EPSD INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM INFO VIDEOS

Which Instrument Do I Choose?

As you saw in the video above, there are 4 string instruments to choose from and 8 band instruments. Which one you pick depends on what sound you like: whether you like high sounds or low sounds or in-between; whether you are willing and able to carry a large instrument or if you want to stick with something small; whether you like playing the melody or prefer harmony and supporting parts; and which instrument you like the sound of the best. If you need reminding, here they are again:

Orchestra Instruments are available in many sizes so that even the smallest student can choose cello (or eventually a bass). Due to the size, most busses do not allow you to ride with a `cello, so check with your bus driver prior to selecting.  If your bus driver says no, plan on transporting the `cello to and from school on lesson days. 

Here are the string instruments:

• VIOLIN: This is the most widely recognized orchestra instrument and has the highest voice in the string family.

• VIOLA: It looks and is played like a violin, but the viola is a bit bigger (in adult sizes) and has a lower, more mellow sound. It is the alto voice of the string family.

• `CELLO: This instrument rests on the floor on its endpin while the player steadies it with his/her knees. It is the tenor voice of the family.

• STRING BASS: The string bass is the lowest (and largest) instrument in the orchestra.  Similar to the `cello, the string bass (also know as the upright bass) rests on the floor on its endpin, however the player supports the instrument by standing.  Basses are available through the school as long as parents are able to transport the instrument.  Bass players may also rent an instrument for home use and keep the school instrument at school.

Band instruments are each unique to its own function in the  ensemble, in size, shape, and sound. Larger instruments may not be allowed to ride on busses, so check with your bus driver prior to selecting the french horn, trombone, baritone, or bells.  If your bus driver says no, plan on transporting the instrument to and from school on lesson days. 

Brass: These instruments are played by buzzing your lips into a metal mouthpiece while changing valves or slides to make the different pitches. The instruments available in the Brass family are: 

• TRUMPET:  This instrument is the smallest of the brass family, and plays the highest sounds.  Requires strong, fast air and a tighter lip position.  Trumpets stand out in the ensemble, so be prepared to be heard.  It is held in front of the body, and changes pitches with different combinations of valves and air speed/lip tension.

• FRENCH HORN: This instrument is on the larger side.  It requires a good ear and sense of pitch.  As the middle voice of the brass family you get to play a variety of parts, melody, harmony, support and bass.  Its held on your lap and you change notes with different combinations of valves and air speed/lip tension.

• TROMBONE:  This instrument is larger but is light for its size.  It has a slide instead of valves and players change pitches by changing the slide position, which changes the actual length of the instrument.  Trombone is a bass voice of the elementary band, so it's perfect for those students who like a good bass line in their music.  It needs strong, fast air but less pressure and lip tension to produce a good sound.

• BARITONE:  Don't let the size of this instrument scare you away.  It may look big, but is very light for its size as its mostly hollow.  Baritone is a bass voice of the elementary band.  Students who are interested in Tuba usually start here.  It needs strong, fast air but less pressure and lip tension to produce a good sound.  It uses Valves like the trumpet to change its pitch

***a limited number of French Horn, Trombone and Baritone instruments are available through the school for student use as long as parents are able to transport the instrument.  Large brass families may also rent an instrument for home use and keep the school instrument at school.

Woodwind: Each of the instruments in the Woodwind family (except the Flute) have a reed that is attached to a mouthpiece which vibrates when you blow into the instrument. The player presses keys down on the instrument to change the pitches. The instruments in the Woodwind family are: 

• FLUTE:  Flute is the smallest and highest of the woodwind family, and it is a quieter instrument.   It is held out to the side of the body and supported by the arm muscles.  Flautists produce sounds by blowing fast air over a hole in the top of the instrument, and change pitches by pressing down different combinations of keys on the body.

• CLARINET:  Clarinet has a large range of sounds, but mostly is a middle-range instrument in the elementary school.  It is held out in front of the body, and fingers cover different combinations of rings and holes to produce different sounds.  Clarinet produces sounds by the reed vibrating against the mouthpiece while a small part of the mouthpiece/reed is in the player's mouth.  It requires fast, warm air and a good lip seal around the mouthpiece to produce a good tone.

• ALTO SAXOPHONE: Alto saxophone is the starting saxophone. It's part of a larger family of saxophone that range from high to low sounds.  In the elementary band it holds the middle voice, with an occasional trip to bass lines.   It is held out in front of the body, and fingers cover different combinations of key to produce different sounds.  Like clarinet, a saxophone produces sounds by the reed vibrating against the mouthpiece while a small part of the mouthpiece/reed is in the player's mouth.  It requires fast, warm air and a good lip seal around the mouthpiece to produce a good tone.

Percussion: Percussion instruments make a sound by striking one thing against another to produce a sound. Percussion students will learn bells. Students choosing Percussion will need to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of steady beat and counting before being approved to participate on percussion. These skills are taught and reviewed thoroughly in music class, so all students have experienced this.  The instruments in the Percussion family taught in our program are:

• BELLS:  Bells are set up like a small version of the piano, with upper and lower bars set up like the white and black keys on the piano.  The bells produce sounds by gently hitting the bars using a mallet held in each hand.  Like drummers/battery percussionists, bell players typically stand, and alternate their mallets to create consistent sounds with a steady beat.

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