Brass Instruments

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paris_tuba.asx

straussalsotrumpet.asx

tilleulenspiegelhorn.asx

History

Straight, silver and bronze trumpets that were still playable dating from approximately 1400 BC were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen. There are several Biblical references to trumpets as are there to trumpet competitions at the Ancient Olympic Games.

In its earliest history the trumpet was a signaling and military device and it still retains ceremonial duties as the long, straight fanfare trumpet decorated with a banner. In modern military bands the cornet usually takes its place.

The trumpet of Medieval Europe was known as the buisine, a straight instrument of some 1.8 metres (6 feet). By the fifteenth century the straight shape had been folded into a sort of zig-zagged "S" shape. This was known as the clarion but by the sixteenth century the characteristic elongated loop to the tubing had appeared in the trumpet.

Up until this time, natural trumpets were restricted to sounding the harmonic series of notes associated with the length of their tubing but, as with the horn, crooks were introduced in the mid seventeenth century. These crooks were additional lengths of tubing that were detachable and interchangeable so that the overall length could be altered with the effect of influencing the fundamental pitch and it's associated notes.

In addition to the introduction of crooks, slide trumpets were also tried as a means of overcoming the limitations of the natural trumpets. The earliest slide trumpets allowed the whole body of the instrument to move along the tube containing the mouthpiece but later instruments had a slide mechanism reminiscent of that of the sackbut/trombone.

In the very early nineteenth century attempts to use keys were tried but this was almost immediately overtaken and replaced by the invention of the valve in 1820. The significance of the valve can be seen from the fact that it equated a solitary trumpet with three valves to seven natural trumpets or one trumpet with six crooks. The valve trumpet made its first orchestral appearance in1835

Brass Gone Wild!

Parts of Brass Instruments

Trombone

French Horn

Euphonium/Tuba Bell

Valves

Slides

Mouthpiece

Mouthpiece

Cleaning and Maintenance

OILING THE VALVES - do this about 2 times a week.

Hold your trumpet exactly like would would when playing it but hold it at a 45 degree angle downward. Unscrew the top cap and lift the valve only half way out of the casing. Do not remove it completely. Put about 5 drops of valve oil on the valve surface. Spread the oil around by rotating the valve up and down and around in the casing. Let the valve fall into the casing all the way down. Turn the valve until you hear a click, indicating that the valve guide has fallen in the right space. (The valve guide is a small plastic piece located under the valve spring. This valve guide must snap into a little notch inside the casing. When it does, the valve will be perfectly aligned. You will know when the valve guide is in the right place because you will feel and hear a click and the valve will not rotate any longer.

How to grease your slides. Do this about once a month.

Greasing "slow slides" Remember these are “slow slides“, so you must grease them, not oil them. Take the slides out every month and put a thin coat of grease on the tubes and slide them back in place. You can buy tuning slide grease at most music stores for just a few dollars.

Remove the slide Put a layer of messy and sticky slide grease on the slide. Spread it around with your fingers. Yes your fingers will get all greasy. Replace the slide tube.

With your fingers wipe off any excess grease that squeezes out after you insert the slide. Use this excess to put on the next slide. Do the same thing with the next slide.

As long as you oil and grease it regularly, you will not need to do anything else and your trumpet will be happy.

Correct Hand Position For Trumpet

To most people finger position is insignificant as a concern. But, it becomes and issue when the player desires to achieve the highest of goals in regards to speed and agility. The habits that are started at the beginning stages of playing can lay a solid foundation for success or doom the player to future frustration and failure. That is why this should be a big concern to every player.

The obvious function of the Fingers of The Right Hand is to control the valves. The Grip of the Left Hand must be firm and solid in order to completely hold the weight of the horn and thereby completely free The Fingers Of The Right Hand to only control the valves.

Correct left hand position

Alternate position for larger hands

The thumb of the right hand must remain straight and not bent at the knuckle. The thumb should be on the first valve and not between the first and second valves. The fingers strike the valve caps on the ball of the fingers.

The use of the tips will result

in a cramped and tight hand position and the flattened position will result in loss of control and leverage with the fingers.

The goal is to have the fingers in a position that is the fastest and most relaxed position in order to play and never get tired.

Correct Right Hand

Incorrect finger tips

Incorrect flattened position

The little finger of The Right Hand should not be put in the finger hook, except when needed for a page turn, use of a plunger mute or another brief use of The Left Hand. Placing the little finger in the finger hook inhibits the movement of the third valve finger and allows for the bad habit of using it to apply more than necessary pressure to the lips when playing.