Instruments
Brass
Suggested Reading
1. Rehearsal Rooms
Struggling to improve the acoustics in your band room? Check out how the Medan Band did it.
2. Concerned about playing swing music properly?
Check out my guidelines
3. Ear training exercises for bands
Unlike piano players, ear training is essential for wind band performers. But how many band directors bother to give their bands suitable exercises?
4. Intonation problems
While tuning is simple act of adjusting a length of tubing on a wind instrument (often by reference to a single note), intonation is an ongoing process in which a player strives to match the pitch of others in the ensemble during performance.
5. “Blowing” a wind instrument
A common misconception among wind players is to believe that the air moves through the instrument in order to produce the sound. This is simply not true.
6. Conducting – suggestions for home practice
The best way for a conductor to improve is in front of a live ensemble. The unfortunate reality, however, is that this is not always possible. Aspiring conductors therefore have little choice but to find other ways of honing their skills.
Suggested Books, Instruments & Accessories
Introduction
- Details
- Category: Brass
- Published on Sunday, 25 April 2010 15:46
- Written by Bruce Gale
- Hits: 7177
Unlike woodwinds, brass instruments share several fundamental design characteristics, although it is also true to say that each instrument has its own unique attributes. This section concentrates on the these similarities. Those interested in the differences may wish to read The Band Director's Handbook. Ordering details can be found on the home page.
The web pages available here begin with a consideration of a few basic design issues. After that, you can read about how to deal with common embouchure and other faults, and what can be done to overcome them. There is also a discussion about mutes, warm-ups and some advice about care and maintenance.
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