(Cruel but Fair.)
Capable of playing up to four octaves, in only the most expert of hands, it can access up to 50 different semitones via the manipulation of a slide, through seven positions.
The selected pitch is achieved by tightening and relaxing the facial muscles in the embouchure.
It's overall length is nine feet.
Players require near perfect pitch to achieve accurate tonality, in the same way that violinists, cellists, and double bass players do.
The trombone obviously has no valves, keys, buttons or frets, to assist in slotting the tone.
A well controlled vibrato can cover a multitude of sins however.
The earliest brass slide instrument appeared in the 1420s, but the obvious forerunner to the trombone was the sackbut, and not the slush pump, as promoted by numerous comedians.
The name sackbut derives from the French word sacquer - 'to pull and push.'
Here endeth the first lesson.
Now a piece of comic and musical genius.
One guy manipulating simultaneously, two trombones and two trumpets.
Just incredible.