bout the Sackbutt

The sackbutt is the forerunner of the modern trombone. It differs from its modern incarnation in the shape of its bell, the thickness of its walls, and the size of its bore. The bell of a sackbutt does not flare as much as a trombone. The shape of its bell was characteristic of brass instruments of the period. Contemporary trumpets had bells with a similar shape. The walls of the sackbutt are thicker than those of a trombone. Thus it produces a more muted tone, as more energy is required to set the bell into motion. The bore of the sackbutt is larger than a modern trombone.

Sackbutts developed from trumpets during the fifteenth century. With the addition of the slide they were able to play any pitch, something that the historical trumpet could not do. They were called sackbutts in English. This was derived from a fifteenth century french term sacqueboute which meant push pull. In Italian they were called trombone. The term sackbutt is commonly used to distinguish them from modern trombones.

During the sixteenth century sackbutts were made in three sizes, alto, tenor, and bass. The lowest note on the alto sackbutt was f. The lowest note on the tenor sackbutt was Bb. The lowest note on the alto sackbutt was Eb. It is worth noting that these pitches become e A and D if they are tuned at A=466.

Sackbutts were commonly used in churches to double the voice parts. During the latter half of the sixteenth century a repertory of instrumental music for consorts of sackbutts was created.