Trumpet
it is the smallest member of the brass family
it has three valves and is cylindrical in shape
valveless trumpets have been around for thousands of years and were originally used for ceremonial purposes
famous trumpeters: Rafael Mendez, Wynton Marsalis, and Jens Lindemann
Piccolo Trumpet
this is a special trumpet that is half the length of the regular trumpet
it is used to play very high, bright notes
it includes a fourth valve to help play some lower notes
famous piccolo trumpeters: Maurice Andre, Erik Schultz, and Fred Mills
French Horn
it is conical in shape which gives it a mellower sound than the other brass instruments
it is played with the right hand inside the bell allowing the player to change the sound by changing his/her hand position
they come with either three or four valves
valveless horns have been around for hundreds of years
used as hunting horns, worn over the shoulder by horse riders
famous french horn players: Phil Farkas, Froydis Ree Werkre, and Barry Tuckwell
Trombone
it is cylindrical in shape and has a moveable slide used to alter the length of tubing
it is capable of creating a powerful, majestic sound
of the modern instruments in the brass family, it is the oldest it was invented about five hundred years ago with very little change ever since
famous trombonists: Arthur Pryor, Christian Lindberg, Alain Trudel, and Joseph Alessi
Tuba
the largest member of the brass family and is conical in shape
it is capable of very deep, resonant tones
it can have up to five valves but the most common ones have only three
it is the newest instrument in the brass family, invented in 1835
famous tubists: Arnold Jacobs, Charles Dallenbach, Patrick Sheridan, and Sam Pilafian