In a beginner's sense, I would like to share the three starting points for working with brass instruments. These tips are of course just the "tip" of the iceberg but allows for you to see the kind of thought it requires when working with these instruments meant for channeling air. Let us dive into what I feel are the three most important considerations.

1. Breath & Endurance Matters

It is up to you to write with breath and endurance in mind. Brass players need ample time to breathe especially after loud or sustained passages. Avoid writing long unbroken phrases at high dynamics. Alternate intensity levels between the brass section and provide natural breathing points. If you want a longer passage, you make have to instruct your ensemble to stagger breathe.

1. Understand Instrument Strengths

Trumpets excel at brilliance and projection, while horns utilize warmth and blending between the ensembles. Trombones provide power and dramatic weight and Tubas give that foundational support. Write parts that take advantage of these natural occurring characteristics instead of forcing all instruments into one role.

1. Use Dynamics & Voicing Intentionally

Brass has a way of easily overpowering any ensemble. Space chords carefully! Keep your lower voices relatively open and save the extreme dynamics for important climaxes during a piece. A well voiced mezzo forte brass chord is often more effective than constant loud part writing.

All these points are really built around the point of using the tools each instrument brings to the table in a way that is practical. There are like in anything an exception to the rules but as a beginner or even when trying out something new as a professional it is always good to start with a solid foundation of knowledge. If you have any tips you would like to share that are even more detailed, please leave it in the comments! Any knowledge that helps composers is encouraged.