What kind of metal are brass instruments made of?

Brass instruments are typically constructed of brass, a metal alloy composed largely of copper and zinc, with varying proportions of other metals such as tin, lead, and nickel added to modify the alloy's properties. However, depending on the specific instrument, other materials may also be used, including nickel silver (an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc), gold, or even wood or plastic (in the case of some modern instruments).