Music Lessons: Tuba & Euphonium

The largest of the brass instruments, the tuba has a conical bore consisting of a gradually widening tube of brass folded round itself to save space. Notes are produced by blowing a “raspberry” with your lips into the cup-shaped mouthpiece and operating three valves with the left hand. The Euphonium, or Baritone as it is also called, is the brass family’s lyrical tenor voice.

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Music Lessons: Trumpet

Trumpets are essentially orchestral instruments, although they are frequently used in jazz bands as well. The Cornet is very similar to the trumpet, but mostly used in brass bands. The cornet has a softer, sweeter sound and is a little more agile, while the trumpet has a hard, bright sound orchestral composers love. You hold the trumpet in front of you with the mouthpiece to your lips and the bell directly forward. Your right hand operates the valves, while the left supports the instrument.

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Music Lessons: Trombone

The trombone, a large relative of the trumpet, has a narrow tube of brass folded in upon itself to conserve space. It is played by blowing a “raspberry” with your lips into the cup-shaped mouthpiece, as well as by moving the slide, which alternately lengthens or shortens the tubing.

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Music Lessons: Saxophone

Saxophones come in several different sizes. The smallest is the soprano saxophone, which is straight. The next size up is the alto saxophone, which has a curved mouthpiece and bell and usually hangs from a sling around the neck. The even larger tenor saxophone is the same, and the baritone saxophone has its tube coiled to reduce its length. Most saxophonists start on the alto saxophone, some on the soprano. Though it’s not a good idea to start on a tenor or baritone, your child can always switch later.

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Oboe

OBOE

The oboe, a member of the woodwind family, is played by blowing directly through a reed. The reed then vibrates to make a sound, with the notes being produced by covering and uncovering holes via a complicated group of keys operated by rods and levers.

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French Horn

FRENCH HORN

The French Horn consists of a very long, narrow tube of brass coiled round on itself. Blowing a “raspberry” with your lips into the cup-shaped mouthpiece makes the sound, which comes out of a flared bell. Your lips vibrate like the reed of a clarinet, and this vibration becomes musical sound as it passes through the bore of the horn.

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