FLUTE The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year, but only a small portion of those wishing to play flute will be selected. Physical Characteristics: Flute players should have a slight frown to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small airstream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air precisely. Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds. Flute Personality - Conscientious CLARINET Unlike the oboe, the clarinet uses a single reed and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Clarinet is a popular instrument each year that many students will get the opportunity to play. Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat, a necessity that can be taught to every student. Other Considerations: Students are responsible for maintaining 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs $26.00. These reeds can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. Clarinet Personality - Focused
TRUMPET The trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes. Other Considerations: Trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation. Trumpet Personality - Confident FRENCH HORN The French Horn is a member of the brass family. The sound of the French Horn is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students and piano players) should consider French Horn. Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. The French Horn s valves are manipulated with the LEFT hand. Horn Personality - Academic Other Considerations: Because of the difficult nature of French Horn notes (mentioned above), students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. This is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups.
TROMBONE Like the French Horn, trombone players should have good musical ears. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and listening skills to tell if they are in the EX- ACT proper location. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students or piano players) should consider Trombone. Physical Characteristics: While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme under bite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average. Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone. This is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. BARITONE (EUPHONIUM) The euphonium (you-phone-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves (like trumpet) instead of a slide (like trombone). Physical Characteristics: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an under bite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity. Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French Horn. Trombone Personality - Analytical Schools provide baritones for students at no cost upon availability. Baritone Personality - Artistic
TUBA The tuba is the largest instrument in the band and the foundation for our band s sound. The tubas we use for beginners are ¾ size and easy to handle so even very petite can succeed on the tuba. Physical Characteristics: Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the student doesn t matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the edge of their chair or across the thighs. Other Considerations: Schools provide tubas for students at no cost upon availability. PERCUSSION The percussion family includes mallet instruments (bells, xylophone, marimba, vibes), accessories (triangle, tambourine, cymbals) and battery instruments (snare drum, bass drum, timpani). Percussionists have to learn two instruments at the same time: the practice pad and the bell kit (drum set is not taught at schools). Because of the amount of organization needed in the percussion section, it is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. Only students with low discipline problems, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be considered for percussion. Tuba Personality - Unique *PIANO EXPERIENCE VERY HELPFUL* Physical Characteristics: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills. IMPORTANT: Students interested in percussion will attend the Instrument Showcase in February to take a skills level test to determine selection. Percussion Personality Coordinated/Organized
Violin The violin is the smallest instrument of the string family and is the most abundant in the orchestra. The violin s small size is what gives the instrument to be heard singing over the other instruments. Physical Characteristics: Violinists are section and solo players that must learn to read the treble clef. The violin is held under the chin over the left shoulder. The left hand fingers the notes and the right hand holds the bow. Most solo playing is performed standing and most section playing is performed from a seated position. Other Considerations: Quality counts when choosing a violin. Make sure you ve been fitted properly by your instructor or music professional. An instrument that is too big or too small may not be fun to play. Violin Viola The viola is the second smallest instrument in the string family. Larger than the violin, the viola is capable of producing deeper, more sonorous sounding passages that add a rich color to the orchestra s sound. Physical Characteristics: Violists are primarily section players and must learn to read the alto clef. The viola is held under the chin over the left shoulder. The left hand fingers the notes and the right hand holds the bow. Most playing is performed from the seated position. Other Considerations: Quality counts when choosing a viola. Make sure you ve been fitted properly by your instructor or music professional. An instrument that is too big or too small may not be fun to play. Violin on left Viola on right
Cello The cello is the second largest instrument in the string family. The body of the cello is about the same size as a person and is capable of performing very rich, low, and deep musical passages. Physical Characteristics: The sitting requirements of the instrument also student to have perfect posture while performing. The scroll of the instrument comes up to the left ear. The left hand fingers the notes and the right hand holds the bow. Cellists need to learn to read bass clef. Other Considerations: Quality counts when choosing a cello. Make sure you ve been fitted properly by your instructor or music professional. An instrument that is too big or too small may not be fun to play. String Bass The largest of the string family is the bass. The size of the bass gives one of the lowest sounds in the orchestra. The big strings and low notes make the bass perfect for laying down the foundation of the harmonic structure and reinforcing the musical lines of the cello. Cello Physical Characteristics: Bass player should have strong hands capable of handling the stress of this huge instrument. The bass is so large bass players sit on stools to match the height of the instrument and counter its weight. The scroll of the instrument comes up to the left ear. The left hand fingers the notes and the right hand holds the bow. Bass players must lean to read the bass clef. IMPORTANT: Quality counts when choosing a string bass. Make sure you ve been fitted properly by your instructor or music professional. An instrument that is too big or too small may not be fun to play. String Bass