r/brass • u/BarefootRoach • 13d ago

which instrument is making this sound?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UnlVZv2rjs&t=208s

i don't know much about brass instruments hence i ask this question. at around 3:27 in the piece (i put a timestamp on the link) the brass section enters. and an instrument or instruments create especially at 3:32 this sort of "fuzzy" or "buzzy" sort of broken up sound which i wouldn't describe as growly, it's like more compressed or i don't know how to describe it. what instrument(s) is it and what do they do to achieve this sound?

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7

u/ibeasdes 13d ago

That sounds like a Trombone section - the buzzy broken up sound you're hearing is the Bass Trombone.

You can hear more of that kind of sound in this cover

2

u/BarefootRoach 13d ago

thank you, indeed that sound is what i'm looking for. and what does the player have to do in order to make that sound?

3

u/bertolous Bass trombone 13d ago

Bass trombone player here - its a combination of the right instrument, a lot of practice and a lot of lung power. You are hearing pedal tones, all brass instruments have them but for some reason they just sound more brutal and visceral on trombones (bass and contrabass especially).

They are not too hard to play for intermediate players, the challenge comes in not tearing the crap out of them and having them take over the ensemble.

1

u/DailyOrg 13d ago

That section doesn’t even sound like pedal notes (listening on iPad speakers, for context tho). More like middle of the bass clef tenor trombones playing with really bright or edgy tones (letting the sound “break up” a bit). Ask players for a “brassy” sound or to play with “edge”. Or just write “fff” on the part, then run away… (also bass trombonist here).

1

u/BarefootRoach 13d ago

i just listened to some pedal notes being played and while it sounds similar, it really is more on the visceral or guttural side as bertolous described. anyway, thank you all for the information.

1

u/ibeasdes 13d ago

This is another good example of that sound. Whoever the Bass Trombone player was at Baylor at this time is a badass.

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u/BarefootRoach 13d ago

wow, i cannot even imagine how this would sound irl. the player was truly a badass.

1

u/BarefootRoach 13d ago

thanks for the answer, you play a very cool instrument. actually i find the entire brass section very intriguing