Alto Trombone

As Printed on a Score

Labels the alto trombone in English-language scores, abbreviated A. Tbn., often the first trombone of Classical and early Romantic works. It is written in alto clef at sounding pitch. Many editions of Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms simply print the first trombone part in alto clef, and players choose alto or tenor trombone to read it.

Abbreviations: A. Tbn.

How Composers Use It

Usually pitched in E-flat, a fourth above the tenor, with a lighter, brighter sound that suits Classical-size orchestras and choral works such as Mozart’s Requiem. In new music specify it only when you want that transparent, high trombone color, and note in the instrumentation that a tenor player will double. Its practical range runs from about A2 to E-flat5.

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