Waunakee Intermediate School Beginning Band Informational Meeting March 3 rd, 2016 WIS Gymnasium 7:30 PM Welcome! We are happy that you are considering beginning a band instrument for your child. This meeting is an important first step for you to get first-hand information about starting your child on a band instrument. Many people ask advice about what instrument is good for their child. This is an individual decision based on many factors. We have established a process that includes information for parent and child, trying out instruments and finally, making a decision. Sixth grade is the entry point for instruction on a band instrument. There is no beginning band in 7 th grade. This meeting provides information about choosing an instrument, deciding to buy or lease, the method book we use, signing-up for summer school, summer lesson schedule, band lessons during the school year, band rehearsal during the school year, taking more than one music elective, our concerts, expectations about practice, and what you can expect after a year of instruction. We are asking you and your child to make a decision on an instrument the student will play for at least a year. We do not want to rush your decision, but we will need to know at our Individual conferences on April 12 th if your child would like to join the band and what instrument your child will play. Our summer lesson schedule and school year schedule are based on music class electives and instrument selected. Friday, March 11 th Wednesday, March 30 th and Thursday, March 31 st Thursday, March 31 st April 4 th May 7 th Tuesday, April 12 th Monday, June 20 th Thursday, July 28 th Important Dates to Know: Course selection forms due Mouthpiece Testing Mouthpiece Testing results sent home On-line Summer School Sign-up Individual Band Conferences Summer School Lessons Begin End of Summer School Concert If you have any questions, please contact: Mr. Jamie Sercombe, 6 th Grade Band Director jamessercombe@waunakee.k12.wi.us 608-849-2191 More information can also be found on the WIS Band website: www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/faculty/jamessercombe/
The Instrument Selection Process Instrument Presentation and Meeting The students have already seen an instrument presentation consisting of a description of the seven choices for beginning band. This presentation covered what their choices are, what the instruments look like, how the instruments work, and what each instrument sounds like. Mouthpiece Testing This is a chance for children to try any or all of their three chosen instruments. Students are excused from class for 10 to 15 minutes on March 30 th or 31 st. Children meet with a band director and talk about instruments they are interested in and then try out those instruments. During this meeting, s/he confers with the band director again about the instrument trial. A written report of this meeting will be sent to parents/guardian along with confirmation of your individual conference time. Students must have turned in their Music Class Selection Letter in order to participate in Mouthpiece Testing. Instrument Selection Conferences On Tuesday, April 12 th you and your child will meet with a music teacher for 10 minutes in the LMTC to make a final selection of an instrument. We will also provide you with information that night about leasing an instrument and obtaining the necessary supplies. Parents will be able to register during the month of April for summer lessons on-line, and the computer lab will be open that night. Summer school fees will be due in May. Please be prepared to give us information to help us schedule summer lessons (such as vacations and camps). Ward-Brodt Music will be available that evening if you wish to lease an instrument from them. Important Information about obtaining an Instrument Do NOT buy anything you CANNOT return (unless you are absolutely sure about the instrument). Consider renting or leasing an instrument for a period of time. The most important thing about ANY instrument is that it functions properly - after that it is practice, practice, and practice. The musician makes the instrument, NOT vice versa. If you are considering a used instrument, please have it checked by an instrument repair technician to determine if any repairs are necessary. Looking at an instrument and having an appraisal completed should be a free service by a music store. If the way an instrument LOOKS is important, take that into consideration. Although this has absolutely nothing to do with how an instrument plays or its quality, if your child quits because the instrument was ugly, none of this will matter anyway. Learn how to play on a student/beginner level instrument first. There is NO musical advantage to learning on an intermediate or pro horn it all boils down to practice, practice, practice. If you can and want to get an intermediate or pro level instrument as a beginner, wonderful! But, you are at NO MUSICAL DISADVANTAGE starting on a PROPERLY FUNCTIONING student-level instrument If the student has the instrument before the first lesson... I know it is very tempting, but please do NOT play the instrument before the first lesson. The instrument can be damaged by putting it together improperly. Students can also start bad embouchure habits by playing incorrectly. How often do instruments need service? It is a good idea to have an instrument serviced each year. However, if one day it just doesn t play the way it used to, or maybe it was dropped, bumped, etc. for whatever reason, take it in for service or have the band director send it in to a repair technician. What supplies do I need to get? A full list of required supplies, including the book, will be handed out at Instrument Conferences in April.
Summer Beginning Band Lessons June 20 July 28 The summer is a great time to start a band instrument. Although children are involved with sports and vacations, they have less to do than during the regular school year. We are very fortunate that Waunakee Community Schools support this beginning band learning experience. Please Note: Intermediate School Summer School will take place at Waunakee High School this summer! Summer school begins on June 20 th and concludes on July 28 th. Beginning band students receive two 60 minute lessons each week for a total of eleven lessons. These lessons are scheduled between 8:00 A.M. and 12:25 P.M. Band lessons are given to 4-8 students in groups of like instruments. Bus transportation is available if you receive this service during the regular school year. Many of our students take other classes as well as band during the summer, but they may take lessons only as well. We arrange a schedule that accommodates the band lessons and the other interests of the children. We do expect band students to practice outside of the lesson times on a regular basis. Our summer lessons conclude with a concert at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 28 th. What do the students learn in the summer? Students will learn the basics of instrument assembly, posture, tone production and instrument care. They will review the musical terms, signs and symbols needed to play their instrument, and review note names and rhythm patterns. This allows us to jump right into playing our instruments from the first days of the school year! Practice, Practice, Practice! Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with practicing! Beginning instrumental students need tons of encouragement. Sometimes you must practice loud to develop good tone. Practice for a set amount of time on a regular basis. Find a comfortable place in which to practice. Musical instrument are not toys. They are very fragile. Do not allow others to handle them. Play the instrument each day to maintain your instrument in good working order. A damaged instrument may not play at all. Play for parents and relatives once you learn some songs. Parents should sit with their students at least once a week while they practice. Have them show you what they are doing. Help them count. Write down the school lesson time and be sure to take the instrument to school. Every instrument has periods in the learning process that will be difficult Keep a supply of reeds, grease, oils, and other accessories needed to make your instrument work properly. Music stands are a great idea and make home practice more productive. Their teachers want them to succeed. Let them know if you have concerns!
About the Band Instruments About the Flute What are the differences between a student/beginner, an intermediate, and a professional flute? The main objective of any student-level instrument is to be inexpensive period. They are real instruments which are the same size, have the same number of keys, function the same, and can last someone a lifetime if playing is a hobby. Intermediate and professional flutes are built for better tone quality and response characteristics. And, they come with features not typically found on student flutes i.e. Low B foot, solid silver parts. Open-hole vs. closed-hole, Low B, solid silver what do I need to know? The most common student flutes you will encounter are silver-plated, closed-hole, low C flutes. These are great flutes to learn on when functioning properly. Typically beginners start on a closed-hole flute. The person who PRACTICES is the one who is going to get better, regardless of open or closed. Which make/model is the best student flute? There is no best. All of the major manufacturers student instruments (i.e. Selmer, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Pearl, Artley, Armstrong, Yamaha, Leblanc (Vito), etc.) are very comparable from both a musical and quality standpoint. Given that they are in equal playing condition, they will all be equally as easy/difficult to learn to play and they will sound very similar. And, given the same circumstances, they will all hold up and last equally as well. How do I care for my flute? Clean out the head joint (the part without keys) with a cloth threaded through the cleaning rod after each playing. Also, GENTLY swab out the main body. Wipe off the key tops and non-key areas of the body, if you like, but don t try to get in between the keys. The risk of damage is too great. You can start that later when you get to know your instrument better. About the Clarinet What are the differences between a student/beginner, an intermediate, and a professional clarinet? The main objective of any student-level instrument is to be inexpensive period. Therefore, the vast majority of student clarinets have plastic bodies. They are real instruments that are the same size, have the same number of keys, function the same, and can last someone a lifetime if playing is a hobby. Intermediate and professional clarinets are built for better tone quality (made of wood) and response characteristics. Plastic vs. wood what do I need to know? A properly functioning student (plastic) clarinet is a great instrument to start on. You are NOT at ANY MUSICAL DISADVANTAGE learning on a plastic as opposed to a wood clarinet. The only way to make ANY clarinet sound beautiful is by practice, practice, practice. Wood clarinet facts In general, the older the clarinet, the better the wood. You do, however, have to be aware of cracking in ANY clarinet. Cracks can be fixed and do not automatically mean the death of a clarinet, but they can be very serious and, take much expertise and time to fix. Which make/model is the best student clarinet? There is no best. All of the major manufacturers student clarinets (i.e. Selmer, Leblanc (Vito),UMI s Artley and Armstrong, Yamaha, Buffet etc.) are very comparable from both a musical and quality standpoint. Given that they are in equal playing condition, they will all be equally as easy/difficult to learn to play and they will sound very similar. And, given the same circumstances, they will all hold up and last equally as well. How do I care for my clarinet? Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week with a mouthpiece brush. Swab out the main body parts with a clarinet swab after each playing. Wipe off the non-key areas of the body, if you like, but don t try to get in between the keys. The risk of damage is too great. You can start that later when you get to know your instrument better. The bridge key can be damaged if the clarinet is forced together. Other than that, handle all parts with care, and try not to drop, bump, jar, sit on, kick, drive over, or juggle it. Do, however, practice, practice, and practice.
About the Saxophone About the Band Instruments (continued) What should you learn to play on soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone? Learn how to play on an alto. The soprano is the hardest of the saxophones to play and the baritone and tenor are cumbersome and more expensive. All the saxophones play basically the same, so you can switch to the others fairly easily. What are the differences between a student/beginner, an intermediate, and a professional saxophone? The main objective of any student-level instrument is to be inexpensive period. They are, however, real saxophones that are the same size, have the same number of keys, function the same, and can last someone a lifetime if playing is a hobby. Intermediate and professional saxophones are built for better tone quality and response characteristics. Which make/model is the best student saxophone? There is no best. All of the major manufacturers student instruments (i.e. Selmer (Buescher), Leblanc (Vito), UMI s Conn and Armstrong, Yamaha etc.) are very comparable from both a musical and quality standpoint. Given that they are in equal playing condition they will all be equally as easy/difficult to learn to play and they will sound very similar. And, given the same circumstances, they will all hold up and last equally as well. How do I care for my saxophone? As a beginner, don t worry too much about cleaning it. Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week with a mouthpiece brush and pull the swab through the instrument after each playing. Wipe off the non-key areas of the body, if you like, but don t try to get in between the keys. The risk of damage is too great. You can start that later when you get to know your instrument better. Other than that, handle all parts with care, and try not to drop, bump, jar, sit on, kick, drive over, or juggle it. Do, however, practice, practice, and practice. About the Trumpet What are the differences between a student/beginner, an intermediate, and a professional trumpet? The main objective of any student-level instrument is to be inexpensive period. They are real instruments that are the same size, have the same number of keys, function the same, and can last someone a lifetime if playing is a hobby. Intermediate and professional trumpets are built for better tone quality and response characteristics, and have some features most student trumpets don t have. What is the difference between a trumpet and a cornet and which is better to learn on? They are both great to learn to play on, given that they are functioning properly. A cornet is slightly shorter in length (same amount of tubing, more bends) and is played exactly like a trumpet. The trumpet, however, is much more common than the cornet. Which make/model is the best student trumpet/cornet? There is no best. All of the major manufacturers student trumpets/cornets (i.e. Selmer s Bach and Bundy (the SAME horn), Leblanc s Holton, UMI s King and Conn, Yamaha, Olds, Reynolds, etc.) are very comparable from both a musical and quality standpoint. Given that they are in equal playing condition, they will all be equally as easy/difficult to learn to play and they will sound very similar. And, given the same circumstances, they will all hold up and last equally as well. Silver vs. brass which is better? Most student trumpets are brass, unless you special order it in silver. The REAL reason why a professional chooses brass or silver (they don t all play silver) is because of the subtle tone quality differences each of these types of plating create. The reason why students typically want silver is because it looks cool. Silver does NOT a better trumpet make. How do I care for my trumpet? Clean the mouthpiece every couple weeks (scrub it out with a mouthpiece brush). Gently wipe off the body with a soft, non-scratchy cloth (any household cloth will do). You will need to give it a complete bath, but don t worry about that now. The risk of damage is too great. You can start that later when you get to know your instrument better. Other than that, handle all parts with care, and try not to drop, bump, jar, sit on, kick, drive over, or juggle it. Do, however, practice. practice, and practice.
About the Trombone About the Band Instruments (continued) What are the differences between a student/beginner, an intermediate, and a professional trombone? The main objective of any student-level instrument is to be inexpensive period. They are real instruments that are the same size, function the same, and can last someone a lifetime if playing is a hobby. Intermediate and professional trombones are built for better tone quality and response characteristics. What is an F attachment (F trigger) and does a beginner need one? This is an extra rotor valve that is operated by the thumb. It redirects the air stream through an extra length of tubing and, as its name implies, puts the trombone into the key of F (it is usually in C). A beginner absolutely DOES NOT need this feature, and if the instrument does have this, it will typically NOT be used for a couple of years. Some professional players have trombones with the F trigger, and others don t. It boils down to the chair they are playing (1 st and 2 nd chairs typically don t, while 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th typically do) and personal preference. Which make/model is the best student trombone? There is no best. All of the major manufacturers student trombones (i.e. Selmer s Bach and Bundy (the SAME horn), Leblanc s Holton, UMI s King and Conn, Yamaha, Olds, Reynolds, etc.) are very comparable from both a musical and quality standpoint. Given that they are in equal playing condition, they will all be equally as easy/difficult to learn to play and they will sound very similar. And, given the same circumstances, they will all hold up and last equally as well. How do I care for my trombone? As a beginner, don t worry too much about cleaning it. Clean the mouthpiece every couple of weeks (scrub it out with a mouthpiece brush). Gently wipe off the body with a soft, non-scratchy cloth (any household cloth will do). You will need to give it a complete bath, but don t worry about that now. The risk of damage is too great. You can start that later when you get to know your instrument better. Other than that, handle all parts with care, and try not to drop, bump, jar, sit on, kick, drive over, or juggle it. Do, however, practice, practice, and practice. About the Baritone What do I need in order to play baritone? Baritones are rented from the school at a rate of $100 for the school year. Students purchase their own book, plastic mouthpiece and maintenance supplies. Baritones are quite difficult for students to transport on a daily basis. Baritone students have a baritone they keep at home and one that stays at school. How do I care for my baritone? Clean the mouthpiece every couple of weeks (scrub it out with a mouthpiece brush). Gently wipe off the body with a soft, non-scratchy cloth (any household cloth will do). Other than that, handle all parts with care, and try not to drop, bump, jar, sit on, kick, drive over, or juggle it. Do, however, practice, practice, and practice. About Percussion What instruments are involved with playing percussion? Percussionists use school instruments while playing at school, and there is a yearly percussion usage fee of $50. For keyboard percussion, students play on school marimbas which are far too large to have at home. They also will play on snare drum, bass drum and timpani, as well as auxiliary percussion instruments such as cymbals, triangle, tambourine, maracas and claves. Instruction will primarily be on keyboard percussion instruments during the summer and during the 1st quarter of the school year. There is no school instruction on drum set in 6 th grade. What does my student need for home practice? Students playing Percussion need to lease or purchase a Percussion Kit that contains a practice pad and practice bells. A home piano or keyboard is not a sufficient practice instrument. Students are expected to furnish their own drum sticks, marimba mallets and stick bag for school use. Specific supply information will be available at the Instrument Conferences in April.