Part III
Historical Evolution and Taxonomy of
Brass Instruments
In Part III we draw on some of the techniques discussed in the previous chapters
to explore the diversity of brass instruments from the smallest to the largest, giving
reasons why they sound different and illustrating members of the families which
have made important contributions to music making. In Chap. 7 we look at instruments from the last 500 years, giving examples of typical bore profiles, and also at
typical mouthpieces. Chapter 8 outlines some of the technical processes employed
in making brass instruments. In conclusion, Chap. 9 presents brief glimpses of two
very different fields of brass instrument research in which scientists and musicians
are collaborating. In Sect. 9.1 we look at studies aimed at reconstructing playable
examples of instruments from the ancient world. In Sect. 9.2 we hint at possible
avenues for exploitation of digital technology in improving existing instruments and
inventing new ones.
Historical Evolution and Taxonomy of
Brass Instruments
In Part III we draw on some of the techniques discussed in the previous chapters
to explore the diversity of brass instruments from the smallest to the largest, giving
reasons why they sound different and illustrating members of the families which
have made important contributions to music making. In Chap. 7 we look at instruments from the last 500 years, giving examples of typical bore profiles, and also at
typical mouthpieces. Chapter 8 outlines some of the technical processes employed
in making brass instruments. In conclusion, Chap. 9 presents brief glimpses of two
very different fields of brass instrument research in which scientists and musicians
are collaborating. In Sect. 9.1 we look at studies aimed at reconstructing playable
examples of instruments from the ancient world. In Sect. 9.2 we hint at possible
avenues for exploitation of digital technology in improving existing instruments and
inventing new ones.