Brass Instrument Note Range...?

Question

I was looking at my friend's trumpet (I don't play a brass instrument in band, I am a percussionist) and I saw it only has three keys. I know there are 8 notes in an octave (If you count the top note). And I was thinking of all the combinations you could make with those three keys.

1. No keys
2. 1st key only
3. 2nd key only
4. 3rd key only
5. 1st and 2nd key together
6. 2nd and 3rd key together
7. 1st and 3rd key together
8. All 3 keys down

I don't know if I'm just stupid and don't know how to count or there is something I'm missing. How do brass players (trumpet, french horn, tuba, baritone, etc.) play a whole wide range of notes when you're limited to only 8 notes? (One octave) Do you have to move your mouth a special way in order to get higher or lower in an octave above and below the one you are limited to? Seriously, I'm not stupid, I just don't know. I am a percussionist and have never even touched a brass instrument before let alone played it. Can you just help me out and tell me how you play high octaves and low octaves with such a limited amount of notes? Thanks!

Answer 1

"Do you have to move your mouth a special way in order to get higher or lower in an octave above and below the one you are limited to?"



Yes, exactly.



Not a stupid question at all.



Note that those 8 combinations don't correspond one-to-one to the eight notes in each octave - it depends which octave, and some of them are sharps and flats.

Answer 2

The finger combinations are the source of harmonics or overtones which occur on all notes in all instrum ents except electronic. The lips are buzzed like you would if spitting out a bit of fuzz.. the series on a given note would be the octave-the fifth-the third- the octave and on into semi tones and infinity ( Ex: C-C-G-C-E-G etc ) 1-3 and 1-2-3 are of pitch and a 4th valve is added to correct the pitch .This is a compensating model Did you notice that the overtones spell out a c chord ?

To correct the previous reply it is cavalry not calvary.and cornet not coronet.

Answer 3

Imagine just having a plain bugle to create variable tones. Or, the hunter's horn.



Just like for military taps. And calling out the hounds.



And you can open valve a trumpet for the same effects.



(Is that better? Warren?)



In fact, most all the brass instruments incorporate this technique and as all brass players shortly become aware of.



And that is why a mouthpiece is but the first, and most important part, of these instruments.

Answer 4

yes, its all in the mouth. the embouchure has different muscles, and you train those muscles to be able to hit all the different notes. brass playing is nothing like clarinet playing or sax playing where you just hit a register key or simply different keys and you get the note you want.

Answer 5

This really shows what can be done by tightening the lips:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDEwgVSFAWY