tromba marina

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tromba marina (It.). Marine trumpet. Not a tpt., but a type of monochord, developed in 12th cent. Had 3-sided body about 4′ long, tapering towards pegbox. Single str. (2 after 15th cent.) and played with bow. Produced only natural harmonics (hence assoc. with tpt. tone): player's left thumb lightly touched str(s)., his right hand drawing bow across str(s). Reason for ‘marine’ in title remains obscure (possibly corruption of Marian).

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