Brass instrument valves are valves used to change the length of tubing of a brass instrument allowing the player to reach the notes of various harmonic series. Each valve pressed diverts the air stream through additional tubing, individually or in conjunction with other valves. This lengthens the vibrating air column thus lowering the fundamental tone and associated harmonic series produced by the instrument.
Valves in brass instruments require regular maintenance and lubrication to ensure fast and reliable movement.
Brass instrument piston valves
Vienna horn, with three Vienna valves actuated by key rods
Image: Rotary valve on tenor trombone
Image: Axial flow valve on tenor trombone
A brass instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips. Brass instruments are also called labrosones or labrophones, from Latin and Greek elements meaning 'lip' and 'sound'.
Six high brass instruments Left, from top: A reproduction baroque trumpet in D, a modern trumpet in B♭, a modern trumpet in D, a piccolo trumpet in B♭ (octave higher), and a flugelhorn in B♭. Right: a cornet in B♭.
A tenor horn (alto horn) in E♭, baritone horn in B♭, and euphonium in B♭
Brass instrument piston valves
Flugelhorn with three pistons and a trigger
