View source for Superbone

{{short description|Hybrid musical instrument in the trombone family with both a slide and valves}}
{{Infobox Instrument
  | name           = Superbone
  | image          = MIMEd 3596. Holton TR-395 Superbone (white).png
  | image_capt     = Superbone
  | background     = brass
  | classification = {{hlist
    | [[Wind instrument|Wind]]
    | [[Brass instrument|Brass]]
    | [[Aerophone]]
  }}
  | hornbostel_sachs = 423.2
  | hornbostel_sachs_desc = Sliding and Valved [[aerophone]] sounded by lip movement
  | developed      = Mid-19th century; late 20th century revival
  | musicians      = {{hlist <!-- alphabetical by surname -->
    | Ashley Alexander
    | [[Don Ellis]]
    | [[Maynard Ferguson]]
    | [[James Morrison (jazz musician)|James Morrison]]
  }}
  | builders       = {{hlist
    | [[Gustave Auguste Besson|Besson]] (c. 1860s)
    | [[C.G. Conn|Conn]] (c. 1880–1910)
    | [[Holton (Leblanc)|Holton]] (1974–2004)
    | Schagerl
    | Wessex
  }}
  | related        = {{hlist
    | [[Firebird (trumpet)|Firebird]]
    | [[Trumpet]]
    | [[Valide]]
    | [[Valve trombone]]
  }}
}}
The '''superbone''' (sometimes known as the '''double trombone''') is a hybrid tenor [[trombone]] in B{{music|flat}} that has both a slide like a regular trombone and a set of [[brass instrument valve|valves]] like a [[valve trombone]].

== History ==
Trombones that combine both a slide with a set of valves were built as early as the 1860s by [[Gustave Auguste Besson|Besson]].{{sfn|Yeo|2021|p=46–7|loc="duplex instrument"}} One of the earliest surviving examples was built by [[Charles G. Conn|Conn]] in 1884, and closely resembles the modern superbone that appeared in the 1970s.<ref name="1884-conn">{{cite web |title=Rare 1884 C.G. Conn Valve-Slide Hybrid Trombone |work=Worthopedia |publisher=WorthPoint Corporation |url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1884-g-conn-valve-slide-hybrid-1792642656 |access-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530031427/https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1884-g-conn-valve-slide-hybrid-1792642656 |archive-date=30 May 2022 }}</ref> Conn manufactured them through the early 20th century, and a similar instrument with a shorter four-position slide, the [[valide]], was invented by jazz musician and machinist [[Brad Gowans]] in 1946.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Really Doubling in Brass |journal=[[Popular Science]] |volume=146 |issue=5 |date=May 1946 |page=81}} ([https://books.google.com/books?id=kiEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22valide+trombone%22g&pg=PA81 Google Books])</ref>{{sfn|Yeo|2021|p=161|loc="valide"}}

The term "'''superbone'''" was first coined in the 1970s as a name for the instrument patented by Larry Ramirez of [[Holton (Leblanc)|Holton Musical Instruments]] in collaboration with jazz trumpeter and bandleader [[Maynard Ferguson]].<ref name="holton-tr395">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gleblanc.com/instruments/query.cfm?model=TR395 |title=Holton TR395 Superbone |publisher=G. Leblanc |archive-date=21 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321182856/http://www.gleblanc.com/instruments/query.cfm?model=TR395 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="holton-patent">{{Cite patent |title=Tenor trombone construction |country=US |number=3937116 |status=patent |fdate=21 October 1974 |gdate=8 June 1976 |inventor1-first=Ramirez |inventor1-last=Lawrence |assign1=[[Leblanc (musical instrument manufacturer)|G. Leblanc Corporation]] |postscript=, class G10D7/10}}</ref> It is very similar to the early Conn hybrid instruments from the 19th century, with a very narrow bore of {{convert|0.484|in}} and three [[piston valve]]s.{{sfn|Guion|2010|p=62}} It has a slide lock, which frees the player to operate the valves or the slide with either hand, and was manufactured by Holton as the model TR-395 "Superbone" between 1974 and 2004.{{sfn|Yeo|2021|p=143|loc="Superbone"}}

The Holton became a staple instrument for Ferguson, and [[Don Ellis]] in his later career. Ferguson used the superbone on the recording "Superbone Meets the Bad Man" from the ''[[Chameleon (Maynard Ferguson album)|Chameleon]]'' album. [[Ashley Alexander]], another proponent of the instrument, recorded "[[Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most]]" on his ''Secret Love'' album, which demonstrates the instrument's flexibility.<ref name="discogs-secretlove">{{Cite web |title=Secret Love |author=The Ashley Alexander Big Band |work=Discogs |publisher=Discovery Records |date=1988 |url= https://www.discogs.com/release/5907571-The-Ashley-Alexander-Big-Band-Secret-Love |access-date=20 October 2022 }}</ref> Alexander referred to the instrument as a "double trombone" and wrote a method for it, published by [[Leblanc (musical instrument manufacturer)|Leblanc]] in 1980.{{sfn|Yeo|2021|p=143|loc="Superbone"}}<ref name="double-trombone">{{cite book |title=The Double Trombone |author1-first=Ashley |author1-last=Alexander |date=1980 |publisher=G. Leblanc Corporation |oclc=17861481 }}</ref>

=== Later developments ===
In the early 2010s [[James Morrison (jazz musician)|James Morrison]] in conjunction with Austrian instrument manufacturer Schagerl created his own version of a superbone, employing a larger {{convert|0.525|in|adj=on}} bore and three [[rotary valve]]s operated by the left hand.<ref name="schagerl-superbone">{{Cite web |title=Trombone Model 'Superbone' |work=schagerl.com |publisher=Schagerl Meisterinstrumente |url= https://schagerl.com/meisterinstrumente/instrument/superbone/?lang=en |access-date=30 May 2022 }}</ref> This arrangement allows the player to use the valves and slide independently or simultaneously.<ref name="yt-schagerl-jms">{{Cite web |title=James Morrison talking about the new Schagerl Trombone Model 'Superbone' |author=Schagerl |work=YouTube |date=2 September 2013 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-6nZZrs9Xk&list=UUSkOLM0SZPGHsT_6dJJZ9OA&index=140 |access-date=30 May 2022 }}</ref>
Wessex Tubas also manufacture a superbone with the same larger {{convert|0.525|in|adj=on}} bore, but with three piston valves similar to the Holton.<ref name="wessex-superbone">{{Cite web |title=Superbone (valve/slide trombone) – PB930 |work=www.wessex-tubas.com |publisher=Wessex Tubas |url= https://www.wessex-tubas.com/products/superbone-valve-slide-trombone-pb930 |access-date=31 May 2022 }}</ref>

== Construction ==
{{broader|Trombone#Construction}}
{{Multiple image
 | total_width = 350px
 | align = right
 | image1 = Holton TR-395 Superbone swisstbone 01.jpg
 | image2 = Holton TR-395 Superbone swisstbone 03.jpg
 | image3 = Holton TR-395 Superbone swisstbone 04.jpg
 | alt1 = Superbone slide
 | alt2 = Superbone bell section
 | alt3 = Superbone valves
 | footer = The Holton superbone was built in three parts: slide (''left'') and bell section (''center''), which attach to either end of the valve section (''right'').
 | footer_align = center
}}
Superbones, unlike the valide, have a fully functioning trombone slide with the usual seven positions. The Holton and Wessex instruments are assembled from three detachable sections; the slide and bell sections attach to each end of the valve assembly, built with three piston valves arranged in the same manner as on other three-valved brass instruments. The player grips the valve section with the left hand, which supports the weight of the instrument while the right arm is free to operate the slide.{{sfn|Yeo|2021|p=143|loc="Superbone"}} The James Morrison Schagerl model has the two sections of a normal [[tenor trombone]] (slide and bell), with three rotary valves and their tubing incorporated in the bell section in a similar manner to [[F attachment]]s.<ref name="yt-schagerl-jms"/>

Early superbones, and the Holton instrument designed for Ferguson (who was primarily a trumpet player), have very narrow almost trumpet-like bore diameters of less than {{convert|0.500|in}}. Later models from Schagerl and Wessex use a larger bore of {{convert|0.525|in}} found more commonly on modern tenor trombones.

== Technique ==
The Superbone can be played as a slide trombone, a valve trombone, or in combination. Using the slide and valves in combination requires the slide positions to be adjusted, just as when using the [[trigger (brass instrument)|trigger]] of an F attachment on a tenor or [[bass trombone]]. Using the slide with the first and third valves engaged has the same effect as using an F attachment. Conversely, the valves can be used to provide [[trill (music)|trills]] and [[ornament (music)|ornaments]] for passages played with the slide.<ref name="yt-schagerl-jms"/>

== See also ==
* [[Firebird (trumpet)|Firebird]], a trumpet with both valves and slide.
* [[Valide trombone]], a similar instrument with a shorter slide of four positions.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
{{ubli
| {{Cite Q |Q111039945 |last=Guion |first=David M. |date=2010 }}
| {{cite Q |Q111040546 |author1-last=Yeo |author1-first=Douglas |date=2021 }}
}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* {{commons-inline}}
* {{Cite AV media |first=Maynard |last=Ferguson |title=Chameleon: 8. Superbone Meets The Bad Man |medium=Audio recording |date=1974 |publisher=CBS Records |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx_35LaYioU |via=YouTube |access-date=12 September 2023 }}

{{Brass instruments}}

[[Category:Trombones]]
[[Category:Continuous pitch instruments]]
[[Category:B-flat instruments]]