The Truth About Trombones

1. In 1930, John Philip Souza founded the International Trombone Association.
2. Sigmund Freud once said “I’m not sure why, but trombones make me very uncomfortable”.
3. Branford Marsalis is known for playing the trombone, whereas his brother Wynton plays the sax.
4. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 features four trombones.
5. The precursor instrument to what eventually became known as the trombone was the sackbut.
6. Trombones are often used, with the help of a plunger, to mimic the sound of a human voice.
7. The first public playing of a trombone was at the wedding of the Duke of Sussex in 1468.
8. The Trombone Shorty Foundation helps young musicians scross New Orleans gain access to quality trombones and other instruments.
9. The process used to strengthen a trombone by freezing it repeatedly is called annealing.
10. Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien plays the valve trombone.
11. The word trombone also means paperclip in Italian.
12. Trombone Shorty began playing his instrument at the age of four.

(Scroll down for the answer key)

1. FALSE. It was Thomas Everett, in 1972.
2. TRUE
3. FALSE. They both play the sax.
4. FALSE. It features two trombones.
5. TRUE
6. TRUE
7. FALSE. It was the wedding of the Duke of Burgundy.
8. TRUE
9. FALSE. Annealing uses heat to strengthen.
10. TRUE
11. FALSE. Trombone is French.
12. TRUE