Brass wind instruments

Brass Instruments

The brass family includes various musical instruments characterized by a metal tube (usually brass) that can take different shapes depending on the instrument (straight, oval, or curved), and typically features a mouthpiece and a bell at each end of the instrument. Although today their metal composition is widely extended in most countries that manufacture them, originally they were built with elements directly taken from nature and their purpose was non-musical.

Characteristics of Brass Instruments

But... what do all these instruments have in common?

• Let's start with the obvious... They belong to the wind family, just like woodwind instruments, with the distinction that the materials of their composition are different between the two families.

• Sound is generated by the vibration of the lips on the instrument's mouthpiece; specifically, they are direct blown aerophones.

• They use three key elements: a metal tube (in any of its possible forms), the mouthpiece where the musician begins to create sound, and the bell that "allows those in the back row at auditions to hear the sound" (it amplifies the sound).

• They exhibit strong directionality, meaning they focus the sound directly from the bell, which requires correct placement to achieve good sound emission without loss.

• They allow musicians to achieve a wide range of notes simply by using air pressure and lip tension.

How Brass Instruments Work

The process of brass instruments begins with the musician's lips, who introduces a specific airflow through the mouthpiece while making their lips vibrate. The placement of the lips will be crucial for playing a specific note. Similarly, the use or combination of the different valves, slides, or pistons that each instrument has will also be decisive in creating musical notes. Other ways to alter the sound include inserting a hand inside the bell to create more muffled sound effects or using a mute to modify the timbre. Through this air vibration, brass instruments achieve a very powerful timbre compared to other musical families.

Where can we hear brass instruments?

Brass instruments are commonly found in the classical orchestra, which has made them so popular worldwide. Moreover, some of them are characteristic of American band music, Big Band music, and jazz.

Types of Brass Instruments

For a first generic and simple classification, we could distinguish two main groups based on the shape of the instrument's tubing:

• Conical type: The main tube gradually widens from the mouthpiece to the bell. They resemble conch shells and horns. Some examples include the tuba, trumpet, or flugelhorn.

• Cylindrical type: The widening occurs in the leadpipe until just before reaching the bell, and the passage between pistons also has a cylindrical shape. They resemble wooden reeds. Two major instruments in this group are the trumpet and the trombone.

Brass Instruments at NEOmúsica

While the most well-known and popularized instruments might be the trumpet, trombone, French horn, and tuba, at NEOmúsica we offer a wide range of brass instruments. Take a look at everything we have, and if you don't find what you're looking for, you can contact us anytime; we'll be happy to help you find it.

1. Cornet
2. Flugelhorn
3. Trombone
4. French Horn
5. Trumpet
6. Tuba
7. Euphonium

Still undecided?

It's normal... Choosing your brass instrument is a very important decision, and we need to think it through carefully. The type of instrument you choose will accompany you for many years (if you don't abandon it in the corner of your room...). There are too many different models, sizes, and prices, and factors such as the type of sound or your level of experience will be decisive when buying a brass instrument.

Why buy brass instruments at NEOmúsica?

Neomusica has been offering products for years that meet a set of specific attributes: reliability, design, quality, and guarantee.

Brass instruments are delicate, so we strive to take utmost care of the distribution process as well as delivery times, so that everything arrives perfect and at the right moment.

Our catalog of brands and variety of brass instruments are very extensive. No matter what you're looking for: trumpets, euphoniums, trombones, flugelhorns, tubas, French horns, or any other instrument you're looking for, you can find it in our store or ask us to get it for you. Furthermore, we work with great brands like: Hans Hoyer, Jupiter, Yamaha, Selmer, Schagerl and many more.

We also have a wide range of brass instrument accessories, from any brass mouthpiece to cases or gig bags for instruments or anything else you might need.

We work with trusted suppliers and great professional musicians so that they can advise you in each of our product categories in a close and personalized way.

Buying brass instruments online is really easy from our website neomusica.es but if you prefer, come visit us at our music store in Buñol and meet us in person.