Instrument Selection

 

Flute

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 so 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.
 

Other Considerations:  Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.  The flute is one of the harder instruments to start but once that foundation is set it becomes much easier.  

 

Personality: quiet, fancy, studious, gentle, willing to work hard in the beginning 

 

 

Clarinet  

Unlike the oboe, the clarinet uses a "single reed" and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall. Some clarinet students may be chosen to play Bass Clarinet as 7th graders.
 

Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.
 

Other Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs around $17.50 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months.  The clarinet is one of the easier instruments to start on and can be played with braces.  It is much cheaper to purchase and maintain than the saxophone.  

 

Personality: never quits, intelligent, dedicated, disciplined, self-controlled, a quiet, hard worker

 

 

 

 

Saxophone

The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass AND woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone (which uses a single reed like the clarinet) is a very popular instrument like flute.

 

Physical Characteristics: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.
 

Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs around $23.00 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to play Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in class).  The saxophone is one of the least difficult instruments to play which means it can be one of the most competitive sections to get into honor groups such as jazz band and wind ensemble. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a saxophone and can be one of the more expensive instruments to maintain.   

 

Personality: outgoing, jazzy, confident, responsible, competitive

 

 

 

Trumpet

 

The cornet / trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on cornet / trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Cornets have the same amount of tubing but are considerably smaller and easier to hold for 5th graders.  
 

Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a cornet / trumpet player, it is possible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet / trumpet. Cornet / trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.
 

Other Considerations: Cornet / trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose the cornet / trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.  

 

Personality: aggressive, confident, competitive, seeking the spotlight

 

 

 

 

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 hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears 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 underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.  A good brass instrument for those expecting braces.
 

Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.  Because of demand, playing trombone is one of the fastest ways to get into an honor ensemble like jazz band or wind ensemble.  Trombone parts in most music range from average difficulty to easier than average.  

 

Personality: a good musical ear, confident, lots of air, good listener, strong

 

 

 

 

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 a 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 underbite 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. Many students who have tried and failed at the trumpet find the euphonium / baritone a much better fit.  It is much less physical than the trumpet, easier to produce a good sound and the parts are normally easier to master.  

 

Personality: lots of air, independent but a good team player, a good listener

 

 

 

Tuba

While many believe the tuba is the largest instrument in the band and would be hard to physically manage, the tubas we use at Mountain Ridge Middle School are ¾ size and are easier to handle.  Tubas can not be rented and Mountain Ridge has 3 of them currently.  

 

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: The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers. A good Tuba player can drastically improve the sound of a band.  There is very little competition in this section and getting into an honor group is almost guaranteed.  

 

Personality: Unique, independent, strong, lots of air, a good ear

 

 

 

Percussion

 

Just because you are always tapping on things does not mean you are a natural percussionist (drummer). In fact, the percussion section is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. Only students with the highest grades, lowest discipline problems, backgrounds in piano lessons, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills should be considered for percussion.
 

Physical Characteristics: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills
 

Other Considerations: The study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, among many other instruments.

 

Personality: Coordinated, organized, a good listener, independent, self-control