9 Lesser-known Facts About Brass Musical Instruments

By Author: victor12johnson
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Brass musical instruments are not new additions to the many families of musical gears. These instruments have been integrally related to the music world for eons in one or the other form.

Earlier, these were played as a part of various ceremonies, including religious gatherings and military campaigns. Brass musical instruments are often dedicated to jazz lovers, marching bands, and above all the music lovers across the world. Here, we have rounded up some interesting, or you may say, some lesser-known facts about brass instruments.

Let us take a look at them:

1. Brass gears are also known as labrosones.

Brass musical gears are also known as labrosones. Do you know what it means? The meaning of labrosones is lip-vibrated musical instruments. Yes, it takes a lot of effort from the player to produce sound by vibrating their lips. The players need to change their pitches by lip-vibration at different speeds into the mouthpiece of the gear. Every musician should protect their brass gears under a suitable Brass Musical Insurance ...
... plan for sure.

2. All that is not brass can also be a brass musical instrument.

You might gawk in surprise to learn that not all brass instruments are carved out of brass. Really? Yes, it is true. Traditional musical instruments, such as shofars and conch shells, are often called brass gears because, in order to play them, you have to vibrate your lips. You may have heard some people calling them natural trumpets. The reason? They do not have valves to ensure control of the pitch.

3. Metal trumpets have their roots in 1500 BCE.

Trumpets made from bronze and silver have been found in the graves of ancient Egyptians. You may also find these instruments back in the history of South America, Asia, and Scandinavia. However, it does not mean that the kings and queens of that time had bands. In those days, trumpets were mainly used for religious and military ceremonies and not for musical purposes, like today.

4. Trombone was often called a sackbut.

During the Renaissance period, people used to refer to the trombone as a sackbut. The name was probably the amalgamation of saquer and bouter. These are French words that mean to draw and to shove. Although different in shape and size from what a trombone actually looks like, sackbuts are believed to be the forerunner of today's trombone.

5. The Beethoven connection

The fifth symphony (in C Minor) of Beethoven was the first piece (orchestral) to play the trombone. Now, you can understand how significant these gears are.

6. The sousaphone is a specially-made tuba that many marching bands use.

It is often difficult to walk with traditional tubas. Therefore, many bands use a specially-made instrument called the sousaphone. This musical instrument fits around the musician's body and is easy to walk with. The name sousaphone came from composer John Philip Sousa's name.

7. Brass musical instruments are popular around the world.

Brass musical instruments make a significant part of world music, both in regard to contemporary and traditional music. So, right from the jazz bands of New Orleans to the age-old symphonies of Europe and the Balkan folk songs to the marching bands of the USA, you will find them everywhere. If you own a brass musical instrument, make sure to buy a comprehensive Brass Musical Insurance without fail.

8. What if you stretch out the tubes of a trumpet?

If you happen to stretch the tubes present in a trumpet, the musical gear will reach a length of 6.5 feet. Unbelievable, right? However, it is a fact.

9. What is the meaning of trombone suicide?

In general practice, a sequence of trombonists stands and bends in line with a drumbeat. It makes the scene look like - the trombone of one player is at the position where the head of a neighbouring player stood a couple of moments ago. Unfortunately, if a player(s) mistakes the timing, they often end up being injured. Therefore, it is known as trombone suicide or head chop.

The final words

Hopefully, you liked the given lesser-known facts about the brass musical instruments. Another thing you should always keep in mind is that if you own brass gear, make sure to get it insured in the first place.