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Uses of Brass
by Ottine Matello
http://www.brassbiz.com
What is brass and how is it useful to us? In this text, we
will explain the meaning of the word, along with shedding
some light on the various things that can be made from it.
Hope you find the explanation informative.
All yellow alloys of Copper and Zinc receive the generic
name of "Brass". These alloys usually contain from 3% to
45% of Zinc. Occasionally, small amounts of other elements
(Aluminum, Tin, Lead or Arsenic) are added to upgrade
some of the alloy characteristics. The product obtained is
called "special brass". Brass can be pressed, laminated,
brazed and polished. It has unique characteristics that
make it the best material to manufacture many components,
for it offers great ductility and good resistance along
with its resistance to corrosion. This alloy is used in
many fields, from armaments and ornamentation to condenser
tubes and electric terminals.
Some musical instruments, better known as brass
instruments, like the trumpet, trombone, French horn and
tuba, are manufactured from brass. Such instruments are
ordered according to their timbre. You can use the trumpet
to play different kinds of music, right from a ballad to a
classical piece. The trumpet has a distinguishing sound,
which can be easily characterized both by shrilling
fanfares and melancholic sounds. The trumpet has a typical
shape, with a cup-like mouth, followed by a narrow metallic
tube, and a huge bell at the bottom. One can easily produce
both shrilling sounds as well as low sad tunes in a trumpet
and a French horn, by introducing a mute in the bell using
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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