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10-05-2024

Learn About the Brass Instrument Family

Just like others, if you believe the brass family received its name because the instruments are made up of brass, then you are correct! 

They are known for their ability to produce loud and far-reaching sounds, making them unique among other orchestral instruments. These instruments have been admired for centuries for their brightness, warmth, and clarity of sound. 

They are versatile and can be used in various music genres, including big band symphonies, jazz, swing, and others. Regardless of personal music preferences, anyone with the desire to create a rich and full sound can play a brass instrument. 

Are you excited to play a brass instrument? In this post, we will take a look at different brass family instruments. So, whether you are a professional musician or simply want to try a brass instrument for the first time, as the best brass instruments online store in Australia, at InstruShare, we have listed the top brass instrument suitable for anyone. 

All About the Brass Instrument Family  

Brass instruments belong to a family of musical instruments that produce sound by vibrating the player's lips against a metal mouthpiece. These instruments are usually made from brass or other metals and are known for their vibrant and powerful sound. 

Common brass instruments include the trumpet, trombone, French horn, and tuba. They are used extensively in various musical genres, such as classical and jazz, as well as in marching bands and orchestras. 

Brass instruments are valued for their dynamic range, versatility, and capacity to add depth and richness to any musical ensemble. Mastering these the brass instrument family necessitates skill, practice, and dedication. 

Did you know that apart from brass family instruments, string instruments have been attracting a wide number of musicians in Australia.  

Click here to learn about the string instrument family

How to Play Brass Family Instruments? 

Brass instruments work by having a long, coiled tube that air is blown through. The pitch of the instrument, also known as the fundamental pitch or pedal tone, is determined by the length of the tube.  

To play a brass instrument, you must produce a "buzzing" sound through the mouthpiece located at the end of the metal tube. This sound then travels through the tube and causes it to resonate, amplifying the sound so that it can be heard by audiences. 

By adjusting the tightness of your lips, you can access many notes of the harmonic series, which are notes built upon the fundamental pitch and also known as natural harmonics. 

This technique is known as embouchure. However, the natural harmonics of a brass instrument have two limitations: they are not in tune with how we normally tune instruments and there is a limited selection of notes available. 

To achieve more notes, valves and slides are used to change the length of the pipe, which changes the fundamental pitch. 

The woodwind family is a unique group of instruments that add a distinctive element to the symphony of sounds. 

Checkout this interesting post to learn about the woodwind instrument family

The Most Popular Brass Family Instruments  

Given below are some of the famous brass instruments, available at InstruShare, a leading online brass instrument store in Australia:  

1. French Horn  

The French horn, unlike the English horn, is a horn that originally comes from France. It has its roots in the French hunting horn of the 1600s and can produce a wide range of sounds. These include very loud to very soft, and from harsh and blaring to mellow and smooth. 

The French horn is a brass instrument with 18 feet of tubing that is rolled up into a circular shape, with a large bell at its end. An orchestra can have anywhere from 2 to 8 French horns, and they play both melody and harmony, as well as rhythm. 

To play the French horn, hold it with the bell curving downwards and buzz into the mouthpiece. Your left hand plays the three valves, and you can change the type of sound you make by the way you place your right hand in the bell. 

2. Trumpet  

The trumpet has been a part of human culture for a very long time. Ancient peoples played trumpet-like instruments made of conch shell, animal horn, wood or metal. 

Throughout history, trumpets have been used to sound alarms, gather people together, call for war, and solidify parade music. Similar to the violin, the trumpet is the smallest member of its family, with a bright and vibrant sound that plays the highest pitches.  

The modern trumpet is a slender brass pipe with three attached valves, which is curved and bent into long loops. If stretched out to its full length, it would measure 6 ½ feet long. An orchestra typically consists of 2 to 4 trumpets, which play both melody and harmony and support the rhythm. 

To play the trumpet, you hold it horizontally, buzz your lips into the mouthpiece, and press down the three valves in various combinations to change pitch. 

3. Tuba  

The tuba is the grandfather of the brass instrument family and the largest and lowest brass instrument. It plays an essential role in anchoring the harmony of not only the brass family but the entire orchestra with its deep and rich sound.  

Like other brass instruments, the tuba is a long metal tube that is curved into an oblong shape, with a massive bell at the end. The size of the tuba varies from 9 to 18 feet, with longer tubas producing lower sounds.  

The standard tuba has around 16 feet of tubing. Typically, there is only one tuba in an orchestra, and its role is mostly to play harmony.  

When playing the tuba, you sit down with the instrument on your lap, and the bell facing upwards. You blow and buzz into a large mouthpiece and use your hand to press down on the valves, which changes the sound. To produce sound with the tuba, you need to take in a lot of breath. 

4. Trombone  

The trombone is the only instrument in the brass family that uses a slide instead of valves to change pitch. A standard trombone is made up of long, thin brass pipes. 

Two U-shaped pipes are linked at opposite ends to form an "S" shape. One of the pipes slides into the other so that the total length of the pipe can be extended or shortened.  

You play the trombone by holding it horizontally, buzzing into the mouthpiece, and using your right hand to change pitch by pushing or pulling the slide to one of seven different positions.  

When stretched out straight, the trombone is about 9 feet long. In the orchestra, there are usually three trombones, and they play pitches in the same range as the cello and bassoon. The three trombones often play harmonies together. 

Have you ever wondered how woodwind, string, brass and other category of musical instruments are grouped together? Well, there are five main family of musical instruments. 

Click here to know about the 5 different types of musical instruments

Notable Benefits of Playing Brass Family Instruments 

Playing and renting brass musical instruments from InstruShare can benefit your health in numerous ways. It can improve your breathing and lung strength, which can have a positive impact on overall physical wellbeing.  

Additionally, playing music has been shown to help with mental health by reducing rates of depression and anxiety. These benefits are so significant that even if you don't particularly enjoy playing, it's still worth giving it a try! 

  • Better Respiratory Health  

Brass instruments require strong breath control, which strengthens respiratory muscles and increases lung capacity. Regular practice can enhance respiratory efficiency and overall lung function. 

  • More Discipline and Patience 

Mastering a brass instrument requires dedication and persistence. Learning to play involves consistent practice and incremental improvement, promoting discipline and patience in players.  

  • Improved Cognitive Skills  

Playing brass instruments stimulates various cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and problem-solving. Learning to read music and interpret musical notation improves cognitive abilities over time. 

  • Low Stress and Better Relaxation 

Engaging in music-making has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The act of playing a brass instrument can serve as a form of therapy, offering an outlet for self-expression and emotional release.  

  • Emotional and Social Development  

Playing in brass musical instruments in bands promotes teamwork, cooperation, and social interaction. Collaborating with others to create music promotes a sense of community and belonging, while also developing empathy and emotional intelligence. 

  • Increased Confidence and Self Esteem  

Progressing in brass instrument proficiency improves self-confidence and self-esteem. Performing in front of others, and receiving positive feedback contribute to a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. 

Do you feel excited about your child's passion for music? With InstruShare, you can rent a variety of unique musical instruments for kids. 

Click here to get to know about the best musical instruments for kids to buy online in Australia

To Wrap Up: Learn About the Brass Instrument Family  

As we come to the end of our exploration of the brass instrument family, we hope that you have gained a deeper appreciation for these remarkable brass musical instruments.  

Whether you are inspired to pick up a trumpet, trombone, French horn, or tuba yourself, or simply enjoy listening to their enchanting melodies, the brass family continues to captivate audiences in Australia with its timeless beauty and expressive power.  

So, go ahead visit InstruShare, look for the best brass instruments online and immerse yourself in the rich harmonies and majestic sounds of brass. 

However, you will be surprised to know that there are few musical instruments which originated in Australia! 

Here are the top 6 Australian musical instruments you should know. 

Rent High Quality Brass Family Instruments from InstruShare 

Are you excited to play and listen to those bright, beautiful sounds of a trumpet, trombone, or tuba? InstruShare can help you turn that dream into reality! Our online platform offers high quality brass instruments rental services, perfect for beginners or seasoned players who want to try something new.  

Renting is a great way to save money compared to buying, and InstruShare makes the process convenient. Browse our selection online and find the perfect brass musical instrument for you. 

Don't wait any longer! Register on InstruShare today, we have trumpets, trombones, French horns, and other brass music instruments, all waiting to fill your world with music.  

Start your musical journey and rent a perfect brass instrument from InstruShare! 

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