Brass Family
Brass instruments produce sound by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece. In an orchestra, this family includes the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba. Brass instruments have a bold and powerful sound, ranging from the brilliant tone of the trumpet to the deep resonance of the tuba.
Trumpet
Timbre: Bright, brilliant, and powerful
Range: F#3 to D6
Transposition: Bâ™ trumpet sounds a major second lower than written
Clef: Treble clef
Trombone
Timbre: Bold, rich, and full
Range: E2 to F5
Transposition: Non-transposing (concert pitch)
Clef: Bass clef, sometimes tenor and alto clef
French horn
Timbre: Mellow, warm, and rich
Range: F#2 to C6
Transposition: F horn sounds a perfect fifth lower than written
Clef: Treble clef, sometimes bass clef
Tuba
Deep, powerful, and resonant
Range: D1 to F4
Transposition: Non-transposing (concert pitch)
Clef: Bass clef