Sackbutt

| Brass Instruments | Sackbutt | Trumpets | Cornett |

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While the early Renaissance trumpet in S form was a military and ceremonial instrument, it was also built in a "minstrel's " pattern with telescopic mouthpipe. By sliding the trumpet bodily outwards along the mouthpipe, the hormonics could be sounded at various pitches, enabling melodies to be played in the middle range of the harmonic series. This was then improved upon to become what was called "trompette saqueboute" or literally "trumpet with push-and-pull end". The English retained the word as "sackbut". The sackbut has a narrower bore, a less markedly flaring bell and a somewhat thinner tone than your modern trombone.

Andrew on the Sackbutt

 

 

 

(Photos courtesy of Jonathan M. Askey at website The London Early Music Shop - see credits)

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References:

Baines, Anthony. European & American Musical Instruments. Viking Press, New York, 1966.

 

Buchner, Dr. Alexander (translated by Iris Urwin). Musical Instruments Through the Ages. Batchworth Press Limited, London, England, 1961.

Haas, Karl. Inside Music: How to understand, listen to, and enjoy good music. Doubleday, New York, 1984. ISBN: 0-385-18536-7

 

Hindley, Geoffrey (ed.). The Larousse Encyclopedia of Music. Excalibur Books, New York, 1982.

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