Beginning Band Instrument Selection

Terrace Community Middle SchoolBeginning Band

Introduction to Band Instruments

Mr. CornwellRevised: June 2010

The Four Instrument Families

Woodwind. Originally made of wood, played by

blowing air over a wooden reed or over a tone hole.

Brass. Made of brass, played by blowing air

through the lips causing them to buzz in a cup shaped mouthpiece.

The Four Instrument Families

Percussion. Made of all sorts of materials, played by

hitting, striking, or shaking. String.

Made of wood, played by bowing or plucking strings.

Instrumentation

It is important to have a variety of instruments in band.

The Pyramid of Sound The lower the pitch of

the instrument the more players of that instrument are needed.

Woodwinds – Flute

Made of metal. Sound produced by

blowing air over a tone hole (like a soda pop bottle.).

Held horizontally to the right.

Woodwinds – Flute

Small case size. May also play the

piccolo after three years of study.

Woodwinds – Clarinet

Made of plastic or wood with metal keys.

Sound produced by blowing air over a wooden reed.

Held vertically in front between the legs.

Woodwinds – Clarinet

Medium case size. May also play the

bass clarinet after two years of study.

Woodwinds – Alto & Tenor Saxophone

Made of metal. Sound produced

by blowing air over a wooden reed.

Held with the aid of a neck strap while resting on right thigh.

Woodwinds – Alto & Tenor Saxophone

Large case size. May also play the

baritone saxophone after two years of study.

Woodwinds Not Taught At SCMS:

Piccolo. Oboe.

Double reed instrument. Transfer to oboe from clarinet in high school.

Bassoon. Double reed instrument. Transfer to bassoon from tenor saxophone in

high school.

Woodwinds Not Taught At SCMS: Soprano saxophone.

Used as a solo instrument in high school jazz band. Sopranino clarinet.

Used as a solo instrument in college concert band. Alto clarinet.

Becoming extinct. Used in clarinet choir ensembles. English horn.

Usually played by oboists as a solo instrument in college orchestras.

Brass – Trumpet

Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – Trumpet

Large case size. May also play

euphonium, French horn, or tuba after two years of study.

Brass – Trombone

Made of metal and uses a slide to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – Trombone

Large case size. May also play bass

trombone in high school jazz band.

Brass – French Horn

Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – French Horn

Play trumpet for one year and then switch to French horn.

Large case size. Player needs to

have a good ear for pitch.

Brass – Euphonium

Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – Euphonium

Large case size. Trumpet players

can usually switch to this instrument easily.

SCMS has one euphonium that may be checked out.

Brass – Tuba

Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – Tuba

Large case size. Trumpets players

can usually switch to this instrument easily.

SCMS has one tuba that may be checked out.

Percussion

Students learn on a bell kit which contains a set of bells, a practice pad, mallets, and sticks.

Large case size.

Percussion

Each page of the method book is learned first on bells and then on snare drum (practice pad).

Percussion

Students will also learn snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and other miscellaneous instruments.

Strings –Electric Bass

While not a traditional band instrument, it is still taught in band at SCMS.

Students need to purchase a bass, an amplifier, and a cable.

Strings –Electric Bass

Many students find this instrument difficult to transport since there is a large case for the bass as well as the amplifier.

Which Instrument Should I Play?

We need a variety of instruments. However…