tromba marina

English

Etymology

From Italian, meaning "marine trumpet".

• The tromba may originate in a comparison to the valveless trumpet of the Middle Ages, which produced harmonic overtones like the tromba marina, or as a reference to the unique trumpet-like rasping sound created by the intentionally loose bridge of the instrument vibrating against its face. The marina may refer to the Virgin Mary, perhaps because the instrument was played by nuns in convents.

Noun

tromba marina (plural trombas marina)

1. (music) A Middle Ages European string instrument with a long, slender and triangular-shaped body, featuring one main string and sometimes additional sympathetic strings, known for an extremely loud sound making it useful for signalling between ships, and for a distinctive ethereal tone (harmonic overtones) created by the player fingering the string at precise intervals below the point where the string is to be bowed, rather than above as most similar instruments.

Synonyms

• trumpet marine

Derived terms

• tromba marinist

See also

• Appendix:Glossary of chordophones

References

• 2008. Music in the Middle Ages: A Reference Guide. Suzanne Lord Pg. 147.