HART COUNTY SCHOOLS BEGINNING BAND

Introduction to Band Instruments

Mr. JohnsonRevised: 2 August 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Originally made of wood, played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 SoundThe 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 Beginning Band:

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 Beginning Band:

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 Large case size. Trumpet players

can usually switch to this instrument easily.

Brass – Euphonium Made of metal

and uses valves to change the pitch.

Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

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.

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.

Which Instrument Should I Play?

We need a variety of instruments. However…