Does a brass-instrument’s timbre depend on the alloy from which it is made?

Abstract

Most brass players with a few years experience would give an affirmative answer to the question posed in the title. In the past, audible differences have proven elusive when pursued through spectral analysis of sustained tones, perhaps because the right question was not asked. This talk will examine several attributes of trombone spectra. The trombone used has a “modular construction” so that different bells can easily be installed on an otherwise unchanged instrument. A clear difference, consistent with the player’s and listener’s perception of the tone quality, emerges between yellow brass (70% Cu, 30% Zn) and red brass (90% Cu, 10% Zn). Transient behavior, particularly during the attack, is at least as important to the performer as sustained sounds. Here, too, differences are attributed to the alloy. Yellow brass is characterized by “crisp” attacks, red brass by “rounded” attacks. This talk will also analyze attack transients, even though attacks that are perceived as similar appear quite variable when examined in detail.