Just added the below image and caption to the Trombone History Timeline (16th Century). c. 1553—Cremona, Italy: A panel on the organ loft at Chiesa Sant’Agostino features a depiction of a trombonist (see below image; public domain).
Author: wkimball
Stokowski on Alto Trombone
I just added this quote to the Alto Trombone History Timeline. Special thanks to Joost Geevers, Conservatory of The Hague. 1968—New York: In a rehearsal of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 with the American Symphony, Leopold Stokowski says the following to the principal…
Slide, Kelly, Slide
I just added this image and caption to the Trombone History Timeline (20th century). 1919—New York: George F. Briegel’s “Slide, Kelly, Slide” is recorded. Subsequent published sheet music includes a trombone image (see below image; public domain).
Personal Breathing Experiment
Last week I mentioned that I helped develop a very useful new breathing tool called an Inspiratory Flow Trainer. It measures and trains how fast you can take air in. This is very useful for musicians, of course, because we…
Inspiratory Flow Trainer
As a musician, have you ever struggled to take in a lot of air in a very short time? This is a common issue for brass, woodwinds, and vocalists. Studies have shown that you can improve this ability by practicing…
19th Century Orchestra Caricature
I just added the below caption and image to the Trombone History Timeline (19th century: 1826-1850). 1833—An engraving by Charles James Grant features a very unusual looking trombone. The full caption for the engraving reads, “The Royal ‘Feast of Harmony’…
Serpent Sketch
I just added the below caption and image to Serpent & Ophicleide Images: 1600-1850. c. 1770—English artist Nathaniel Dance-Holland sketches Two Musicians, which features a man in powdered wig playing a serpent (see below image; public domain). Image courtesy of Tassos Dimitriadis.
Trombone in Bologna, Italy
Today I added several entries involving trombone in Bologna, Italy to the Trombone History Timeline. Here they are, below. There are many other examples set in Bologna that have already been added to the Timeline, of course. Enjoy! 1508—Bologna, Italy:…
Spread Them Out, Remove Their Wings, and What Do You Get?
We’re talking about musicians here, not a moth dissection project. The first depiction of a group of musicians looks like a somewhat random concert scene or collection of performers. Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that it belongs to a…
Valencian Proto-Trombone
Today I added the below caption and image to the Trombone History Timeline (15th century). This is very early in trombone history; if accepted as an actual trombone, the sculpture rivals the oldest examples of trombone iconography. As with any…