Question

In most modern wind instruments the pitch is changed by

using keys or valves to change the length of the vibrating air column.

The bugle, however, has no valves or keys, yet it can play many notes. How might this be possible? Are there restrictions on what notes a bugle can play?

Short answer

The number of notes is played as it is controlled by the fiscal muscle, there is restriction on the number of notes that can be played as it depending of the length of the column.

Step-by-step solution

Write the given data:

There are no values or keys on the bugle and the bugle can play many notes.

Determine the concept

Consider the formula for the wavelength in terms of the frequency and the speed of wave as:

$\mathit{\lambda }\mathbf{=}\frac{{\mathbf{V}}_{\mathbf{s}}}{\mathbf{f}}$

Determine the reason for the given condition and determine if there are restrictions on what notes the bugle can play.

Note the pitch of the bugle is controlled by the player’s embouchure, while the shaping of the lips and the fiscal muscle. It is to be noted that the bugle do not use the valve or the key to change length of its air column. The length of the column is fixed which causes the bugle to restrict the number of notes that it can play, hence the normal notes that falls under the mode frequencies can be played, depending on its length.

Therefore, the number of notes is played as it is controlled by the fiscal muscle, there is restriction on the number of notes that can be played as it depending of the length of the column.