The sackbut is the direct ancestor of the modern trombone, and is the Renaissance wind instrument most similar to its modern descendant in both sound and appearance.
Most likely developed from the earlier slide trumpet, the sackbut’s movable slide allows precise pitch control. Its wide dynamic range and more than two-octave compass made it useful in both loud outdoor ensembles and softer indoor settings.
The name probably comes from the Old French sacqueboute (“push-pull”). In Italy it was known as the trombone, meaning “large trumpet.”
