Sketcher.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 380, 20 August 1903, Page 7

Sketcher.

—*— BRASS INSTRUMENTS.! iJ|F<JftPASSING to brass instruments, we 'Jrc** find that the cornet-a-piston, m&* commonly called merely a cornet, is the most important in the military band. Owing to the facilities of the production of its tone, the comet is capable cf greater execution than any other brass instinment, and iB usually allotted to carry the melody and brilliant solo passages. The trumpet, which has been largely replaced by the more easily played cornet, has a powerful and brilliant tone and adds beauty to the brass choir. The flueggelhorn is the contralto voice of the cornet family and is distinguished for its broad singing tone. Of lato years the trombone has become a particularly important instrument in the military band. It is probably the most difficult of ail brass instruments to play, as the intonation of the trombone depends entirely upon the performer. His hands, lips, and brain must work perfectly together, for if the slide be as eighth of an inch out of position the intonation is false. ■ The tenor, alto, and brass trombone are employed in the modern military concert band. The tone of the trombone is vsry broad and dignified, with a eustained singing quality. The euphonium is a eaxhorn, an octave below the cornet and in unison with the trombone. The modern double bell ; euphonium has a double set of valves by which the tone may be shifted from the baritone to the trombone quality at will. The French horn is a valuable and very important instrument in the concert band, as it carries tho harmony. The tone of the French horn is one of the most expressive anl perhaps the most poetic and romantic of all the military bands. Though sometimes used for lively solo?, hunting calls, etc., it is far better adapted tor dreamy and melancholy passage?. The French horn is also an extremely difficult instrument to play. The tuba is the bass instrument of the military band, the tuba being in pitch an octave below the euphonium. Its tone is rich and full, and blends well with the other brass instruments. It has an extensive compass, and can be played with great facility. The tubas doubla in octave with the euphoniums with great effect, performing the same combinations for the brass that the double bass and 'clio do for strings. The 'Sousjphone' i& a BB tuba of modified helicon shape adapted to concert purposes. The modern tuba is an evolution from the serpens, which was a brass bugle. Both of these instruments are now obsolete. i ; , S : . ' ; . The percussion instruments of the military band include the kettledrum or typani, the brass drum, the small drum, the tambourine, triangle, bells, and cymbals. These kettledrums possess one advantage over aU other instruments of thoir class, in that tbey are capable of producing a distinct musical note, while all other drums produce only a noise. Good band instruments are expensive, but as the ambitious student is usually content to start modestly, he came quip himself with a fairly good instrument; at a moderate price. Becoming more skilful in its use. he will replace it by one of the best makes such as the players in great organisations use. ■ He will then find that a cornet will cost anywhere from£l3 to .£26, according to the finißh; slide trombones cost from £9 to £ls ', French horns, from £l7 to £25 ; double bell, euphoniums, from £25 to .£32; BB tubas, from £33 to £43; helicons, from £42 to £52, while a 'Ssusaphone' will coat from £6O to £7O. Saxophones cost from £lB to £2O, according to size; Bb clarinets are £8 to £2O s oboes, £8 to £ls; bassoons, £22 to £27, and flutes, from the commonest quality at 10s. to one made of solid silver at £4O. The usual instruments, such as the alto and brass clarinets and the eorrusophone, are not carried in stock, and must be especially imported, making them somewhat expensive.