What Is a C Trombone?

When the slide is in the “closed” position, a C trombone produces a C note. These trombones have a trigger attachment that activates additional tubing, transforming the instrument into a standard B flat trombone. Trombones are brass instruments with valves that change the note produced. They are usually pitched in B flat. The “preacher model” is a slang term for a C trombone because it allows players to read from a standard music score and thus play along with the preacher in churches. With a small amount of extra tubing in the bell section, the instrument resembles most trombones.

The C trombone has a similar appearance to that of a regular trombone. This is due to the presence of a large bell near the instrument’s top that flares outwards to project sound. Like most trombones, it has a slide that can be extended to change the note produced the instrument. The slide is made up of two tubing sections connected a curved section at the end opposite the mouthpiece. The C trombone has a small amount of extra tubing in the bell section that sets it apart from most trombones.

To convert the C trombone into a standard B flat trombone, a trigger is used to activate the extra tubing. This works in the same way that the F-attachment on many ordinary trombones does: the pitch is lowered diverting the note through extra tubing. When the slide is closed and this attachment is not activated, the instrument plays a C note. To change this closed note to a B flat, the player presses the trigger with his or her thumb.

Because it is easier to play along with ordinary written music, the C trombone is known as the “preacher model.” Pianos and most other instruments can play any piece of music in any key without transposing it. This is because a C will sound like a concert C when they play it. Because most trombones produce a B flat when playing a C, music for trombonists must be transposed. Because C trombones produce a C in the first position, they can play any sheet music.

The C trombone is a member of the brass family of instruments, as are all trombones. Brass instruments are made entirely of brass, and producing a note requires the player to exhale and buzz his or her lips into the mouthpiece. Because most brass instruments are tuned in the key of B flat, ordinary sheet music must be transposed in order to be played on them. To change the note on most brass instruments, different combinations of valves are pressed down. In this regard, trombones are unique in that they have a slide.