What is contrabass trombone?

The contrabass trombone is the largest and deepest-pitched trombone in the brass family. It is also sometimes known as the octocontra trombone or double contrabass trombone due to its extremely low pitch, which is two octaves below the tenor trombone.

The contrabass trombone is typically pitched in either F or B♭, and it has a very large bore size and a wide bell diameter to accommodate its low range. The instrument is usually played with an extra-long slide, which can reach up to 10 feet in length, in order to accurately produce the low notes.

Contrabass trombones are quite rare and are primarily used in orchestras and brass ensembles for their unique and powerful sound. They are also occasionally used in film scores and other contemporary music genres for their distinctive timbre.

Due to its rarity and the specialized skill required to play it, the contrabass trombone is not commonly found in most musical ensembles, making it a prized and sought-after instrument for trombonists with the ability to play it.