THE FRENCH HORN

The FRENCH HORN is easily recognized by its circular form and is an ancestor of the 7th century hunting horn. If you were to stretch out the tubing, it would lie 17 feet long. When it is in its usual playing position, the bell is pointed down and away from the listener and is partially closed by the musician's right hand. It is a favorite solo instrument.

THE TRUMPET
The TRUMPET sounds heroic and festive. It is a valved brass instrument, and its tubing measures 6½ feet. It serves as a melody instrument. Modern composers often use mutes with the trumpet, which change the sound. When used in classical music, the trumpets, like the french horns, play in pairs. In modern works, their number is often doubled, sometimes even tripled. The trumpet is very versatile and is used in all types of ensembles.

THE TROMBONE

The TROMBONE is a powerful instrument. Except for the mouthpiece, its design has not changed in the last five centuries. Pitches are changed by moving the position of its slide. Its tubing measures 9 feet in length. The modern trombone is made of brass, chromium, and nickel. There are usually three trombones in the orchestra.

THE TUBA

The TUBA is the lowest pitched brass instrument and has a valve system like the trumpet. Though the tuba exists in a variety of shapes and sizes, it always has 15 or more feet of tubing, and its bell usually opens upward to the ceiling. Although its primary use is to give a "bottom" to the music, the tuba is occasionally used for solos.