Every instrument has a voice. Explore the sounds and stories of a brass band.
Choose an instrument
Select an instrument to learn more about its role in the band.
INSTRUMENT 1 OF 9
Soprano Cornet
The sparkling voice at the top of the band
The E♭ soprano cornet plays in the highest register of the brass band. Its brilliant, penetrating tone can soar above the full ensemble, adding sparkle, excitement and beautiful high melodies.
Discover a fun fact
The E♭ soprano cornet is smaller and pitched higher than the B♭ cornets played by the main cornet section.
PITCH / FAMILYE♭ soprano cornet · High brass
THE SOUNDBright, brilliant and soaring
The soprano cornet sits above the main cornet section, bringing sparkle to climaxes and a singing upper line to quieter passages.
How does it work?
Its smaller E♭ tubing means its written notes sound higher than those of a B♭ cornet.
What should I listen for?
Try listening for the highest sustained brass line when the whole band plays.
INSTRUMENT 2 OF 9
Cornet
Bright melodies and expressive playing
Cornets often carry the main tune. The section includes solo, repiano, second and third cornets.
Discover a fun fact
A cornet has a more rounded sound than a trumpet.
PITCH / FAMILYB♭ cornet · Melody section
THE SOUNDWarm, brilliant and agile
The cornet section is the main melodic engine of the band. Principal and solo cornets often lead the tune; repiano, second and third cornets add harmony, rhythm and countermelodies.
How does it work?
Although it resembles a trumpet, the cornet has a more compact shape and a typically rounder brass-band tone.
What should I listen for?
Follow the tune in a march: you will often hear it in the cornets.
INSTRUMENT 3 OF 9
Flugelhorn
Warm, mellow solo voice
The flugelhorn produces a velvety tone and is often featured in expressive solos.
Discover a fun fact
Its wider conical tubing contributes to its mellow tone.
PITCH / FAMILYB♭ flugelhorn · Solo voice
THE SOUNDSoft, rounded and velvety
The flugelhorn is often the band’s warmest upper-brass solo voice. It blends beautifully with horns and can give a melody a gentle, reflective quality.
How does it work?
Its wider, more conical bore helps produce a darker tone than the cornet.
What should I listen for?
Listen for a mellow solo that seems to float over the accompaniment.
INSTRUMENT 4 OF 9
Tenor Horn
Rich harmonies in the middle register
The E-flat tenor horn connects the higher cornets with the lower brass.
Discover a fun fact
The tenor horn is central to the traditional British brass band sound.
PITCH / FAMILYE♭ tenor horn · Middle brass
THE SOUNDGentle, golden and blended
Tenor horns link the bright cornets to the deeper baritones and euphoniums. They provide rich inner harmonies and can carry beautifully expressive solos.
How does it work?
The British brass-band tenor horn is different from the instrument sometimes called an alto horn elsewhere.
What should I listen for?
Try hearing the harmony underneath a cornet melody.
INSTRUMENT 5 OF 9
Baritone
Smooth countermelodies and supporting harmonies
The baritone provides flowing lines and supports the ensemble harmony.
Discover a fun fact
The baritone has a narrower bore than the euphonium.
PITCH / FAMILYB♭ baritone horn · Middle-low brass
THE SOUNDClear, rounded and nimble
Baritones support the middle of the band, joining harmonies together and taking flowing countermelodies. Their focused sound can be surprisingly agile.
How does it work?
A baritone generally has a narrower bore than a euphonium, giving it a more compact sound.
What should I listen for?
Listen for moving notes between the tenor horns and the euphoniums.
INSTRUMENT 6 OF 9
Euphonium
A lyrical singing voice of the lower brass
The euphonium is prized for its rich tone and flowing solo melodies.
Discover a fun fact
The name euphonium relates to a pleasing sound.
PITCH / FAMILYB♭ euphonium · Lyrical lower brass
THE SOUNDRich, singing and expressive
The euphonium is one of the great solo voices of the brass band, equally at home in flowing melodies, dramatic passages and supportive harmony.
How does it work?
Its name comes from a word meaning pleasing or sweet-sounding.
What should I listen for?
When a lower-brass instrument sings a long, expressive melody, it may be the euphonium.
INSTRUMENT 7 OF 9
Trombone
Powerful sound, character and the distinctive slide
Tenor and bass trombones add brilliance and depth to the band.
Discover a fun fact
Trombones use a slide rather than valves to change pitch.
PITCH / FAMILYTenor and bass trombones · Slide brass
THE SOUNDBold, clear and powerful
Trombones bring a distinctive edge and weight to the ensemble. Tenor trombones add brilliant chords and melodic lines, while bass trombone anchors the section with depth.
How does it work?
Unlike most brass-band instruments, trombones change notes primarily by moving a slide.
What should I listen for?
Listen for strong, ringing chords or a broad bass trombone line.
INSTRUMENT 8 OF 9
Bass
The deep musical foundation of the band
E-flat and B-flat basses support the harmony and rhythm with a deep, resonant sound.
Discover a fun fact
The B-flat bass is one of the largest brass band instruments.
PITCH / FAMILYE♭ and B♭ basses · Bass foundation
THE SOUNDDeep, resonant and steady
The bass section supplies the musical foundation. E♭ basses add movement and definition, while the larger B♭ basses provide deep weight beneath the whole band.
How does it work?
Brass-band basses are tubas, usually written in treble clef in traditional British brass-band parts.
What should I listen for?
Follow the bass line in a march to feel how it supports the rhythm.
INSTRUMENT 9 OF 9
Percussion
Rhythm, atmosphere and dramatic colour
Percussion includes drums, cymbals, timpani and other instruments for rhythm and colour.
Discover a fun fact
A percussionist may play several instruments in one performance.
PITCH / FAMILYPercussion · Rhythm and colour
THE SOUNDFrom delicate to dramatic
Percussion adds pulse, excitement, texture and atmosphere. Depending on the music, players may use snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, timpani, tuned percussion and more.
How does it work?
One percussionist may move between several instruments during a single performance.
What should I listen for?
Listen for how a cymbal roll or a quiet triangle changes the mood.
1 of 9
We hope to add recordings made or licensed for the band in future, so you can hear each instrument as well as read about it.
DISCOVER THE ENSEMBLE
Where does everyone sit?
Explore a simplified traditional brass-band seating plan. Tap a section to jump straight to its instrument profile. Exact seating varies by band and performance.
TRADITIONAL BRASS BAND SEATING · VIEW FROM ABOVE
Musical Director
Select any chair to discover its instrument. Seating may vary between bands.
FIND YOUR SOUND
Which instrument might suit you?
There is no single right answer. Try a few, discover the sounds you enjoy and speak to a player or teacher before choosing.
All nine instruments are worth exploring — these are just starting points!
Inspired to make music?
We are a friendly brass band in Canterbury, and we would love to hear from you.
