To call an instrument a “brass instrument” is a little bit of a misnomer. We shall look a little closer at that soon. But what we are going to do is to compile what can be termed a brass instruments list. By that, I mean what instruments are classified as brass instruments.
Quite A History
Brass instruments have an amazing history and have created a legacy that includes some great music.
Mozart wrote his horn concertos for his friend since childhood Joseph Leutgeb. We also have Handel’s Messiah and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. These were pieces written for and to include brass instruments hundreds of years ago.
Through The Years
We’ve gone through literal centuries to arrive at Louis Armstrong, who first played the cornet and then the trumpet, and became one of the greatest jazz trumpeters. He wasn’t the only jazz great on trumpet. We had Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and plenty of others.
And Today?
They are a vital feature of modern music. From the orchestra to dance bands to marching bands to Pop and Pock, brass instruments are an integral part. And they have been an integral part of some of today’s great music, like this track from Stevie Wonder or perhaps this song from Chicago.
What is a Brass Instrument?
One of the principal characteristics of brass instruments is that they produce sound in a unique way. That is, by amplifying and reverberating vibrations of the lips that are carried through a tubed resonator.
They are known by some as “Ambrosone”…
That means a lip-vibrated instrument. They are characterized by the sound they produce rather than the material they are made of. This is where the misnomer I mentioned is worth considering.
Firstly, not all instruments made from brass are considered brass instruments. A good example is the saxophone which is a wind instrument. Others that can be made of brass but are not part of the brass instruments list include the flute, clarinet, oboe, and others.
Secondly, not all brass instruments are made from brass. Over centuries, they have been made from bones or the horns of animals. From animal hide or shells and a multitude of other materials. Today, you can even find brass instruments made from fiberglass.
Confused?
It is not as bad as it sounds. Let’s go through what we know to be called brass instruments.
The Bugle
Let’s start with what was the progenitor of all of them, the Bugle. As an instrument, it has plus points and negative points.
On the plus side, it is the most uncomplicated and basic to play as it lacks any valves or slides to change pitch. Pitch is changed solely by the player’s embouchure, the shape of the lips on the mouthpiece.
On the negative side, this simplicity in design and operation causes its own problem. Its harmonic sequence extends only to a scale of five notes.
Origins
The origins of the bugle go back to prehistoric times and the hunt. Originally made from animal horns, it evolved through thousands of years to become a significant communication device for armies.
Used for communications and giving instructions from commanders to soldiers, it also issues commands for daily routines during peacetime. Its value was that maintenance was low, and it was easy to carry around and make the necessary sounds.
It still maintains an aura, as we can hear here from Louis Armstrong in “Bugle Blues.” The bugle evolved as instruments do, and soon valves were added, and it became a different instrument. The bugle was the forerunner of today’s cornet, trumpet, and flugelhorn.
The Cornet
In terms of the size of the instrument, the cornet could be considered a bugle with valves and a natural evolution of it. This isn’t strictly a good description because it indicates the cornet was the next brass instrument to appear. But, the trumpet came before the cornet.
The design and the way it is played make it a close cousin of the trumpet. The cornet is the smallest classic brass instrument.
Some people consider it difficult to play because of the shape of the mouthpiece. This is deeper and has a more ‘V-shaped’ cup than the trumpet. But, it might surprise you to know that about 30% of brass musicians play the cornet. This makes it the most popular brass instrument.
Like the trumpet…
The cornet can be compared to the trumpet in some ways. But there are many differences between them. For example, the cornet has a conical bore which will naturally produce a different sound from the trumpet.
The tone is rich and warm, and almost you might say, somber in its tone. That enables it to fit comfortably into a symphony orchestra as the sound is not bright and sharp.
Beginnings
It evolved in the early 1800s from a continental posthorn. That was similar to the French Horn design we know today but smaller. The original designs for the instrument were attributed to Jean Aste, who lived in Paris.
The standard cornet has a transition of B. However, there is a soprano cornet available for E and even C. Most cornets are in B-Flat or slightly smaller E-Flat versions.
Several Plus Points
It has a compact form and is, therefore, easier for young people wishing to play a brass instrument.
Louis Armstrong bought his first cornet when he was 15 from a pawn shop in New Orleans. That was after learning to play while in a correctional facility. He only changed to trumpet a bit later. Here he is playing cornet on an early track, “Heebie Jeebies.”
The sound, as I have mentioned, is different. It is soft and warm, and very melodious. In an orchestral situation, they are often grouped away from the louder instruments.
Limitations?
Only one. The cornet is rather limited when it comes to playing higher notes because of its shape and design. For some, that might be seen as a downside. But, it doesn’t seem to bother quite a lot of players as there are so many playing the instrument.
The Trumpet
This brass instrument also has quite a bit of history to it outside of being purely for music. Through the years, trumpets have been made of animal horns, shells, wood, and in later times, metal.
The modern instrument we see today is a modification of the bugle. It was first seen in the 15th Century when it was made of brass. This was a design with no valves. The valves were added in the late 18th or early 19th Century.
Their use has extended to summon people to come together, either for battle or for communal purposes. And, of course, for ceremonial purposes, something for which it is still used.
Not One But Five
Although we are probably all familiar with the look of the trumpet, there are five different types of trumpet. Let’s take a quick look at each, as they are a major part of any brass instruments list.
1 Standard B-Flat Trumpet
The trumpet you will be most familiar with for its look and sound. It’s the trumpet you will see in orchestras, Rock bands, and played by the jazz greats.
It has three valves, and the bore is partly cylindrical, part conical. It is built in B flat and has a range of three octaves. You can also get trumpets pitched in C and D, but you won’t often see them.
If the B flat trumpet were stretched out flat, the tubing would be anything up to 12 feet long. In an orchestra or group environment, there could be anything from two or more trumpets.
How they are used…
B-Flat trumpets might be employed in different ways, some playing melody, others harmony. They might also give some accompaniment rhythmically. It is played by using lips against the mouthpiece.
Pitch changes are made using the shape of your lips or embouchure, along with variations in how you press down the valves.
This Yamaha YTR-2330 Student Bb Trumpet is a classic, quality trumpet from one of the best manufacturers.
2 Piccolo Trumpet
The smallest member of the trumpet family. It is also built to B-Flat but plays an octave higher than the standard B-Flat. The amount of tubing used is about half of the standard trumpet. This means that air is going to travel faster.
That will create a high-pitched, very bright sound and makes the piccolo trumpet able to play the highest notes of all trumpets.
It can be a difficult trumpet to learn to play…
The design includes four valves rather than three, and the mouthpiece is also different. The amount of air needed and the tonguing action to get your sound is also different. The extra valve allows you to bring down the pitch by a 4th.
A great example of the piccolo trumpet can be heard playing the solo on The Beatles’ song “Penny Lane.” Here is an example if you are considering buying this kind of trumpet.
3 Pocket Trumpet
Because it is also smaller in size, many people confuse the pocket trumpet with a piccolo trumpet. The pocket trumpet, though, could be described as a scaled-down version of the standard B-Flat.
It enjoys the same range as the standard trumpet, and the length of the tubing is the same. Another difference to the piccolo is that there are three valves, not four.
Convenient
That it is. A standard trumpet, compressed in size to make it easier to carry around. But still carrying all the attributes of the standard B-Flat trumpet. Because the construction tubing, etc., is the same, there is virtually no difference in sound between the pocket and the B-Flat.
If there is a downside, it is that the sound is a little thinner, thus making it harder to project. Less projection means it will be a little quieter. That makes them great for practice but not so good for performances. A good example at a budget price is this Eastar B Flat Pocket Trumpet.
4 Bass Trumpet
Most trumpets have a vaguely familiar sound, but the bass trumpet is slightly different. The best way to describe the sound is that it is similar to a trombone. It has a harder sound than that of the trumpet.
The pitch can be either a 6th or a 9th below the standard B-Flat. Some bass trumpets are an octave down. They have four valves these days as opposed to the three of the original instrument. There is more tubing than the standard B-Flat.
One big difference is the amount of power these instruments generate. They are about the same as three or four trumpets together. They are quite rare and not the most common of trumpets you will see.
5 Baroque Trumpet
This is a trumpet that some may consider is something else and, again, is rarely seen. These instruments have a very long design, almost like a hunting horn, and has no valves.
They use “tuning holes” to create some notes, which was a pre-valve necessity. These are similar to the holes on a recorder today.
The sound is unique, created by its design, and it plays an octave higher than the standard B flat.
Commonplace
The trumpet is commonplace these days and is seen almost everywhere music is played. They have become recognized as excellent solo instruments because of the sharpness and clarity of their tone. They are a vital part and make an enormous contribution to any brass section.
But trumpets are only part of any brass instruments list. So, let’s continue with the other most common brass instruments.
The Trombone
Translated, trombone means “big trumpet” in Italian. Its history goes back further than you might imagine, with the first mention of a similar instrument in 1478. It was used at the marriage of Henry VII, where the instrument came from Portugal and was called a “shakbusshe.”
Easy To Play
According to some, it is the easiest brass instrument to learn to play. Although, it has to be said it doesn’t look that way. Instead of valves used to create the notes, it has a slider. The advantage of this system is that you can easily create not only the traditional notes but also the notes in between.
It has a cylindrical bore, and sound is created, as with all brass instruments, by buzzing the lips against the mouthpiece. The slider changes the physical length of the instrument, which in turn, adjusts the pitch. There are no valves as there are with some other brass instruments.
A Good Ear
That is something that the trombonist will need. They will need to be able to accurately hear the pitch of what they are playing and relate that to the note they are trying to create. Taking the slider too far in or out will create the wrong pitch.
Transportation
This is an area of concern for most who play the instrument. The slider is rather sensitive, and it could easily be damaged if not handled carefully during transport.
The answer is a strong plastic or wooden carrying case. This Eastrock Bb Tenor Trombone is a budget-range trombone but one that has a decent case for transportation.
Trombones come in different bore sizes. Most players seem to choose a tenor trombone that has a basic pitch of B. The trombone even has a song, “76 Trombones”, written about it from the 1957 musical “The Music Man” written by Meredith Willson.
The Flugelhorn
Another member of the brass instruments family played in a similar way to the cornet or trumpet. The sound sits somewhere between a French Horn and a trumpet. The length of the tubing is the same as the trumpet, but it has a broader conical bore.
But, the main difference is with the mouthpiece…
The mouthpiece on the Flugelhorn needs more air to play because of the wider bore. It was invented in 1828, in Berlin, by Heinrich Stolzel using his idea for developing a bugle with valves.
There are some disagreements about whether the flugelhorn can be likened to the cornet or trumpet. Those that disagree with the comparison cite the mouthpiece, which, it must be said, is vastly different.
Nevertheless, it should also be remembered that it is not a variation of either but an instrument in its own right that has certain similarities. And those similarities are common with all brass instruments. This Hawk Flugelhorn is a reasonable budget range example.
The French Horn
A member of the brass family we are familiar with and one that has a unique sound. Surprisingly, this was an instrument developed in France in the 16th century. Don’t know how we worked that one out.
The original instrument evolved from a horn that was used when hunting. It can produce a range of sounds, from soft and delicate to very loud. It can be harsh or very soothing. These variations make it a very popular instrument.
The length of the tubing is an incredible – 18 feet, wrapped into a circular design. It has been given a large bell and three valves. Whereas most brass instruments are played with the bell either horizontally or slightly elevated, the French Horn bell points to the ground.
In an orchestral situation…
You might find anywhere between two to six or even eight French Horns. They play either melodies or harmonies. The pitch is controlled by several factors:
[bl]- Embouchure.
- The speed of the air passing through the tubing.
- Action applied to the valves.
The double horn in F and B-Flat is the most widely used. It was a favorite instrument of Mozart, and he wrote several pieces for it.
There are some good examples of budget range instruments. This particular Double French Horn opinion comes with a fitted case which is very important.
Mellophone
The Mellophone is a lesser-known brass instrument and is most often seen in brass marching bands. It often replaces the French Horn in certain situations due to its forward-pointing horn. Also, it is sometimes used in orchestras in place of the French Horn since they sound very similar.
It has the traditional three valves and a large bell facing forward as opposed to down with the French Horn. It is usually pitched in either F or E-Flat, and the fingerings to produce notes are the same as the trumpet.
Due to its predominant use outside as a marching instrument, you rarely see it in any other environment. You wouldn’t call them extremely popular except in marching band circles. But they are still available to buy.
The Tuba
Now, to an instrument most will know that is sometimes called the “grandpa” of the brass section. Its name is the word “tube,” translated from Latin. This is a large instrument when compared with others in the brass family.
It has from three to six valves, although most beginners and amateur players have three valves. The fourth valve and up is for more experienced players. They have a very large bore and a very deep and broad mouthpiece that resembles a cup.
Four major pitches…
Those are F, E, C, and B. This instrument takes an incredible effort to play due to the size of the bore and the amount and design of the tubing. The average weight is between 20 and 30 pounds depending on the type of tuba you choose.
It is not often used as a melodious instrument and takes the role of the bass most of the time. Despite it being heavy and difficult to play, music has been written for it. One notable piece is this by British composer Vaughan Williams.
The tuba is not a particularly cheap instrument to buy, even for a beginner. But, given its size and the materials required to make it, that isn’t very surprising.
The Euphonium
While we are on the subject of the tuba, this is a variant that is sometimes called the “baritone tuba.” It is a very popular instrument with a standard pitch, an octave above the standard tuba, and an octave below the B-Flat trumpet.
You need to play it with a special mouthpiece that has a more conical shape and is deeper. There are three and four-valve varieties that give very good intonation. Maintenance is easy and similar to a trumpet. Just some oil on the valves occasionally.
They are not as easy to buy as some other brass instruments, but this Rowell Euphonium is a decent option for a beginner.
Brass Instruments List – Final Thoughts
In some ways, brass instruments are specific instruments. And, because you blow it without using a reed, it takes a very exact technique to play it well.
As you can see, there is a range of brass instruments available, some with different functions to perform. But they all make a powerful sound and one that is today very much in demand.
Brass instruments originated from horns when they were made from a variety of materials. And, they are not always made of brass today, even though they have quite rightly retained the name. A great family of instruments that we just couldn’t do without.
Until next time, let the music play.
