Abstract
Brass instruments are often considered to be made in families of similar instruments in different sizes, either developed over a period of time (such as trombones) or created together (such as saxhorns and cornophones). Instruments in a family usually have in common some external features and overall appearance, and are often considered to have timbral features in common.
This paper examines the meaning of a 'family' of musical instruments. Based on measurements of a large number of museum examples, parameters are presented which are constant for all sizes of a family of brasswind instruments. Finally, limitations on family range and reasons for one family member being more successful than the others are discussed.
This paper examines the meaning of a 'family' of musical instruments. Based on measurements of a large number of museum examples, parameters are presented which are constant for all sizes of a family of brasswind instruments. Finally, limitations on family range and reasons for one family member being more successful than the others are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Liranimus |
| Editors | Patricia Bastos |
| Place of Publication | Lisbon |
| Pages | 9-19 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Brass instruments; instrument families; scaling