Brass Instrument Sound Production

Different notes are produced on brass instruments by causing the air to travel different distances before escaping through the bell of the instrument. There are several different ways to cause the air to travel the extra distance. Valves and slides are very common in brass instruments. When valves are pushed down (or slides are moved out) this causes the air to travel a longer distance. The other way brass players can change notes is by changing the firmness of their lips. To play low notes on a brass instrument the lips must be relatively relaxed, and for high notes they must be much firmer.

Brass instruments are tuned using a tuning slide. This piece of tubing can be pulled out or pushed in to control the base tuning of the instrument. Then the valves and slides can be used to produce the individual notes.

Brass instruments also make use of mutes. These devices are inserted into the bell of the instrument and alter the sound. It makes the sound less bright and intrusive. It mellows out the typical brass instrument sound.