Humour in Popular Brass Music

Abstract

This article examines the function of humour in popular brass music, with a particular focus on its emergence in German-speaking countries. The growing popularity of brass music festivals and the stylistic diversity of contemporary brass ensembles, which integrate traditional brass repertoire with contemporary genres such as pop, rock, jazz and funk, are key elements in this discourse. The role of humour as a creative and performative means is explored through the work of popular brass bands such as Mnozil Brass, da Blechhauf’n and BlechReiz, whose use of comedic elements serves to enhance audience engagement and facilitate artistic expression. The analysis emphasizes the use of techniques such as the subversion of musical expectations, the exaggeration of clichés and the integration of intertextual references. These humorous strategies function as a link between tradition and modernity, making brass music more accessible to a diverse demographic. The findings highlight that humour in brass music is not merely for entertainment but serves as a sophisticated stylistic tool that invites cognitive reflection and cultural engagement. Combining classical, traditional and popular elements, humour plays an important role in the popularization and development of the brass music genre, thereby contributing to its wide appeal and cultural relevance.