What Are Cup Mouth Piece Instruments?
Instruments are classified into different categories including strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Brass instruments differ from others due to the use of cup mouthpieces. Cup mouthpieces consist of the bite, rim, cup, orifice, backbore, shank and the throat. The mouthpiece allows the musician to force air through the instrument, resulting in the production of sound as well as notes.
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Trumpet
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Trumpets are the highest pitched member of the brass family. Available in the key of B-flat and C, trumpets produce notes when the musician forces air through the cup-shaped mouthpiece and presses one of three valves. Variations of the trumpet include the flugelhorn, bugle, bass, cornet and the pocket trumpet.
Trombone
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Trombones evolved from the trumpet during medieval times. Moving the U-shaped slide, combined with forced air, produces notes. Trombones are available in double bass and alto varieties. The mouthpieces used by trombone players are cup-shaped with varying dimensions. Changing the dimensions of the mouthpiece produces notes that resonate less.
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French Horn
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With more than 17 feet of tubing, the French horn combines rotary valves and a cup mouthpiece in order to produce notes. The musician places the hand in the bell, which then produces different resonating sounds. As the hand closes, the note moves to the next note. Opening the hand produces a lower resonating note. French horns are available in the key of F and the key of B. Cup mouthpiece sizes vary depending on the musician and the tone they wish to produce.
Tuba
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The tuba is the largest member of the brass family. Additional instruments in the tuba family include the baritone and the euphonium. Musicians playing the tuba blow air into the instrument through the cup-shaped mouthpiece and press the keys in order to produce notes. A tuba is available in the key of BB-flat, CC, E-flat and F. The shape of the cup determines the tone quality produced by the tuba. A C-shaped cup produces a full and dark sound. The V-shaped cup allows the musician to produce higher resonating notes.
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References
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