The word trombone derives from Italian tromba (trumpet) and -one (a suffix meaning "large"), so the name literally means "large trumpet". Trombones and trumpets share the important characteristic of having predominantly cylindrical bores. Therefore, the most frequently encountered trombones - the tenor and bass trombone - are the tenor and bass counterparts of the trumpet.
The cornet is very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality.
The German word Flügel translates into English as "wing" or "flank". The instrument was used on the battlefield to summon the flanks of an army. It is built in the same Bb pitch as many trumpets and cornets.
The tenor horn is a valved brass instrument (in E flat) which has a predominately conical bore like the euphonium and flugelhorn. It uses a deep funnel or cup-shaped mouthpiece. The tenor horn's conical bore and deep mouthpiece produce a mellow, rounded tone which is often used as a middle voice, supporting the melodies of the cornets or flugelhorns and filling the gap above the lower tenor and bass instruments (the trombone, baritone horn, euphonium and tuba). Its valves are typically, though not exclusively, piston valves.
The baritone horn is a popular low brass instrument used in many marching bands, concert bands and orchestras. In shape, it resembles a tuba. The musical range of the baritone is from approximately E on the line below the bass clef staff to the C above the treble clef staff.
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by any other action which sets the object into vibration. The term usually applies to an object used in a rhythmic context or with musical intent.
The word "percussion" has evolved from Latin terms: "percussio" (which translates as "to beat, strike" in the musical sense, rather than the violent action), and "percussus" (which is a noun meaning "a beating").
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced" (eu means "well" or "good" and phonos means "of sound", so "of good sound"). The euphonium is a valved instrument; nearly all current models are piston valved, though rotary valved models do exist.
The tuba is the largest and lowest pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the ophicleide. Tuba is Latin for trumpet or horn.
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