Mankind has
always loved music. Even our oldest ancestors created crude flutes, drums, and
other instruments, as uncovered by archaeologists everywhere around the globe.
Of course, that love and passion for music remains in everyone’s hearts to this
day—it’s just that the materials we use are a little more advanced. A good
example of this is how many instrument manufacturers use brass to create
trumpets and the like.
It shouldn’t be a
wonder why trumpets, tubas, and the like are called “brass instruments”. After
all, a brass tube
is a vital component of the instrument. Although some brass instruments are
made of other types of metal, brass still remains the most popular choice. Why?
Here are some of the why instrument makers love working with brass:
Malleability
Metal is known
for its strength and durability, and this holds true for brass. However, brass
is also one of the more malleable metals around. This allows suppliers, such as
Rotax Metals, to shape and offer brass products in many different shapes and
sizes. At the same time, this makes it easier for many instrument makers to find
specific shapes they require. In the case of an instrument maker that
specializes in brass instruments, they can easily find a brass tube that meets
the necessary dimensions for their design.
Livelier Music
The biggest
reason why brass still reigns supreme in the world of instrument making is
because the metal has a significant impact in the sound the instrument makes.
Instruments that use other metals, like copper, tend to produce a sound that is
“dead”. On the other hand, instruments made from brass tend to produce much
crisper, livelier sounds. It may not seem like much, but to the ears of a
professional, the difference is like night and day.
Important Considerations for Instrument Makers
Whether you are
just including brass instruments to the line-up you offer or you are a backyard
metalwork enthusiast, there are a few things that you should consider carefully
when buying brass to craft a brass instrument.
Metal Ratio
Metal ratio
refers to the amount of copper and zinc found in a bronze tube. Brass comes in
different ratios. Dark brass (significantly more copper than zinc) leads to an
instrument that produces a rounder and heavier sound. Lighter brass, on the
other hand, produces a brighter and lighter sound. As such, darker brass is
better suited for tubas while lighter brass is better used to make trumpets.
Brass Grade
Another factor
you need to consider when purchasing brass would be its gauge or thickness. The
thickness of brass plays a large role in the instrument's ability to project
the sound it creates. Bronze with a heavier gauge creates a heavy sound that
projects well, while a lighter gauge produces a lighter sound with less
projection. Knowing the difference will help your customers know which
instrument works better for their needs.
About Rotax Metals: Rotax Metals has been a leading manufacturer and supplier
of high-quality copper, bronze, and brass products for over 70 years. We work
closely with clients from all industries, as well as independent artists and
metalwork enthusiasts. Rotax Metals happily accepts both bulk and individual
orders.
Sources:
Brass instrument
manufacturing: How metal makes music, thefabricator.com
All About Brass Instruments, fineartsatthebeach.com
No comments:
Post a Comment