Instruments

	Soprano cornet In Eb, the highest pitched of the brass band instruments. Only one in a standard brass band. It sometimes plays the melody, doubling the solo cornets at a higher octave. It can also play the descant or be used to embellish the melody.
	Cornet Bb, high pitched. Cornets sometimes have a 'trigger', that helps to improve the tuning on certain notes. Solo cornets often play the melody line. There is a 'principal cornet', that is the leader, and normally the most accomplished player of the band. There is normally one rep/repiano cornet in a band. It occupies an independent role- sometimes playing the melody with the solo cornets, sometimes helping out the lower cornets. There are two 2nd cornets and two 3rd cornets. Both mainly have accompanying roles. A typical accompaniment would have the 2nds playing higher in pitch than the 3rds, playing in harmony.
	Flugel horn Bb, high pitched, same pitch as a cornet. The flugel also sometimes has a 'trigger' that helps to improve the tuning on certain notes. The flugel serves as an instrument to blend the conical cornets with the upright tenor horns. It can be found doubling with the front row cornet melody, or playing with the horns. The flugel has a more mellow tone that is particularly suited to soft slow melodies and jazzy solos.
	Tenor horn In Eb. Lower pitched than the cornet. There are normally three horns in a brass band: solo horn, 1st horn and 2nd horn. The solo horn leads the section, with the other two horns offering accompaniment or support.
	Baritone Bb. Lower pitched. Same pitch as a trombone and euphonium. This serves often as an accompanying instrument, but can double a number of the other instruments -particularly horn, euphonium and the trombone. There are two baritones in a standard band, each playing an individual part - 1st baritone and 2nd baritone.
	Euphonium Bb. Lower pitched. Same pitch as a trombone and baritone. Many euphoniums have a '4th valve', that provides the same role as a trigger on a cornet. It is used instead of certain notes to assist with tuning. Newer instruments can have a trigger on the 1st valve slide to assist with tuning. The euphonium has a very mellow tone. It is a versatile instrument with a very varied role. It may play the melody, a counter-melody, an accompaniment with the baritones and trombones, or double the bass line with the basses. There are normally 2 euphonium players who play the same part, although it is common to find some split passages in the music.
	Trombone Bb. Lower pitched. Same pitch as a euphonium and baritone. Uses a slide. The longer the slide, the lower the pitch that can be produced. As with all brass instruments, embouchure also plays a part in obtaining different pitches. The trombone, like the cornet, has a conical bell facing away from the performer and produces a more 'brassy' sound than the upright instruments. Trombones can be used to good effect in louder sections, to add colour and power to the ensemble. There are two tenor trombones in a brass band. They are often employed to play in harmony, with the first player playing higher in pitch. Bass trombone C, the music is written in bass clef. Uses a slide. The longer the slide, the lower the pitch that ca be produced. As with all brass instruments, embouchure also plays a part in obtaining different pitches. There is normally one bass trombone in a brass band. It had two main roles - one is to double the basses playing the bass line and the other is to provide the lower harmony part with the two tenor trombones. They can be used to good effect in louder sections, to add colour and power to the ensemble.
	Eb bass Eb. Lower in pitch than the euphonium. Most basses also have a '4th valve', that provides the same role as a trigger on a cornet. It is used instead of certain notes to assist with tuning. The Eb bass tends to lead the bass section. This involves playing mainly the bass line, but it can have the occasional solo. It is usual to find two Eb bassists in a brass band, who both play the same part. Bb bass In Bb. The lowest pitched of all the brass instruments. Most basses also have a '4th valve', that provides the same role as a trigger on a cornet. It is used instead of certain notes to assist with tuning. Bb basses normally play the bass line in a brass band. Some players will add 'pedal notes' to the music, which is where they will play the note an octave lower to add a real feeling of depth to the music. It is usual to find two Bb bassists in a brass band, who both play the same part.
	Percussion A typical kit consists of: a floor tom, two tom toms, a snare drum, hi hat, crash cymbal and ride cymbal. The drum kit is used to add interest and colour to the music. In certain pieces it plays a very important rhythmic role, for example in arrangements of popular music. Although its role is predominantly an accompanying one, players can have important fills and other solo passages to play. As well as the basic drum kit, the section will use other percussion instruments such as the timpani, the glockenspiel, tambourine etc.