Instruments
Here you can learn about the instruments used in a traditional brass band.
Soprano Cornet
The soprano cornet adds a soaring high voice to the brass band. Though very similar to the standard B♭ cornet, it is a transposing instrument in E♭, pitched a fourth higher. Because of its demanding upper-register work, the soprano cornet requires skill and stamina to play. A traditional British-style ensemble like the Chester Brass Band features one soprano cornet, which can often be heard playing lead or descant parts.
read moreCornet
The cornet is the leading melodic instrument in a British-style brass band. Though similar in appearance and playing technique to a trumpet, the cornet actually evolved separately. The cornet has a conical bore and more compact wrap than a trumpet, which results in a mellower tone quality. Cornet players often choose deeper mouthpieces than trumpeters, in order to emphasize the sweetness of the cornet’s sound. A traditional British-style brass band usually features nine cornets, divided over four parts – solo cornet, repiano...
read moreFlugelhorn
The flugelhorn has a darker and mellower sound than a cornet, and is sometimes featured on melodic or jazzy solos. Flugelhorn players often choose a very deep v-shaped mouthpiece to darken the horn’s sound as much as possible. The flugelhorn’s unusual name is derived from the German word Flügel, which means “wing” or “flank”. A similar instrument was used on the battlefield to summon the flanks of an army. A traditional British-style brass band includes a single flugelhorn.
read moreE♭ Horn
In brass band music, the E♭ horn (also called tenor horn) plays a similar role to the orchestral horn in symphonic music. It is a middle-register instrument with a haunting sound quality. While often used to create the lush harmonies for which brass bands are famous, the E♭ horn is sometimes featured as a solo voice. A traditional British-style brass band includes three E♭ horns.
read moreBaritone
The baritone has a predominantly cylindrical bore and uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium. It sounds with a timbre somewhere between the brightness of a trombone and the more mellow tone of the euphonium. A traditional British-style brass band includes two baritones.
read moreEuphonium
The euphonium has an extensive range, and is often featured as a soloist. It’s rich timbre, combined with its agility, has led some to call it “the cello of the band”. Euhoniums typically have extremely important parts in marches, but are also featured extensively throughout the brass band’s repertoire. A traditional British-style brass band includes two euphoniums.
read moreTenor Trombone
Unlike most brass band instruments, the trombone has a predominantly cylindrical bore. This gives the instrument a slightly more aggressive sound, particularly useful in marches. A skilled trombonist can also produce a sweet melodic tone, suitable for lyrical solos. The trombone’s most distinctive feature is its telescopic slide, which is used instead of valves to produce a chromatic series of notes. The slide allows the trombone to produce effects such as a true glissando, “sliding” from note to note. A traditional...
read moreBass Trombone
The bass trombone is identical in length to the tenor trombone, but has a wider bore to help produce a fuller, weightier tone. It also has a valve which lowers the key of the instrument by a fourth. The bass trombone is the only instrument in the brass band written in the bass clef. A traditional British-style brass band includes one bass trombone, but additional players are sometimes added to the part.
read moreBass (Tuba)
The brass band includes up to four tubas, pitched in E♭ (bass) or B♭ (contrabass). Tubas usually provide the foundation of the rich harmonies for which brass bands are famous, but the instrument can be surprisingly agile and is sometimes featured as a soloist.
read morePercussion
Brass bands arrangements are designed for a specific group of wind instruments, but percussion is where composers and arrangers can let their imaginations run wild. Depending on the piece, a brass band may be accompanied by tympani, bass drum, a jazz-rock drum kit, xylophone, chimes, bells, crash cymbals, tambourine, cowbell, wooden blocks and much more. Percussionists are limited only by their imagination and the materials at hand. A traditional British-style brass band may include up to four percussionists.
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