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Copper and zinc = Brass
by Ottine Matello
http://www.brassbiz.com
Almost everyone knows what brass is, but in case you do
not know, here we have a brief explanation of what brass
is and some of the things that can be made out if it, such
as, for example, musical instruments. Hope you find it
interesting.
Brass is nothing but a name given to all kinds of yellowish
alloys of Copper and Zinc. The proportion of Zinc in such
alloys is approximately 3 per cent to 4 per cent. In order
to upgrade the characteristics of alloys, minimal
quantities of other elements, like Aluminum, Tin, or Lead,
are occasionally added to them. And, this new product is
known as 'special brass'. Due to its unique
characteristics, like easy ductility and resistance to
corrosion, brass is considered to be the best material for
the manufacturing of different objects. Brass can be easily
pressed, brazed, polished, etc., and due to these
characteristics, it finds its use in areas like the making
of armaments, condenser tubes, etc.
This material is also used to manufacture musical
instruments, the so-called brass instruments. This type of
instruments includes the trumpet, the trombone, the
French horn and the tuba, which are ordered according to
its timbre. The trumpet is used to play any kind of music,
from ballads to classic pieces. The particular sound of
this instrument is characterized by both strident fanfares
and melancholic sounds. This sound is obtained due to its
typical shape: the cup-like mouthpiece, the narrow
metallic tube and the large bell. In both the trumpet and
the French horn a mute can be introduced into the bell of
the instrument in order to diminish its sound or to
produce rough and strident sounds by a strong blow.
The tuba is a brass wind instrument with a low pitch. It
has a big metallic tube, which is doubled or twisted from
the mouthpiece to the big open bell. Belonging to the same
family as the euphonium, the tuba has the deepest timbre
among all brass instruments. Actually, the tuba is a huge
bugle in a vertical position. In spite of its huge size and
deep sound it is possible to play fast notes and smooth
light tunes on it.
The tuba is a part of military bands and orchestra. It has
not undergone many changes over the years. However, in the
20th century the sousaphone has been made, which is a
modified version of the tuba. The French horn made of brass
is a circle-shaped instrument with a big bell. You can
distinguish its rich velvety sound in bands and orchestras.
Earlier couples used to play the horn in orchestras to
produce the sound similar to that of the hunting horn. But
now all kinds of music include it.
The trombone is another instrument that has managed to
survive, despite the many alterations faced by it. It is
generally used in bands, whereas symphony orchestras and
Jazz use a variant of the trombone, which is made up of
high quality metal and has exactly proportionate parts. The
brass used in such an instrument is known for providing an
ideal and beautiful quality of sound.
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