Explore Brass with music dictionary guides to trumpets, trombones, horns, tubas, valves, slides, tone, range, and ensemble roles.
A mute is a device placed in or on the bell of a brass instrument to alter its timbre, volume, and resonance. Different mute types produce distinct colors, from the buzzing wah-wah of a Harmon mute to the mellow sound of a straight mute.
The slide is the fundamental mechanism by which a trombone changes pitch, allowing continuous glissandi and precise intonation across its range.
The trombone is a brass wind instrument distinguished by its telescoping slide, allowing continuous pitch variation and a distinctive timbre used across many musical styles.
A valve is a mechanical device fitted to many brass instruments that redirects the airflow through additional tubing, allowing the player to change pitch chromatically. Invented in the early 19th century, valves transformed brass performance, enabling greater technical facility and expanded repertoire.