The slide trumpet developed from the natural trumpet around the beginning of the 15th century. Its movable mouthpipe created four acoustical positions, allowing a diatonic scale that was not possible on earlier natural trumpets.
To change pitch by even a half step, the player had to move the entire bell section more than two feet. Performing these large movements quickly, smoothly, and accurately required considerable skill. The instrument was most often played together with shawms.
