| Aside from home ornaments and jewelries, you | | | | is called white brass and is usually too brittle to |
| have probably heard the term brass on brass | | | | use. |
| bands. Do you know why a brass band is called a | | | | Calamine brass is a combination of calamine (a |
| "brass band"? | | | | zinc ore) and copper. It is a specialized type of |
| Some people may actually believe that brass | | | | brass because it uses a different type of zinc |
| bands are called as such because the instruments | | | | (calamine) instead of the usual metallic zinc used |
| the musicians use are made of brass. | | | | to create brass. |
| By definition, a brass band is a group of musicians | | | | Another particular type of alpha brass is a brass |
| who plays brass instruments along with percussion | | | | that contains 75% zinc and 25% copper. It is |
| instruments. Brass instruments are technically | | | | called Prince's metal or Prince Rupert's metal |
| defined as instruments whose tones are produced | | | | named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine who was |
| by vibrating the lips through a resonator. | | | | a commander of the Royalist cavalry during the |
| Examples of such brass instruments are the | | | | English civil war. |
| trumpet and the horn. | | | | Brass has been used all through out history in |
| According to music scholars, the term "brass | | | | different fields - may it be in art, or in trade and |
| instruments" is a misnomer. Not all brass | | | | commerce. In ancient times, Romans used brass |
| instruments are made of brass. Some brass | | | | to make coins, decorate their jewelry and to |
| instruments are actually made of wood like the | | | | adorn their armor. |
| cornett. Some other woodwind instruments, on | | | | After the middle ages, the use of brass increased |
| the other hand, are made of brass but are not | | | | as craftsmen incorporated it in making clocks, |
| exactly categorized under the brass instrument | | | | plates, chandeliers and other household items. A |
| family. An example of this brass woodwind | | | | particular town called Dinant (currently called |
| instrument is the saxophone. | | | | Belgium) was the most profuse creators of |
| Therefore, brass bands are not called "brass | | | | brassware during those times. They created large |
| bands" because the instruments the musicians use | | | | brass dishes and exported these wares into the |
| are made of brass. The word "brass" in the term | | | | Netherlands. |
| brass band actually refers to the type of sound | | | | The Islamic East was also known for creating |
| an instrument makes. | | | | brass wares and braziers. Evidences of their |
| But what exactly is "brass"? | | | | craftsmanship can be found in Venice where 15th |
| Brass is an alloy or a combination of copper and | | | | century well-wrought bowls, dishes, and |
| zinc. Usually, brass contains more than fifty | | | | candlesticks were shipped there by Eastern |
| percent of copper but it is generally harder | | | | merchants. |
| compared to copper. It is a malleable and ductile | | | | Brass was also particularly popular in 18th century |
| alloy that can be hammered into leaves or strips | | | | colonial homes in North America. Brass chandeliers |
| and designed according to one's desire. These | | | | made in England and the Netherlands in the 17th |
| characteristics make brass a prevalent option for | | | | century are quite prevalent adornments in these |
| decorating wares. | | | | colonial houses. In addition to this, brass drawers |
| Brass has a yellowish color which makes it look so | | | | incorporated into furniture were considered to be |
| much like gold. Because of this, brass has been | | | | well-liked during that era. |
| used as a cheap substitute for gold and the term | | | | Although brass has survived the time and |
| "brassy" used to refer to denote one being | | | | enjoyed its popularity during those ages, brass is |
| tasteless and showy. | | | | considered as a modern alloy. It was only utilized |
| There are different categories of brass depending | | | | up until the 16th century. In ancient times, people |
| on its zinc and copper ratio. Alpha brasses contain | | | | use the word "brass" as a term to refer to any |
| less than thirty-five percent zinc and are best | | | | alloy mixed with copper. The brass that ancient |
| utilized when they are cold. | | | | people used to refer to was probably bronze, an |
| Alpha-beta brass is 35%-45% zinc and is | | | | alloy of copper and tin. Nowadays, people already |
| commonly used while it is hot. | | | | have a clear distinction between brass and bronze. |
| Beta brasses have 45%-50% zinc content. It can | | | | Aside from being a popular material all through out |
| only be used while hot and is preferred by | | | | history, brass has also undergone different |
| metalworkers to use for casting. Beta brasses | | | | "misrepresentations" when it comes to its name. |
| are also harder and stronger compared to other | | | | But even if it is less regarded than gold, brass has |
| types of brass. | | | | stood the test of time and has proven to be a |
| Brass that contains more than 50% percent zinc | | | | material of high class. |