Definition

Noun: - The group of musicians within a band or orchestra who play brass instruments. This section typically produces powerful, resonant sounds and often plays fanfares, melodic lines, and harmonic support.

Usage

The term "brass section" is used to collectively refer to the players and their instruments in an ensemble. It specifies a functional division within a larger musical group. - The brass section entered with a bold fanfare. - The composition features a prominent solo for the brass section.

Examples

• The orchestra's brass section includes trumpets, trombones, French horns, and tubas.
• In a big band, the brass section usually consists of trumpets and trombones.
• The conductor asked the brass section to play more softly during the delicate passage.

Advanced Usage

• "To beef up the brass section": To add more brass players or parts to make the sound fuller and louder.
  • For the final movement, the composer decided to beef up the brass section with extra trumpets.

Variants and Related Words

• Brass (noun): Can be used informally as a shorter synonym for "brass section."
  • The brass was too loud during rehearsal.
• Brass player (noun): An individual musician who plays a brass instrument.
  • She is a talented brass player in the city's symphony.

Synonyms

• Horns (informal, especially in jazz or popular music contexts): Often used to refer to the brass section.
  • The horns have a great riff in that song.

Related Phrases

• Brass choir: A smaller, standalone ensemble consisting entirely of brass instruments, not necessarily a section within a larger band.
  • He wrote a piece specifically for brass choir.

Noun

1. the section of a band or orchestra that plays brass instruments