Band Instrument Selection Considerations
Before deciding on which instrument to have your child commit to playing, you may want to consider other instrument options. The most important factor in choosing an instrument is that your student selects the instrument he/she loves; however, student may prove to be better suited for one instrument over another. The following are some guidelines to consider in choosing an instrument. Please note that these are generalized and that your child’s preference is still the most important guideline of all.
BAND INSTRUMENTS
The band needs more kids to play these instruments:
Euphonium (aka baritone or mini-tuba)
•A big instrument, but comfortable to play because it sits in the child's lap
•A fairly easy instrument to start/blowing into this instrument is relatively easy
•A beautiful, mellow sound
•Always in demand! This is the bass voice of the elementary band.
•Euphonium players can easily switch to tuba if they wish when they are big enough
•Good euphonium players can easily learn trombone when they are older.
•Please note: Most families rent but do not buy a euphonium (or baritone). Contact Miss Johnson if you have questions about renting a euphonium or baritone. Miss Johnson can also suggest a neat cart for transporting this instrument.
Trombone
•Student’s build/size can be small
•Average to thick lips
•Will enjoy being the bass part, the foundation of the band
•Trombone is very fun and rewarding but does require practice (3 days each week ideal, many kids thrive on 2 days per week practicing on trombone)
Oboe
•Private lessons strongly recommended outside of school for oboe.
•Dedicated practice necessary
•Sense of independence
•Enjoys some extra attention for extra successes
•Good oboe players can easily learn saxophone when they are older.
•Oboe is a unique instrument so oboe players are always in demand!
French horn
•Private lessons strongly recommended outside of school for French horn
•Thin to medium lips
•A challenging instrument. Great for kids who embrace challenges.
•Piano background or strong sense of pitch a necessity
•Good reading skills, good math skills help too
•An independent streak, able to figure things out
•One of the more difficult instruments, but one of the most rewarding
•French horn players are always in demand!
Many students choose these popular instruments:
Trumpet
•Thin to medium lips are best.
•Willingness to put out physical effort while playing
•Trumpets are often considered the main instrument in bands.
•Persistence is necessary.
•Perhaps to be avoided if student will be getting braces during first year of playing (contact Miss Johnson if you have questions about this)
Flute
•Ability to create a tone on the flute head joint
•Most difficult instrument to start – must be committed to practice at least three times per week
•Good eye-hand coordination
•Check with teacher if student has a pronounced “Cupid’s bow” (flesh that hangs lower in very center of top lip)
•Strong work habits and high achievement, persistence needed as it will take several months to really get momentum
•Tends to be competitive as children get older
Clarinet
•A popular band instrument
•Relatively easy to start, students often find early success
•Good eye-hand coordination needed
•Good clarinet players can easily learn saxophone when they are older.
Usually, we have an over-abundance of children playing these instruments (If your child has an interest in another instrument, you might encourage them toward that other instrument.)
Saxophone
•Hands big enough to reach all keys
•The most competitive instrument in bands in general. Parents and students should be aware that making Honor Band and upper-level bands in middle school and high school will be considerably more competitive than any other instrument.
•Child willing to take coaching on how to hold instrument and how to create a nice sound
•Fairly easy to learn at first, difficult to get to the advanced playing level
•Competitive issues increased by clarinetists that learn sax in middle school and high school
Percussion
•“Likes to tap rhythms” is NOT a good enough reason to play percussion
•Needs patience and focus. We spend most of 4th grade learning bells (like a mini-xylophone).
• Sense of dependability and responsibility, self-control
• Requires self-discipline as sometimes percussion must sit quietly while instruction is given to the brass and woodwind instruments.
•Outstanding physical coordination
•Previous piano/keyboard experience desirable
•Willing to do double-practice time at home when we start having drum and bell assignments
•Commitment to be a complete percussionist, including bells, drums, and other percussion accessories
•Understanding that we do not teach drum set in school
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