Spring Creek Middle School Beginning Band Introduction to Band Instruments Mr. Hansen Revised: 18 June 2004

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 Originally made of wood, played by blowing air over a wooden reed or over a tone hole.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 Sound The 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 At SCMS: 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 At SCMS: 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 Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch. Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

Brass – Euphonium Large case size. Trumpet players can usually switch to this instrument easily. SCMS has one euphonium that may be checked out.

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. SCMS has one tuba that may be checked out.

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.

Strings – Electric Bass While not a traditional band instrument, it is still taught in band at SCMS. Students need to purchase a bass, an amplifier, and a cable.

Strings – Electric Bass Many students find this instrument difficult to transport since there is a large case for the bass as well as the amplifier.

Which Instrument Should I Play? We need a variety of instruments. However…