What is a Tenor Trombone: Range, Parts, Best Models 2023

The tenor trombone is an iconic brass instrument renowned for its larger and louder sound compared to other trombones. A staple in jazz since the mid 19th century, notable players like JJ Johnson and Tommy Dorsey inspired many musicians to pick it up and start using it themselves. No matter if it is your first or fifth purchase of one in 2023 — here’s everything you should know before buying any tenor trombone! This guide covers the range, parts, models available and top models of 2023 available models so as to help make informed choices when purchasing one!

What Is a Tenor Trombone?

A tenor trombone belongs to the brass family of instruments. Featuring a cylindrical bore, its sound can be produced when its player adjusts a slide that changes tubing length allowing air flow, or three valves – for valve trombones. Tenor trombones typically play within their designated range (E2-F5) with bright yet powerful sounds typically heard in orchestral music concerts, jazz bands, or marching bands.

A tenor trombone has long been part of musical traditions; its history dates back to ancient military bands, large ensembles and brass choirs playing it.

Michael Praetorius first referred to the tenor trombone in 1619 in an article of Syntagma Musicum published by him and described one made out of brass as being: “a very long and large instrument measuring three or four feet”.

The trombone developed out of an ancient medieval instrument known as a sackbut. While similar in appearance to modern trombones, sackbuts had narrower bores and less wide bells; during its revival during the 17th century, this instrument eventually received a new name — trombone.

By the 18th century, composers like Georg Philipp Telemann and Ludwig Van Beethoven began using tenor trombone music in their compositions as they sought to add depth and texture to their songs. Thus boosting its popularity among composers.

Tenor and Valve Trombones Parts

Tenor trombones are popular instruments found in brass bands and orchestras alike, often taking center stage at concerts with long tube bodies equipped with valves and tubing that produce sound when air is passed into it. Other parts include its bell, slide and mouthpiece – left hands typically operate the valve section while right hands control its slide section when playing this instrument.

A bell section is the large flared end of a trombone which helps make its sound louder, producing warm tones while its shape concentrates them towards one direction rather than spreading them across. Furthermore, size and design both play roles in shaping its unique sound signature.

A slide is like the long tube on a trombone – composed of two sections linked together by a telescoping joint and used to change pitch or length when playing music. Adjustment for inner and outer parts makes fine-tuning possible for maximum precision when tuning a slide instrument.

A mouthpiece acts like the small end of a trombone where air enters to make sound, consisting of a metal cup, rim and shank fitting together tightly so no air escapes out of them. Size and shape also play into how much air can be drawn in to produce loud or soft sounds.

The trombone valve section serves as the control center, controlling how air flows through it. Composed of three keys connected by slides, pressing one down opens or closes a passage in its airway – so by pressing down individually – you can modify both pitch and tone of each note played on it.

Check out this comprehensive Tenor Trombone Parts Guide for all the important details regarding each component of a trombone.

Range of the Tenor Trombones

A trombone’s range refers to its notes-playable capacity. Trombones typically range in their playing range from the low E note below the bass clef up to high B flat above middle C, though experienced players might extend that up to F above B flat (a feat sometimes achievable with specific models that also boast trigger mechanisms that expand its lower range all the way down to C). Sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it?

Extra tubing alters the range of the trombone, making its range lower than with standard tenor trombone. For instance, an F attachment (rotary valve) extends its range all the way down to C2 — one letter below where E previously resided on bass clef staff or two octaves on an 88-key piano keyboard.

Bass trombones with two triggers have the capacity to produce low notes as low as F1, equivalent to C2 on a tenor trombone with an F-trigger; otherwise known as being in the first octave on the piano keyboard.

Alto trombones may not be widely found in modern music, but their slightly higher range than tenor trombones makes them worthwhile instruments to explore. Alto trombone goes as high as G5 for experienced players compared to G4 on tenor trombones – yet only differ because of a higher pitch; so experienced alto players could theoretically reach even higher notes with this instrument!

Soprano trombone parts, similar to trumpet parts, can either be written in concert pitch or transposed to B, with E3 to C6 as their range of function. Soprano trombones (sometimes referred to as slide trumpets) are tuned in Bb and generally cover similar ranges as Bb trumpets — though not often utilized.

Tenor Trombone Slide Chart

A trombone’s sound pitch can be adjusted using its slide, which adjusts tubing length by sliding between the 1st (closest to the player) and the 7th position numbered 1–7 on its scale of movement, each one representing one note from harmonic series.

The slide positions on each chart are determined by harmonic series; since there are no visible markers on tubing, players relying on touch rather than sight can achieve accuracy with position adjustments. Please see our Trombone Slide Chart Diagram for standard fingering patterns and finger positions.

At the bottom of this chart are trombone notes displayed relative to their position on the slide. Keep in mind that the 3rd position falls a few mm before rather than directly under the bell. Note how each position’s gap grows larger due to acoustics laws which dictate that neighboring tone frequencies do not follow simple multiples of each other.

Looking to master trumpet theory? Check out our Trombone Slide Charts Guide — packed with both printable and downloadable resources that can help.

What Are The Best Tenor Trombones?

When it comes to jazz tenor horn playing, some models really shine: The Yamaha King 2B stands out with its dual bore design for precise control and warm tones; for smooth, responsive playability — there’s the Yamaha YSL-640 F Attach and medium bore model; with bass trombones — Yamaha YBL-830 model stands out with its large bore and superior tone quality; should these models make your list?

M Davis and other legendary jazz trombonists favor straight horns because of their crisp and focused sounds that cut through intricate arrangements in big bands. If you want to unlock your full potential – whether a novice or veteran player — keep reading and look into some great tenor trombones that could really elevate your game!

Yamaha YSL-891Z Custom Jazz Trombone

Overview

The Yamaha YSL-891Z custom tenor trombone stands as one of the iconic instruments in trombone history, boasting its luxurious golden lacquer finish and convenient balancer system to provide a smooth playing experience – not forgetting all its attractive features that turn heads wherever it goes!

A trombone bell is handcrafted using individual sheets of metal layered together for maximum authenticity and power, creating long lengthwise vibrations to produce its signature authentic tone. Crafted out of yellow brass hammered for fast response time and extra presence.

Andy Martin and Wycliffe Gordon, two extraordinary jazz trombonists, joined forces to design the Yamaha YSL-891Z trombone. It fulfills all the criteria for jazz trombonists – deep yet powerful tones with lightning fast response times. Two leadpipes – one for deep tones with the powerful flow; the other with bright tones for lightning-fast response time – make up this beast of an instrument!

Features

Key: Bb (B flat)
Two leadpipes for various jazz performances
One-piece chrome-plated nickel-silver inner slide
One-piece hammered yellow brass bell
Bell size: 8″
Bore diameter: .508″
Japanese trombone brand

Pricing

Yamaha YSL-891Z Custom Jazz Trombone

$2,578.99

Buy Now

Bottom Line

Yamaha YSL-891Z Tenor Trombone is more than an instrument; it’s an investment into your musical journey! New owners love its vibrant tones that recreate vintage jazz sounds while remaining extremely user-friendly for professional trombonists.