Sound Is Made by Buzzing the Lips
Brass instruments all share a common trait: the player buzzes their lips against the mouthpiece to produce sound, with no reed involved. The longer the tubing, the lower the pitch, and pitch is adjusted using valves or a slide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the trombone use a slide instead of valves?
It preserves the traditional design the instrument had when it was first created, and the slide mechanism has the advantage of allowing very fine, smooth pitch adjustment.
Does playing the tuba require a lot of lung capacity?
Yes β producing the biggest, lowest notes requires a lot of air, so it demands relatively strong lung capacity and breath control.