2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

MUS 271 Brass Techniques

An introduction to the fundamentals of playing, teaching, and maintaining brass instruments, including hands-on experience with various instruments and simulated school classroom situations. 

Credits

2

Offered

Spring, alternate years

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. To learn how to play all the common brass instruments (those used in school bands) and how to teach the instruments to other students.
  2. To learn how to properly hold, care for, clean, and maintain the brass instruments.
  3. To know the transposition of each brass instrument and be able to create a musical arrangement/composition for a brass group.
  4. To learn how a brass section of a band should be organized.
  5. To learn the essentials of producing a good tone on each brass instrument and development of vibrato.
  6. To be aware of the different resources for brass instrument literature (lesson books, solos, printed articles, recordings, etc).
  7. How to identify and correct individual problems students may be having as they learn to play brass instruments. (tubercle protrusion, hearing pitch, teeth braces.
  8. How to establish a music department budget.
  9. Perform on one of the Performance Seminar evening.