The Sound of Brass

How were early brass instruments constructed, and of what? If we build copies using historic manufacturing techniques, what impact does this have on their playing characteristics and their sound? And can we measure this?

Factsheet

Situation

Many questions on the materiality and the production technology of historical brass instruments remain unanswered today. This project is intended to use reconstructions of the legendary German trombones of the 19th and early 20th centuries to reacquire the techniques of historical craftsmen. The acousticians of Empa are investigating their influence on the playing characteristics and on the sound. The reconstructions of German orchestral trombones built in the course of this applied research will ultimately be presented in concert.

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure