The sackbut was the Renaissance and Baroque version of the modern trombone. While it looks very similar, it has several key differences: it features a smaller bell flare, thinner walls, and a smaller mouthpiece. These features gave the sackbut a much more mellow, soft, and blending tone compared to the powerful and brilliant sound of the modern trombone. This made it the perfect instrument for accompanying vocal choirs and small wind ensembles. The name comes from the Middle French 'saquer' (to pull) and 'bouter' (to push), describing the action of the slide. Because it could play every note of the scale (chromatic) at a time when trumpets and horns were limited to the harmonic series, it was considered one of the most versatile and prestigious wind instruments of the 16th century.