Brass Instruments

Brass Instruments Brass instruments make up the brass family of orchestral instruments. Brass instruments are sometimes made of brass, but also other metal. These instruments all have three major sections: a mouthpiece, a length of tubing, and a bell. You usually think of them as a “fanfare” instrument.

Brass Instruments In their present form, brass instruments have been around for about 1000 years, although there is evidence that similar instruments have been around since the beginning of time. These early “brass-style” instruments included conch shells, animal horns and hollow sticks.

A shofar An ancient trumpet made from rams horn A conch shell A sea shell used as a trumpet An Alphorn A horn that is made of wood and is in many section – still used today!

Brass Instruments Since their were no microphones in churches 1000 years ago, brass instruments were used instead of singers so that everyone could hear. Those songs sounded like this.

Brass Instruments There are four major members of the brass family: the Trumpet, the French Horn, the Trombone, and the Tuba. Each of these instruments has its own distinct look and sound.

The Trumpet Smallest and highest of the brasses, it usually plays the melody or soprano part. The trumpet is sometimes made of brass, but usually it’s made of silver. It has three valves.

A Sliver Trumpet A Brass Trumpet A Special “Jazz” Trumpet used by Dizzy Gillespie

The French Horn The second smallest of the brass family, it usually plays the middle harmony or alto part. The French horn is usually made of brass, but some are silver and some are made of nickel. It has three valves and is played with the right hand in the bell. The French horn is the only “left-handed” instrument.

A “Brass” French Horn A “Silver” French Horn The French Horn is played with your right hand in the bell

The Trombone The oldest member of the brass family, it usually plays the middle harmony or tenor part. The Trombone horn is almost always made of brass, but some are silver and some are made of mixture of brass and copper (rose brass). The Trombone is the only instrument in the world that uses a slide rather than keys, valves, or strings. (Some trombones have a single valve that allows them to play lower notes) The Trombone is was originally called the Sackbut. The trombone is also the instrument you hear making the “sliding” noise in Jazz and Dixie Land bands

The Trombone A Trombone with a valve Two Original Sackbuts

The Tuba The largest of the brasses, it usually plays the low harmony or bass part. The Tuba is made of brass or silver. It has three or four valves. Some special marching band tubas, called Sousaphones, are made out of a very thick plastic.

A “Brass” Tuba A “Silver” Tuba A fiberglass Sousaphone