AN OVERVIEW OF THE BRASS FAMILY

As we have learned from the previous page brass horns used to be made of animal horns. The instruments in the brass family are all made of a shiny metal, called brass – which is how they got their name. Each has a mouthpiece on one end and a flaring bell at the other. Each is curved and coiled. Using lip pressure and a slide or a key connected to a valve that changes the tube length, you can make different notes.

NOTE THIS!

See the Notes feature below? Use the notes box below to add notes and important information about the Brass Family instruments. When you are finished click the Save button to add them in your "My Work" folder.

EXPERIENCE THIS: Take a tour of all the members of the Brass Family, watch a video, learn about the instrument and its parts. This resource demonstrates how brass instruments make sound and change pitch. Examples are provided for each instrument.

Launch

This activity brings the brass instruments (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Tuba) front and center in full 3D models. To interact with one of the instrument models, select the instrument at the top of the screen, click and drag on the model to move around in a 360° space.