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Instruments of The Beginning Band

The document provides information on the various instruments that make up the woodwind, brass, and percussion families in a beginning band. It describes each instrument's characteristics, including sound quality and the technical skills required to play it. The number of students selected to play each instrument in the beginning band is also listed, ranging from 2 for oboe and bassoon to 25 for clarinet. Most instruments note that private lessons are recommended or required to succeed.

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Cristina Ledford
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44 views

Instruments of The Beginning Band

The document provides information on the various instruments that make up the woodwind, brass, and percussion families in a beginning band. It describes each instrument's characteristics, including sound quality and the technical skills required to play it. The number of students selected to play each instrument in the beginning band is also listed, ranging from 2 for oboe and bassoon to 25 for clarinet. Most instruments note that private lessons are recommended or required to succeed.

Uploaded by

Cristina Ledford
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Instruments of the Beginning Band

The Woodwind Family

Flute—The flute is a challenging instrument and is the highest-pitched instrument in


the beginning band. The flute is made of silver or a silver-plated brass alloy played by
blowing across an opening in one end while fingers press keys to change notes. With
its clear, penetrating sound, the flute often plays the melody in band. Some advanced
flute players will occasionally play the piccolo, which is an even smaller and higher type
of flute. Flute players must be able to blow a lot of air with great control and follow
complex directions easily. There will be about 16 flutes in the Beginning Band. Flute is
highly competitive, and lessons are encouraged.

Oboe—The oboe is a double reed instrument. This means that the player will blow
through two tightly joined cane reeds instead of a mouthpiece to produce a brilliant
and distinct sound. The oboe is a very special instrument, and only a few students will
be chosen to play it. Good oboe players are hardworking and usually independent with
good grades. Good oboists are highly sought by universities and colleges, often
receiving substantial scholarships. About 2 students will be selected to play oboe in
the Beginning Band. Piano background is helpful, and private lessons are a must.

Bassoon—The bassoon is also a double reed instrument. It is the lowest member of


the woodwind family and has a very dignified and majestic sound. The bassoon is a
highly specialized instrument in the band, and only a select few students will be chosen
to play it. Good bassoon players are usually curious and often enjoy puzzles and mind-
bending games. Exceptionally small hands can be problematic for the bassoon. Good
bassoonists are highly sought by universities and colleges, often receiving substantial
scholarships. Only about 2 students will be selected to play bassoon in the Beginning
Band. Piano background is helpful, and private lessons are a must.

Clarinet—The clarinet is the most popular of the woodwind instruments. The clarinet
produces a large, beautiful sound that ranges from very high to very low in pitch. Most
quality clarinets are made of a special wood, called Grenadilla, which only grows in the
savanna of Africa. Some advanced clarinet players will also have the opportunity to
play other types of clarinets, including the bass, contra-alto, and contra-bass clarinets.
This is a very versatile instrument suited for a variety of people. About 25 students will
play clarinet in the Beginning Band.

Alto Saxophone—The saxophone is a woodwind instrument even though it is made of


brass. Most people know the saxophone as they have heard it in jazz or rock music,
but the sound of the saxophone in the concert band is quite different. The
saxophone’s key system is most similar to a flute, but is much more complicated.
Some saxophone players will have the opportunity to play tenor or baritone saxophone
after sixth grade. Saxophone players must have appropriate jaw structure, good
manual dexterity, and excellent control of facial muscles. The saxophone class is
limited to around 8 students in the Beginning Band.
The Brass Family

French Horn—The French Horn is one of the most majestic and versatile instruments in the
band. Recognized by its distinct coiled shape, the horn blends with both brass and woodwind
sounds. It is also one of the most commonly heard instruments in motion picture soundtracks,
and it has the widest range of any brass instrument. Horn players must have a good sense of
pitch. Good horn players are highly sought by universities and colleges, often receiving
substantial scholarships. About 10 students will play French horn. Private lessons are highly
recommended for French horn.

Trumpet—The trumpet is the highest and most popular member of the brass family.
Recognized by its bright, clear sound, the trumpet is frequently used to play the melody. In
addition to the concert band, the trumpet is used in marching band, jazz band, and the
symphony orchestra. Good trumpet players usually have thin, even lips and are often very
outgoing. Up to 20 students will typically play trumpet.

Trombone—Easily recognized by its long slide, the trombone is one of the most powerful
instruments in the band. Playing primarily in the lower range of the band, the trombone is used
both as a melodic and a supporting instrument. Trombones are used in virtually every type of
musical group, including jazz, rock, and marching band as well as the symphony orchestra. Good
trombone players should have a good ear for pitch and arms sufficiently long to reach the lower
slide positions. About 12 students will play trombone.

Euphonium—Sometimes called the baritone horn, the euphonium has one of the richest sounds
in the band. The euphonium plays in the same range as the trombone, but its winding cone-
shaped tube gives it a much darker tone. The euphonium has grown to become one of the most
popular band instruments for solo playing in recent years. We will invite about 8 students to
play euphonium in the Beginning Band.

Tuba—The tuba is the most important instrument in the band. It is the largest and lowest of
the wind instruments, and it produces the fundamental sound upon which all others are built.
Despite its relatively large size, even the smallest student can easily handle the tuba with proper
instruction. Good tuba players are generally intelligent and assertive, with a passion for their
instrument. Tuba players do not have to carry their instruments home every night. Instead, they
keep a tuba at home or practice before or after school in one of our special practice rooms.
Good tuba players are highly sought by universities and colleges, often receiving substantial
scholarships. Only about 8 students will be invited to play tuba in the Beginning Band next year.

Percussion
Percussion—Percussion is one of the most misunderstood sections of the band. Often referred
to as the “drums”, this name is actually a very incomplete description of what is involved in the
beginning percussion class. Percussionists learn to play a number of instruments, including
keyboard instruments like the marimba and xylophone, battery percussion like the cymbals,
snare drum, and bass drums, and accessory percussion instruments like the tambourine and
triangle. Percussionists spend the majority of the beginning percussion year on a marimba and a
practice pad, though percussionists will have opportunities to play on a great many different
instruments. The percussion class is limited to about 12 students in the Beginning Band. Piano
background is helpful, and private lessons are highly encouraged for students to succeed in
percussion.

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