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Band Instrument Selection Considerations

There are many considerations when helping your child select an instrument. The MOST important consideration is your child's interest in a particular instrument. On the other hand, some children are not fully aware of all of the options and might change their minds upon trying something other than their first choice.

Below are some considerations for each instrument. However, for each item listed there can be many exceptions. These are just general guidelines to assist you.

I encourage you to have your child TRY the instrument in the store or after school with Miss Johnson.

To hear many of the instruments, try this site from the New York Philharmonic Kidzone.

(a thank you to Dawn Farmer whose ideas I shamelessly stole in writing this)
 

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.

Flute
Clear tone is produced effortlessly in head joint
Most difficult instrument to start – must be committed to practice
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)
Above average reading skills
Above average memory necessary for different fingering combinations
Strong work habits and high achievement
One of the most competitive instruments in all bands

Oboe
Private lessons needed outside of school for oboe.
Able to produce a sound on the reed alone
Sense of independence
Enjoys some extra attention for extra successes
Good oboe players can easily learn saxophone when they are older.
Above average reading skills or some musical background
Oboe is a more unique instrument so oboe players are always in demand!

Clarinet
Hands big enough to reach nearly all keys
Thumbs are not double jointed (i.e., top joint of thumb cannot bend backwards further than most people)
Good eye-hand coordination
Good clarinet players can easily learn saxophone when they are older.

Saxophone
Hands big enough to reach all keys
The most competitive instrument in bands in general
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

Trumpet
Thin to medium lips
Willingness to put out a bit of 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

French horn
Private lessons needed outside of school for French horn
Thin to medium lips
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!

Trombone
Student’s build/size can be small
Average to thick lips
Trombone players should have a good sense of pitch (can sing on-pitch or have piano background)
Will enjoy being the bass part, the foundation of the band
Trombone is very fun and rewarding but needs dedicated practice (60 minutes per week)

Euphonium (aka baritone or mini-tuba)
A fairly easy instrument to start 
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.

Percussion
“Likes to tap rhythms” is NOT a good reason to play percussion
Needs an exceptional amount of patience and focus
May sit for long periods of time without playing; requires self-discipline
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, not just ‘a drummer’
Sense of dependability and responsibility
MUST exhibit self-control