Copper Alloys in Music

Explore how copper alloys are used in musical instruments from brass tubas to cymbals and bells. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is used to make brass section in an orchestra, which includes trumpets, horns and trombones. There is effectively a 'bronze section' in an orchestra too, since bronze is widely used in percussion. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin used for making bells, cymbals and gongs. This type of bronze is called 'bell metal'. Other bronzes are used in piano and guitar strings.