The deformation characteristics of (211)[\bar111] single crystals of α-brass during rolling have been studied. It is shown that when substantial mechanical twinning occurs, the (211)[\bar111]+(255)[5\bar1\bar1] orientation changes gradually into the {111}⟨211⟩ duplex orientation. At this stage of rolling some banded regions with heterogeneous deformation (shear bands) are formed. Although the traces of the shear bands are not in accord with those of the {111} slip planes, macroscopic shearing deformation occurs in the crystal. It was concluded that this deformation behavior would govern the occurrence of the duplex {111}⟨211⟩ orientation. With increasing rolling reduction, the volume fraction of the shear bands tends to increase, and at reductions above about 90%, the greater part of the crystal is occupied by shear bands. The occurrence of the {011}⟨100⟩ and {011}⟨211⟩ orientations in the rolled crystal is ascribed to the development of deformation textures within the regions of shear bands during rolling of higher reductions.