Low Brass Instruments
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Nearly all trombones use a telescoping slide mechanism to alter the pitch instead of the valves used by other brass instruments. The word “trombone” derives from Italian tromba (trumpet) and -one (a suffix meaning “large”), so the name means “large trumpet”.
Euphonium
The euphonium is a medium-sized, 3 or 4-valve, often compensating, conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument that derives its name from the Ancient Greek word εὔφωνος euphōnos, meaning “beautiful sound”. Nearly all current models have piston valves, though some models with rotary valves do exist.
Early Low Brass Instruments
Sackbut
A sackbut is an early form of the trombone used during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. It is distinct from later trombones by its smaller, more cylindrically-proportioned bore, and its less-flared bell. Unlike the earlier slide trumpet from which it evolved, the sackbut possesses a U-shaped slide with two parallel sliding tubes, rather than just one.
Serpent
The serpent is a low-pitched early wind instrument in the brass family developed in the Renaissance era. It has a trombone-like mouthpiece, with tone holes and fingering like a woodwind instrument. It is named for its long, conical bore bent into a snakelike shape. It was superseded by the ophicleide, which is a vertical serpent that uses keys instead of tone holes.