A lower member of the brass family, this wind instrument consists of a long cylindrical tube bent upon itself twice, ending in a bell-shaped mouth. The trombone uses a U-shaped slide, rather than valves, to regulate pitch.

The modern version of the Renaissance sackbut, the trombone first appeared in military and religious ensembles. In 1809, Ludwig van Beethoven introduced the trombone into the orchestra.

The most common tenor trombone in B flat is often included in jazz ensembles and is capable of soft and voice-like sounds.