Getting Started!
Starting band is SO exciting because of all the possibilities and opportunities you'll experience right away! Choosing an instrument is fun because your decision can be based on what YOU like. Some people like the look or sound of a specific instrument or whether it's used in different types of bands. Other kids make their decision based on what their family might already own or have access to. If you already know what you want to play, you can rent and instrument right away (even during summer) and get some great beginning lessons for every instrument on Youtube! Whatever you decide, we'll help you to make your experience as fun and rewarding as possible! In Beginning Band, we offer four choices (if you don't see your favorite instrument listed below, you'll still be able to play it...soon). Here's a great place to help you with your decision:
Trumpet: The trumpet is a musical instrument in the brass family. To play it, one buzzes their lips on the mouthpiece. It has 3 buttons called valves that are used to make different notes. It can play the highest notes in the brass section. If you like the sound and/or look of the trumpet, you may choose to play it in Beginning Band. Your future on the trumpet leads to all styles of music including jazz, classical, marching bands and brass ensembles. If you want to learn it even faster, Mr. Brannman has a list of private teachers you can study with! Our bands have had some amazingly talented trumpet players so if you're interested in the trumpet, this is the time to start!
Trombone: The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments sound is produced when the players buzz their lips on the mouthpiece. The trombone is the only instrument that has a slide instead of buttons. To change notes the players moves the slide to a new position. The trombone supplies the Beginning Band with the lowest notes and is CRUCIAL to the overall band's sound. If you like the sound and/or look of the trombone, you may choose to play it in Beginning Band. Your future on the trombone leads to all styles of music including jazz, classical, marching bands, dixieland combos, trombone "choirs" and brass quintets. If you want to learn the trombone even faster, Mr. Brannman has a list of GREAT local trombone teachers who offer private lessons! Our bands have had some top-notch trombonists so if you'd like to play the trombone, you're in the right place!
Clarinet:
The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. Blowing air into the mouthpiece with a "reed" (small, thin piece of wo
od-like material) attached makes the clarinet's sound. Our bands usually have very large clarinet sections which is great because it's such a warm, pretty sounding instrument. The clarinet has the greatest range (highest and lowest) in the band. Clarinet players are needed in bands, Dixieland Jazz Combos, woodwind ensembles, clarinet ensembles, marching bands and full orchestras. Those wanting to be saxophone players need to play the clarinet in Beginning Band for one year before moving to the saxophone. Bands sound GREAT with large clarinet sections! If you want to learn the clarinet or saxophone at a very advanced level, Mr. Brannman has a list of local teachers who offer private lessons! Our bands have always had dedicated, talented clarinetists so if you're interested in the clarinet then you'll be joining our Clarinet Community!
Flute:
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike other woodwind instruments, a flute is a reedless wind instrument. Instead of using a reed, players blow across a hole on the top similar to making a sound on an empty pop bottle. Flutists are needed in all school bands, marching bands, flute "choirs", full orchestras and woodwind ensembles. Flute players love producing the highest sounds in the band and sometimes play a mini-flute called the piccolo to reach even higher pitches for the band. If you want to take flute lessons from a local professional flute player, Mr. Brannman has a list of teachers who offer private lessons! Our bands have featured award-winning flute players so if the flute seems like the instrument for you then you'll be able to continue our flute section's tradition of excellence!
You might be wondering where all the other instruments of the band are! It's a fun process to find band members who might be good at some of the instruments listed below. We even have wonderful, professional teachers come in to teach some of them! If you're interested in switching to any of these instruments in 6th or 7th grade, just tell Mr. Brannman so you get your chance to try!
bassoon
french horn
percussion (drums)
oboe
saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone sax)
baritone
tuba