As Bold as Brass: Meet the Brass Family

AS BOLD AS BRASS MEET THE BRASS FAMILY Loud, bright, and bombastic, brass instruments are designed to make a statement. But for all their boldness, the brass family is filled with character and nuance that creates a unique sound not found in any other music family. What is a Brass Instrument? Despite the name, brass isn't the qualifying feature of this family. Alphorns, didgeridoos, and cornetts are considered brass instruments but are generally made of wood. The saxophone is made of brass but is in the woodwind family. What is the defining characteristic? Lip vibrations. Unlike other instruments, the sound of a brass instrument is produced by the player's buzzing lips For woodwind instruments, the sound is produced by the vibration of the reeds. In string instruments, the sound is produced by vibrating strings. Fun Historical Facts O The first brass instruments were made from conch shells, bones, and animal horns. V The conch horn dates from 2000 to 1500 B.C. and was reportedly used in religious ceremonies. O The first brass horns were simple in design, featuring a mouthpiece and a long piece of tubing that flared out into a bell shape. Hollow animal horns were believed to be used in prayer ceremonies for rain and fertility. V These early horns were also used for signaling during war. These horns could only produce a few notes in the harmonic series based on the instrument's length and the player's lips. O The natural horn featured exchangeable crooks, which changed the length of the instrument, though switching out crooks was a slow process. O The Scandinavian luur and Roman buccina were made of bronze and silver and appeared between 800 and 400 B.C. O The cornetto was used in the 15th and 16th century and comprised a wooden tube with 6 or 7 finger holes to create different notes. O The slide trumpet appeared in the early 15th century, allowing for slightiy greater flexibility and range. O The slide trumpet gave way to the sackbut. created around 468. From French "sacquer" (to draw out) and "bouter" (to shovel, describing the push and pull motion of the slide. O In 1814, Heinrich Stolzel attached the first valve mechanism to his French horn. v The sackbut was a predecessor to the trombone. v Valves changed playing techniques, allowing for whole new forms of music. 1835 O The tuba was patented in by Prussian bandmaster Wilhelm Wieprecht and German instrument builder Johann Gottfried Moritz. Valves also allowed for semitones, or half steps between notes. The Brass Family Common brass instruments: French horn Flugelhorn Trombone Trumpet Euphonium Baritone Tuba How Brass Instruments Make Sound The sound produced by a brass instrument starts with lip buzzing directed into a mouthpiece. The pitch is determined by: Valved instruments use 3 or 4 valves to add more tubing to the instrument to change its length. v The shape of a player's lips and facial muscles, known as the embouchure (the tighter the embouchure, the higher the pitch) v Different combinations of valves can be used to play notes in the chromatic scale. The speed of air, allowing lips to vibrate faster or slower The length of tubing, altered by slides and valves (the longer the instrument, the lower the sound) Slide instruments use a telescoping slide to change the length of tubing. v The frombone features seven basic slide positions to play notes in a scale. Brass instruments also use mutes to change the timbre and lower the volume. By placing a hand inside the bell, French horn players can change the pitch by as much as a half step. v Fun fact: The teacher's "voice" in the Charlie Brown cartoons is actually a trombone using a plunger mute. Tips for Mastering Brass Instruments Study music theory, which will help you read music and learn dynamics. Develop a strong, Do not puff out your cheeks. consistent embouchure to improve your tone and range. Playing high notes is considerably harder on brass instruments. To play notes above the staff: VPractice your scales, gradually increasing the range. Breathe from your diaphragm. You should feel your stomach inflate with little to no v Tighten your lips. Use more air than you would expect. movement in your shoulders. Aim to blow"faster" rather than "harder." Be patient. v Clean the inside of your instrument regularly to prevent stuck valves. Blow from the back of your throat for a warmer, fuller tone. v Apply plenty of valve oil and slide grease. V Drain your spit valve after every play session. V Practice rhythms frequently, with particular emphasis on slurred and tongued patterns. Have fun! V Avoid playing your instrument immediately after a meal. Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_instrument http://horncentral.com/FAncient-Brass-Instruments-History to-l600.html http://www.wired.com/2010/05/0503brass-valve horns/ http://www.blackdiamondbrass.com/tbahist/tubahist.htm http://www.summersong.net/teacher/trumpet/brassinstrumentmutes/ http://mentaifloss.com/article/21112/instrument-behind adutts-peanuts http://www.tsmp.org/band/trumpet/wurtz play_higher.html