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Brass Instruments
Brass instruments are lip-vibrated instruments (labrosones). Here you can ask questions about the different types of brass instruments, methods of cleaning them, etc.
739 Questions
Is a saxophone a brass instruments?
No. It is a woodwind reed instrument.
The brass section includes: Trumpets, Cornets, Trombones, Tubas, Sousaphones, Baritones, F Horns (formerly known as French Horns), and any instrument that uses a brass mouthpiece and requires the player to "buzz" their lips to produce the instruments sound.
"Buzzing" the lips is a phrase in which the instrument player makes a buzzing sound with their lips. Commonly used in brass instruments.
What do trombones have that other brass instruments don't?
Trombones are played by moving a slide, while other brass instruments use valves to change notes.
Is a trombone a open or closed organ pipe?
Open. Trombone is a reed stop of the trumpet class with full length (or harmonic) resonators. Construction varies from builder to builder but all are, without exception, open.
Which device do brass players use in their instrument to dampen the sound?
Brass players use mutes to dampen the sound of their instruments.
What symphony was the first to use trombones?
Beethoven's Fifth was the first symphony to include trombones.
Were baritone saxophonists Nick Brignola and Mike Brignola related?
No, they weren't - but they used to make jokes about it themselves.
Where are trumpets located in an orchestra?
They are found near the back of the orchestra near the double basses. the trumpets in an orchestra sit in the very back row smack dab in the middle with the french horns to their right and the trombones to their left.
What the difference between the trombone and the brass family?
trombones have a slide but the rest of the brass are very similar but with likely keys or valves
Any given length of tubing will produce a specific set of notes on what is called the "overtone series." By making the length longer or shorter, it changes the group of available notes.
How long has Steven Mead been playing euphonium?
Steven Mead has been playing the euphonium since he was a child, starting around the age of 10. This means he has been playing for several decades, as he has built a distinguished career as a soloist and educator in brass music. His extensive experience has made him one of the leading euphonium players in the world.
Were trumpets used to announce royalty?
Anyone playing a trumpet, either good or bad grabs attention.
But if you're important enough you want to have as much attention focussed on you as possible. Blasting out a fanfare on a trumpet GUARANTEES attention, and quietens the rabble, announcing the arrival of somebody important.
How is breath used differently when playing brass instruments?
When playing a wind instrument (woodwind and brass) air support is incredibly important. The music will probably limit your intake of air so when you breathe in you should breathe in from the bottom. Try and expand your stomach. Then fill as high as you can and push it out from the bottom. Make sure you are breathing enough to fully support all of your notes as this will make it much easier to hit higher notes and will give you a fuller sound. Less pinchy and less airy
How loud the air vibration is from the bell of the instrument.
Technically the maximum zero to peak value (0-90 degrees) of the sinusoidal waveform.
Can cork grease be used on brass instruments?
Yes. Cork grease is usually made from the same ingredients as vasiline or chapstick. All three can be used as slide grease on brass instruments on tuning slides. Do not use it on valves or trombone slides though.
