Ever tried playing the trombone on horseback? A pretty contorted affair, one would think. There are, however, several visual depictions throughout trombone history of trombonists on horseback. I recently added one such image of a military musician to the 19th…
Trombone Images
Trombone and the Art of Illusion
Quadratura is a type of illusionistic painting that interacts with a building’s architecture, often extending or altering the actual appearance of the architecture. Popular with Baroque artists, it is similar to other illusionistic techniques such as trompe-l’œil, although it tends…
Trombones in Rome’s San Giovanni in Laterano
Added the following to the 16th century timeline. For reasons of space, only the detail is included in the timeline. Special thanks to Dennis F. Cramer for the photographs. 1598—Rome, Italy: An organ is built for San Giovanni in Laterano…
Kilts in the Military: Not Just for Bagpipers
Added the below image/entry to the 19th century timeline (2nd half). The image is related to a fairly large set of military images from the 19th and 20th centuries, many of which contain trombones. c. 1885—Scotland: Military musicians from the…
How Early Should You Start Playing Trombone? A Young 17th-Century Trombonist
Just added another trombone image to the 17th century timeline (first half). He doesn’t look much older than my one-year-old son! c. 1629—Venice, Italy: Veronese artist Fra Semplice da Verona includes a depiction of a cherub playing trombone in Infant…
Clip of 17th Century “Trombone Motet”
Added another clip to the 17th century timeline (first half), this one belonging to a genre that historian Jerome Roche calls the “trombone motet.” It’s a beautiful sonority. The clip and attached caption are below. Notice, incidentally, that the image…
Trombone History Image Update
Updated the entry below from the 17th century timeline (first half) with a color image and exact date. Also of interest is the fact that the painting is an altarpiece, one of many featuring trombone images. 1616—Bologna, Italy: Ludovico Carracci’s Paradise,…
Trombone History: Another E-flat Alto Trombone Source
Added the following to the Trombone History Timeline (19th century), Alto Trombone History Timeline, and Alto in Treatises pages. Notice that, as with the vast majority of written sources, the alto trombone is not only in the key of E-flat,…
Trombone History: More Moravians
Added a pair of images to the 19th century (2nd half) featuring the Moravian trombone choir of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For more updates on the Moravian trombones, see here. 1888—Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: An engraving published in Harper’s Weekly features the Bethlehem Moravian trombone…
Crossing Your Legs While You Play: A 17th Century Trombone Drawing
Heard you should never cross your legs while you play? Well, this 17th century angel-trombonist, recently added to the Trombone History Timeline, must not have been there for the band director’s lecture. c. 1642—Florence, Italy: Il Volterrano (also known variously…