The trombone is part of the lower end of the brass family and is different to all the other instruments in that there are no keys or tone holes used to produce the notes.

The trombone uses a slide instead and requires a good ear for music. It is a fairly large instrument and requires the student to have long enough arms to extend the slide to its full length when needed, although most average-sized students can manage this.

The trombone supports the melodic instruments in the band by usually playing the bass part and has a strong full sound that helps to balance the band.