The Instruments

Video links of each instrument are coming soon!

FLUTE – The flute is a woodwind instrument. It is the highest sounding instrument of the band and usually plays the melody. 
Balance
:  A good sounding band has several flute players.

CLARINET – The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. It has a wide range (high and low sounds). It it the most important woodwind instrument in the band.
Balance:  A good sounding band has MANY clarinet players.

ALTO SAXOPHONE – The saxophone a woodwind instrument. It has a lower sound and often plays the harmony parts. It is also the loudest sounding woodwind.
Balance:  A good sounding band has some (but not a lot) saxophone players.

TRUMPET – The trumpet is a brass instrument. It is the highest sounding brass instrument and often plays the melody.
Balance:  A good sounding band has MANY trumpet players.

FRENCH HORN – The french horn is a brass instrument. It is a challenging instrument to play and requires a good ear to play well. We encourage students who have a good ear, up for a challenge, and may be willing to take private lessons to play the french horn.  This instrument will require a second fitting.
Balance:  A good sounding band has a few horn players (5-6).
Student Characteristics:  Good student in school, good ear for music (can sing on pitch), hardworking, patient

TROMBONE – The trombone is a brass instrument. It is the only instrument that has a slide instead of key/valves. It plays the bass line in the band
Balance:  A good sounding band has LOTS of trombone players.

BARITONE – The baritone is a brass instrument. It is very similar in sound to the trombone, but uses valves instead of a slide. It is often considered to be a “mini tuba”.
Balance:  A good sounding band has several baritone players.

TUBA – The tuba is a large baritone and is the lowest instrument of the band.  A few select students will be invited to play tuba AFTER the year begins.  If your child wants to play tuba, they should start on baritone.

PERCUSSION (Bells and Snare Pad) – The bells are a percussion instrument. They are similar to a xylophone and uses mallets to make the sound.  The snare pad is a quieter option to learning the snare drum.  Students who choose to play the percussion learn both bells and pad in 6th grade.  During middle school, they will add other percussion instruments (i.e. bass drum, timpani, triangle, cymbals, etc).  Therefore, percussionists eventually learn many instruments, not just one.  This instrument will require a fitting in order to participate. Students that register for percussion but have not had a fitting will be removed from the list.
Balance: A good sounding band has several percussionists
Student Characteristics:  Good coordination, good ear for rhythms (can repeat a rhythmic pattern), hardworking, independent

*Note:   Drum set is NOT taught in band. It needs to be learned in private lessons. Students may have the opportunity to play drum set in high school jazz band.

QUESTIONS?
Nicole Brocke (Tharp) at Nicole_Brocke@hboe.org or 921-6900
Diana Nicklas (Station) at Diana_Nicklas@hboe.org or 921-6801