Brass Band Accessories
Brass Band Articles
Brass Band Arrangements
Brass Bands
Brass Band Books
Brass Band CDs
Brass Band Conductors
Brass Band DVDs
Brass Band stuff on Ebay
Brass Band History
Brass Band Instruments
Brass Band News
Brass Bands on the Radio
Brass Band Shops
Brass Band Tutors
Brass Band Vacancies
Brass Band Websites
Music Software
Sheet Music
Home
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Links
Traditionally instrument cases were designed as a solid, heavy case to protect the instrument. This type of case is particularly suitable for players that transport their instruments frequently or have to pack them somewhere where they may be at risk of being damaged. Recently there has been an increased demand for gig bags and other similar cases. Gig bags are lighter and more practical, and most can be carried with a shoulder strap. They are also available in a range of interesting and trendy colours.
Instrument stands are widely available for cornets and trombones. They provide a place to store and rest the instrument when you are not playing and therefore minimises the risk of it being knocked over or stepped upon.
A lyre is a portable music stand. It is used at times when the player or band are marching or standing up to play outside, for example at Remembrance Day Parade and Christmas Carol playing. Some lyres clip directly on to the instrument; others are designed to be used specifically with the lyre holder on the instrument. Before purchasing a lyre it is worth finding out whether your instrument has a lyre holder or not.
Metronomes are very useful for private practise. The player can ensure they are practising a piece at the tempo indicated. It can also be used during technical exercises, for example, to gradually increase the tempo of a particular passage as technical competence increases.
There are an abundance of different mouthpieces available today. Prices start at around £10 for a cornet mouthpiece. The price increases relative to the size of the instrument you are buying it for and different sizes are available depending on the preference of the player. In general the larger or deeper the mouthpiece, the better it is for playing in the lower register. The shallower it is, the better it is for playing in the higher register. As well as the traditional mouthpieces many are now available in plastic, for players prefer a warmer material on their lips. Plastic ones are also available in a range of trendy colours colours.
Players need music stands to hold their music on in the band room and at home. Prices of music stands start at around £5, and the price generally reflects the quality and sturdiness of the music stand. Conductor's stands are generally bigger and stronger to cope with large scores.
There are two main reasons that a composer/arranger might use a mute. The first is that using a mute changes the tone and type of sound that an instrument produces, and therefore can add interest to a piece. The second reason is to get the instrument to play quieter, perhaps to allow a different instrument with the melody to come through. Practise mutes are used by players to help improve tone quality and breathing, and they make the instrument much quieter so as to not annoy the neighbours! The most common types of mutes available are…
Mutes are commonly used on cornets and trombones, and are becoming more popular on the other brass band instruments.
The silent brass system was designed to enable you to practise anytime and anywhere. It consists of a pickup mute, earphones, adaptor and personal studio. The mute ensures the instrument plays at a fraction of its normal volume. By using the headphones you can hear yourself playing as though you were practising normally, without a mute. You can also play along with your favourite CD, and set it to simulate different acoustics e.g. a church and a concert hall. All without bothering anyone in the next room!
A tuner is a very useful tool. Not only can it help a player ensure they are in tune with the rest of the band, it can also make sure a player's instrument is in tune with itself. Regular practise with a tuner can improve a player's listening and aural skills.
It is important to keep your brass instrument in good working order. From time to time the valves/slides will need re-greasing to stay agile and enable you to play all those scale passages with ease! The main different types of oil are…
© 2005 Trivial Business