In the brass family, a soprano trombone is a treble instrument. The soprano trombone, like other trombones, has a slide mechanism that allows the player to change the pitches produced during performance. However, because the soprano trombone is smaller and has a higher pitch, it is not as popular as larger trombones with lower ranges.
Soprano trombones are similar to trumpets in terms of size. In most cases, the bell is the same size as the Bb trumpet. Because the instruments share a mouthpiece, trumpet players frequently use the soprano trombone due to the embouchure (mouth shape) and position requirements. The soprano trombone, on the other hand, is not the tiniest member of the trombone family. The sopranino and piccolo trombones are smaller versions of the alto and soprano trombones, pitched in Eb one octave higher and Bb one octave lower, respectively.
The soprano trombone’s range is similar to that of the Bb trumpet. The lowest end of the range is around E3, and the highest end is around C6. The exact range limitations are determined by the performer’s ability to navigate through the harmonic overtone series using his embouchure and slide positions. More advanced players have larger ranges than beginners, which is not uncommon — and even expected.
The soprano trombone, like other trombones, has seven slide positions. To get all of the notes of the chromatic scale, players combine these positions with embouchure manipulation. Because the instrument is roughly half the size of a tenor trombone, the distance the player must travel between positions is also half as large, which may surprise some players who are used to reaching for positions on the tenor.
Because of the similarities between the soprano trombone and the trumpet, the soprano trombone is sometimes referred to as a “slide trumpet.” This isn’t completely correct. The true slide trumpet, which had only three positions rather than the seven positions of the soprano trombone, was a historical instrument popular in England in the nineteenth century.
Soprano trombones are a novelty instrument that can be found in trombone choirs or as a solo instrument. This is primarily due to the fact that they are more difficult to tune than their larger counterparts. However, some jazz musicians have found success with the slide because it allows them to perform true glissandos, moving seamlessly from one pitch to the next in a way that is impossible on the trumpet.