trombone

The trombone uses a telescoping slide to change pitch, rather than the valves used by trumpet and tuba. This gives the trombone the ability to play a true glissando — a smooth, continuous slide between notes — and to achieve precise intonation by adjusting the slide position minutely. The trombone has been part of serious music longer than most brass instruments, appearing in Renaissance church music where its solemn, choir-like tone accompanied voices. Mozart and Beethoven used trombones for moments of special gravity. In jazz, the trombone was central to early New Orleans bands and remains important through players like J.J. Johnson and modern artists.