TRUMPET

 

 

 

Construction:
The modern trumpet is a looped length of cylindrical bore metal tubing opening to a flared bell. Three valves are used to lengthen or shorten the tube to create changes of pitch.

History:
The origin of the trumpet dates back to ancient Egypt. Until the sixteenth century it was long and straight, then was looped back and appeared in seventeenth century orchestras.

Technique:
It is played horizontally by blowing through a cup-shaped mouthpiece. The player altering the pressure of the lips on the mouthpiece can also make pitch changes. A mute can be used. It is the highest sounding orchestral brass instrument, with a bright penetrating sound.

Scoring:
In the orchestral score, the trumpet part is between the french horns and the trombones and is notated in the treble clef. It is a transposing instrument, sounding a tone lower than written. Orchestral music usually requires two trumpets.

 

FRENCH HORN

 

Construction:
The modern French Horn is a long coiled metal tube that flares to a wide bell. The mouthpiece is funnel-shaped and it is played with the bell opening to the side. There are usually three valves to lengthen or shorten the tube to change the pitch, providing a wide range of treble and bass notes.

History:
The French Horn originated from a primitive instrument used for hunting and military purposes.

Technique:
Normally its tone is mellow, but the player can vary the tone by placing the right hand into the bell to mute or "stop" notes, or create a brassy sound with heavier breath pressure. The variety of tone blends well into an orchestra, especially with woodwinds and other brass instruments.

Scoring:
Pitched in F, with its music notated in the treble clef, it is a transposing instrument, sounding a fifth lower than written. Orchestral composers usually write for four horns, the higher notes played by Horns I and III, the lower notes played by II and IV.

 

TROMBONE

 

Construction:
The trombone is in two sections fitted together. One has a looped cylindrical metal tubing opening into a flared bell, the other a long u-shaped piece which the player can slide. Instead of valves, the moveable slide lengthens or shortens the tube to lower or raise the pitch. Additional tubing can be found on some which, by the use of a trigger, alters the pitch to the key of F. The base trombone may have two triggers extending the trombones range further.

History:
The trombone appeared after the mid-15th century, evidently as an advance on the Renaissance slide trumpet, and was possibly first produced by Flemish makers who supplied wind instruments to the court of Burgundy. The first reliable depiction of the instrument occurs just before 1490, in an Italian church painting. It is derived from the Sackbut.Both the Italian and German for trombone are derived from term- for trumpet: Trombone (large trumpet) from the Italian tromba (trumpet), and Posaune from the Buzune, derived in turn from the French buisine (straight trumpet). The etymology of saqueboute whence English 'sackbut', 'sagbut', 'shagbolt' etc.) is not certain but is probably from Old French sacquer. 'to draw out' (e.g. a sword), though a Spanish derivation, sacabuche, 'draw out the innards', has also been suggested..

Technique:
It is played almost horizontally. The slide also makes it possible to play a glissando. Its tone can be rich, brilliant and powerful, depending on the sound required. A mute can be used.

Scoring:
In an orchestra there are generally two tenor trombones and one bass. The music is notated in the tenor clef and bass clef. It is a non-transposing instrument, sounding as written.

 

BARITONE

 

 

Construction:
The baritone, like the trumpet, is a looped length of cylindrical bore metal tubing opening to a flared bell. Much larger than the trumpet but not as large as the Tuba. Three valves are used to lengthen or shorten the tube to create changes of pitch.

History:

Technique:
It is played in a vertical position by blowing through a cup-shaped mouthpiece. The player altering the pressure of the lips on the mouthpiece can also make pitch changes.

Scoring:

 

TUBA

 

Construction:
The tuba is a large instrument of coiled metal tubing with a wide conical bore opening into a large bell. The mouthpiece is cup-shaped and situated near the bell. It has three to five valves or pistons to lengthen or shorten the tubing and so lower or raise the pitch.

History:
The tuba was invented in the nineteenth century and is a successor to the Serpent and the Ophicleide.

Technique:
It is played in a vertical position and is the lowest sounding of the brass instruments. It reinforces the bass line of the orchestra. The tone is heavy and mellow and can be comical at times.

Scoring:
In the orchestra the tuba is located beside the trombones and there is normally only one. The standard tuba is pitched in F and is notated in the bass clef. It is a non-transposing instrument, sounding as written.



What the world says about trumpet and pitch
File transferred by FREE Go FTP