Brass Instruments
Trumpet - Although the trumpet underwent changes during the Renaissance, it has been in existence far longer than that. Used at first for military purposes, studies show that ancient people used materials such as animal horns for similar purposes, for example, to announce danger.
Tuba - The tuba is deep-sounding and is the largest instrument of the brasswind family. Like the trombone, music for the tuba can either be written in the bass or treble clef. Although it doesn't require as much lung-power as the trumpet, the tuba can be difficult to handle due to its size.
French Horn - Horns were used in operas during the 1600's, especially when a hunting scene is included. The main characteristic of a French horn that makes it stand-out is that its bell points backwards. In marching bands the mellophone is a type of French horn used with the bell pointing forward.
Woodwinds
Clarinet - The clarinet has undergone many changes and innovations through the years. From its first inception during the late 1600's to today's clarinet models, this musical instrument has certainly gone a long way. Due to the many improvements it underwent, different types of clarinets were made throughout the years.
Flute - The flute is considered one of the oldest man-made musical instruments. In 1995, archaeologists found in Eastern Europe a flute made of bone that dates back some 43,000 to 80,000 years old.
Saxophone - Saxophones come in a variety of sizes and types; the alto sax, tenor sax and the baritone sax are the most commonly used in marching bands. Considered to be newer than other musical instruments in terms of its music history, the saxophone was invented by Antoine-Joseph (Adolphe) Sax.
Percussion Instruments
Bass Drum - The bass drum is a percussion instrument and is the lowest and largest member of the drum family. Bass drums are used in orchestral music as well as marching bands.
Cymbals - Percussions are music instruments that are either struck, shaken or scraped and may or may not have pitch. Cymbals are a perfect example of a non-pitched percussion instrument. The type that is used in marching bands is called crash cymbals.
Glockenspiel - Musical instruments may either be tuned or untuned. Examples of untuned instruments are cymbals and snare drum while other percussion instruments such as the glockenspiel are tuned.
