1902

Arthur Elson, in his orchestration textbook, says, “The use of the slide renders the trombone more perfect in tone than any of the instruments except the violin family. Not only can the slide be used in correcting those harmonics that are out of tune with our scale, but it also enables the performer to produce varied effects by sharping or flatting his tones at will, as the violinist does also in certain progressions. Trills are practicable on all the upper notes of the instrument, though they are not effective on the bass trombone. Rapid passages are unsuited to its character, and are usually difficult, except for those few phrases that lie entirely in one harmonic series and can be blown without change of position. Such quick execution is never demanded in orchestral works, though allowable in solo pieces. A trombone concerto by Ferdinand David, for instance, abounds in florid passages” (Elson, Orchestral 239).