Brass instrument | |
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Classification | |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 423.22 (Sliding aerophone sounded by lip vibration) |
Developed | Late 16th century |
Playing range | |
Range of the E♭ alto trombone; see Range for more details. | |
Related instruments | |
The alto trombone (German: Altposaune, Italian, French: trombone alto) is the alto member of the trombone family of brass instruments, smaller than the tenor trombone. It is almost always pitched in E♭ a fourth higher than the tenor, although examples pitched in F are occasionally found. The alto trombone was commonly used from the 16th to the 18th centuries in church music to strengthen the alto voice, particularly in the Mass.[1] Alto trombone parts are usually notated in alto clef.