We all love a bit of brass. From classical to brass bands to swing and jazz,
the sounds can be soft and mellow or, well, plain brassy.
the sounds can be soft and mellow or, well, plain brassy.
A brass instrument produces sound by the vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips. The term ‘labrosone’, from the Latin "lip" and "sound", is also used for the group, since instruments employing this method of sound production can be made from other materials like wood or animal horn, particularly early or traditional instruments such as the cornett, alphorn or shofar.
There are several factors involved in producing different pitches on a brass instrument. Slides, valves or keys are used to change vibratory length of tubing, thus changing the available harmonic series, while the player's embouchure, lip tension and airflow help select the specific note required.
There are several factors involved in producing different pitches on a brass instrument. Slides, valves or keys are used to change vibratory length of tubing, thus changing the available harmonic series, while the player's embouchure, lip tension and airflow help select the specific note required.
Modern brass instruments generally come in one of two families.
Valved brass instruments use a set of valves (typically three or four but as many as seven or more in some cases) operated by the player's fingers. These introduce additional tubing, or crooks, into the instrument, changing its overall length.
This family includes all of the modern brass instruments except the trombone: trumpet, French horn, euphonium, and tuba, as well as the cornet, flugelhorn, tenor horn, baritone horn, sousaphone, and mellophone.
The valves are usually piston valves, but can be rotary valves; the latter are the norm for the horn and are also common on the tuba.
Valved brass instruments use a set of valves (typically three or four but as many as seven or more in some cases) operated by the player's fingers. These introduce additional tubing, or crooks, into the instrument, changing its overall length.
This family includes all of the modern brass instruments except the trombone: trumpet, French horn, euphonium, and tuba, as well as the cornet, flugelhorn, tenor horn, baritone horn, sousaphone, and mellophone.
The valves are usually piston valves, but can be rotary valves; the latter are the norm for the horn and are also common on the tuba.
Standard trumpet
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French horn
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Cornet
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Tuba
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Slide brass instruments use a slide to change the length of tubing. The main instruments in this category are the trombone family, though valve trombones are occasionally used, especially in jazz.
There are two other families that have, in general, become functionally obsolete for practical purposes. Instruments of both types, however, are sometimes used for period-instrument performances of Baroque or Classical pieces. In more modern compositions, they are occasionally used for their intonation or tone colour.
Natural brass instruments, valveless or slideless, only play notes in the instrument's harmonic series. These include the bugle and older variants of the trumpet and horn. Natural instruments are still played for period performances and some ceremonial functions, and are occasionally found in more modern scores, such as those by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss.
There are two other families that have, in general, become functionally obsolete for practical purposes. Instruments of both types, however, are sometimes used for period-instrument performances of Baroque or Classical pieces. In more modern compositions, they are occasionally used for their intonation or tone colour.
Natural brass instruments, valveless or slideless, only play notes in the instrument's harmonic series. These include the bugle and older variants of the trumpet and horn. Natural instruments are still played for period performances and some ceremonial functions, and are occasionally found in more modern scores, such as those by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss.
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Valves
Valves are used to change the length of tubing of a brass instrument allowing the player to reach the notes of various harmonic series. Each valve pressed diverts the air stream through additional tubing, individually or in conjunction with other valves. This lengthens the vibrating air column thus lowering the fundamental tone and associated harmonic series produced by the instrument. Slide A slide operates in a similar way to a valve by lengthening the vibrating air column. However, while a valve will produce the same effect each time it is pressed, a slide has no guide so it is up to the skill of the player to create the perfect note each time. |
Metal
Traditionally the instruments are normally made of brass, polished and then lacquered to prevent corrosion. Some higher quality and higher cost instruments use gold or silver plating to prevent corrosion.
The process of making the large open end (bell) of a brass instrument is called metal beating. In making the bell of, for example, a trumpet, a person lays out a pattern and shapes sheet metal into a bell-shape using templates, machine tools, handtools, and blueprints.
The maker cuts out the bell blank, using hand or power shears. He hammers the blank over a bell-shaped mandrel, and butts the seam, using a notching tool. The seam is brazed, using a torch and smoothed using a hammer or file.
Why is brass used to make musical instruments?
Brass is an alloy made up of copper and zinc and, unlike metals such as iron, doesn’t rust easily.
Although this doesn’t mean that brass won’t tarnish, it does mean that it’s less likely to tarnish than other metals with appropriate care.
Brass is easier to manipulate and work with. It’s malleable and therefore can be moulded and bent into the spaces necessary to create the sounds desired by the instruments being manufactured.
Brass is sonorous which means it is ideal for producing fantastic sound quality.
And finally… brass looks beautiful! Let’s be honest, brass instruments look stunning and, of course, beauty comes with its own appeal. Who doesn’t love the look of a brass instrument? Brass gleams and catches the light in an alluring and interesting way which is simply a pleasure to behold.
However, alongside all of the above, it’s also important to note that brass instruments are also often coated in either lacquer or silver-plate to minimise tarnishing and keep them looking good.
Traditionally the instruments are normally made of brass, polished and then lacquered to prevent corrosion. Some higher quality and higher cost instruments use gold or silver plating to prevent corrosion.
The process of making the large open end (bell) of a brass instrument is called metal beating. In making the bell of, for example, a trumpet, a person lays out a pattern and shapes sheet metal into a bell-shape using templates, machine tools, handtools, and blueprints.
The maker cuts out the bell blank, using hand or power shears. He hammers the blank over a bell-shaped mandrel, and butts the seam, using a notching tool. The seam is brazed, using a torch and smoothed using a hammer or file.
Why is brass used to make musical instruments?
Brass is an alloy made up of copper and zinc and, unlike metals such as iron, doesn’t rust easily.
Although this doesn’t mean that brass won’t tarnish, it does mean that it’s less likely to tarnish than other metals with appropriate care.
Brass is easier to manipulate and work with. It’s malleable and therefore can be moulded and bent into the spaces necessary to create the sounds desired by the instruments being manufactured.
Brass is sonorous which means it is ideal for producing fantastic sound quality.
And finally… brass looks beautiful! Let’s be honest, brass instruments look stunning and, of course, beauty comes with its own appeal. Who doesn’t love the look of a brass instrument? Brass gleams and catches the light in an alluring and interesting way which is simply a pleasure to behold.
However, alongside all of the above, it’s also important to note that brass instruments are also often coated in either lacquer or silver-plate to minimise tarnishing and keep them looking good.
