Editing Trombone (section)

==== Alto trombone ====
{{Main|Alto trombone}}
The [[alto trombone]] is smaller than the tenor trombone and almost always pitched in E{{Music|flat}} a fourth higher than the tenor, although examples pitched in F are occasionally found. Modern instruments are sometimes fitted with a valve to lower the pitch, either by a semitone to D (known as a "trill" valve), or by a fourth into B{{Music|flat}}. The alto trombone was commonly used in the 16th to the 18th centuries in [[church music]] to strengthen the alto voice, particularly in the [[Mass (music)|Mass]]. Early 19th century composers such as [[Beethoven]], [[Brahms]], and [[Schumann]] began writing for alto trombone in their [[symphony|symphonies]], but the subsequent use and popularity of tenor trombones in the orchestra largely eclipsed their use until a modern revival that began in the late 20th century.