Beginning Band Instruments
Here are some general guidelines we use in making the best selection for a student musician. A few of them are listed below to help you in your selection. Remember, there is NO SUCH THING as a "Girls" or "Boys" instrument!
FLUTE (WOODWIND FAMILY)
The flute plays the highest notes in the woodwind family and is the only one played by blowing across a hole. The earliest flutes were hollow bones used by cavemen. Today's flute is made of silver alloy. The best flute players have a rather flat upper lip with no "tear drop" in the center. Must be rented or purchased from a music company.
Roar by Katy Perry - Flute Cover
Fujii Regrets & Resolutions - Flute Solo
James Galway plays Flight of the Bumblebee
OBOE & BASSOON (WOODWIND FAMILY)
Both the oboe and bassoon have two thin flat pieces of wood sewn together (double reed) that goes into the instrument. The bassoon has a "seat strap" that the player sits upon and only has to balance the instrument rather than hold it up. These double reed instruments are made of either plastic or wood. They have a unique sound and are some of the more challenging instruments in the band. Instruments are provided by the school, but availability is very limited. Must have a good ear for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful. These instruments are not used in high school marching bands, so double reed players routinely perform in the sideline percussion or colorguard sections in high school. Enrollment is limited. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing these instruments are required to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.
CLARINET(WOODWIND FAMILY)
The clarinet has a single, flat piece of wood (reed) attached to a hollow mouthpiece. The instrument itself is made of wood. It has a remarkable range from low to high sounds and from loud to soft. Must be rented or purchased from a music company. Good for those students who did well with the recorder in elementary music. Students who are double-jointed are NOT good candidates for the clarinet.
Super Mario Clarinet Ensemble
Clarinet Candy
Petrenko and NYO Clarinets
SAXOPHONE (WOODWIND FAMILY)
A relatively recent invention (1840) compared to the other instruments, the saxophone combines the single reed of the clarinet and the metal body of the brass instruments. Its mellow sounds blend well with both woodwinds or brasses. The saxophone is an important member of the jazz band. Saxophones must be rented or purchased from a music company. Students who are double jointed are NOT good candidates for saxophone. Enrollment is limited, and we have a lottery system to decide who gets to play this instrument.
TRUMPET(BRASS FAMILY)
The trumpet, with its high-pitched brilliant tone, is the leader of the brass family. A trumpet player can produce all the notes of the scale by pressing the valves and changing the lip vibration speed. The best trumpet players tend to have smaller sized lips, but this is not a rule. The trumpet is an important member of the jazz band. Must be rented /purchased.
FRENCH HORN (BRASS FAMILY)
The French Horn is made from 12-16 feet of brass tubing circled around and around. The tone is very mellow. In addition to using the lips and valves to change the pitch, the player places a hand in the bell to sometimes give a muted effect. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. Must have a good ear for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument are required to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.
TROMBONE(BRASS FAMILY)
This instrument sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but it makes a lower sound. The player changes tones by sliding one tube in and out of the other, rather than by pressing valves. The trombone is an important member of the jazz band. Must be rented or purchased from a music company.
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Trombone Quartet
Virtuoso Trombone Quartet
EUPHONIUM/BARITONE (BRASS FAMILY)
Like a mini-tuba, the euphonium plays the same notes as the trombone, but has a rounder, more mellow sound. Due to its valves, it can play faster passages of music with more smoothness and ease. Instruments are provided by the school, but with limited availability.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Euphonium Quartet
Uptown Funk - Euphonium Loop
The Swan
TUBA (BRASS FAMILY)
The tuba is the largest and the lowest of the band instruments. Its bass voice gives the deep, low tones that are the foundation of the band. When unwound, a tuba is 16 feet long. Instruments are provided by the school, but with limited availability. You do not have to hold it, it sits on the seat of the chair. We have smaller tubas for beginners, as well as some tubas to leave at home for home practice.
Sonic Boom
Melton Tuba Quartet
Tangerine - Tuba Jazz
PERCUSSION
The percussion section of the band keeps the beat, builds excitement and adds color to the band. A percussionist does not just play drums; he/she plays bells, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, triangle, and many other instruments (all school-owned). Each member of the percussion section must work to create the aural illusion of one giant percussion instrument. A 6th grade Percussion Kit must be rented or purchased from a music company. It consists of a Practice Pad, Bells, stand for both, and sticks and mallets. Enrollment is limited, and we have a lottery system to decide who gets to play this instrument. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.
Home Depot Percussion (performed by Liberty HS)
Pachelbel’s Canon
