Sagbutts
The Sagbutt (also spelled Sackbut) is an early trombone invented in the 1400s, probably in Burgundy.
Man playing the sackbut. Engraving by J.C. Weigel (1661 - 1726) Image source |
Possessing thicker walls and a narrower bell, the sagbutt imparts a softer tone compared to a modern trombone. The word derives from the Old French word saqueboute meaning "pull-push": this motion refers to the sliding mechanism which enables the instrument to achieve lower pitches than the trumpet. However, in Italy, composers such as Giovanni Gabrieli, would have known the instrument as trombone, meaning 'large trumpet'.
Watch this introduction to the instrument:
Take a listen to the following compositions written by the English composer and music theorist, Matthew Locke. These 'five-part things for His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts' were probably written for performance at the coronation celebrations of King Charles II in 1661.
Matthew Locke, leading English composer in the period before Henry Purcell. (c.1621-23, Exeter - August 1677, London) Image source |
This blog is intended to be educational and to share knowledge about music. Daily Hit of Music does not claim to own anything contained in this post and declares its sources openly.
The following sources were used for this blog post: Encyclopaedia Britannica, hmsc.co.uk, alamy.
Image sources can be found in the image captions.
Recordings can be found on YouTube by clicking the 'DHM YouTube Playlist' links.
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