃ in classical music. With skill, it can reach up to G₅. Special low notes can be played from E♭₂ to A₁, but these are not often used.

Because the alto trombone is smaller, its slide parts are closer together than on larger trombones. A B♭ valve attachment can help lower the sound, making middle notes easier to play. The alto trombone sounds brighter and clearer than larger trombones. Its high notes can be very expressive and beautiful.

Repertoire

The alto trombone is used in choral, orchestral, and operatic music. It became popular in the early 1800s in symphonies by composers like Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Mendelssohn. Since the 1700s in Vienna, it has also been a solo instrument.

Today, modern composers use the alto trombone more often in smaller pieces. For example, the composer Britten used it in his 1966 chamber opera The Burning Fiery Furnace. Professional orchestra players now play the alto trombone when needed.