Band Instruments
There are many instrument choices in Band! Students should choose one they like the sound of, that fits their body, and is comfortable to create a sound. If possible, it is recommended students try out instruments at a local music store before making a choice. Please visit the How to Get an Instrument page before making a purchase.
There are many instrument choices in Band! Students should choose one they like the sound of, that fits their body, and is comfortable to create a sound. If possible, it is recommended students try out instruments at a local music store before making a choice. Please visit the How to Get an Instrument page before making a purchase.
Flute
Flute
- Member of Woodwind Family
- Highest Sound in the Band
- Bright Tone Quality
- Played Blowing Across Lip Plate
- Held to the Right Side
- Fingering Difficulty: Medium Hard
Oboe
Oboe
- Private Lessons REQUIRED
- Member of Woodwind Family
- High Sound
- Played Using Double Reed (will need replacing throughout the year)
- Fingering Difficulty: Hard
Clarinet
Clarinet
- Member of Woodwind Family
- Medium High Sound
- Students wanting to play bass clarinet should start the year on soprano
- Mellow Tone Quality
- Uses Reeds (will need to be replenished throughout the year)
- Played in Front of Body
- Fingering Difficulty: Medium
Saxophone
Saxophone
- Private Lessons Strongly Encouraged
- Starting on Clarinet Highly Recommended
- Member of Woodwind Family
- Sizes Appropriate for 6th Grade: Alto, Tenor
- Alto Allowed on the Bus, Tenor is Not
- Very Loud! Very Heavy!
- Uses Reeds (will need to be replenished throughout the year)
- Played to the Right Side of Body
- Fingering Difficulty: Medium
Bassoon
Bassoon
- Private Lessons REQUIRED
- Member of Woodwind Family
- Low Sound
- Mellow Tone Quality
- Played Using Double Reed (will need replacing throughout the year)
- Fingering Difficulty: Hard
Trumpet/Cornet
Trumpet/Cornet
- Member of the Brass Family
- High Sound
- Bright Tone Quality
- Allowed on the Bus
- Cornet Recommended for Smaller Students
- Played by Blowing Through Buzzed Lips
- Fingering Difficulty: Easy
Horn
Horn
- Private Lessons REQUIRED
- Also Known as French Horn
- Member of the Brass Family
- High Range of Sound, from Low to High
- Not Allowed on the Bus
- Starting on Trumpet Recommended
- Played by Blowing Through Buzzed Lips
- Must Have a Good Ear, Difficult to Get Correct Pitches
- Fingering Difficulty: Easy
Trombone
Trombone
- Member of Brass Family
- Medium Low Sound
- Bright Tone Quality
- Not Allowed on Bus
- Played by Blowing Through Buzzed Lips
- Fingering Difficulty: Very Easy, Uses a Slide instead of Fingers to Change Pitches
Baritone/Euphonium
Baritone/Euphonium
- Member of Brass Family
- Medium Low Sound
- Mellow Tone Quality
- Baby Baritone Allowed on the School Bus, Full Size is Not
- Played by Blowing Through Buzzed Lips
- Fingering Difficulty: Easy
- ASD Has Baritones Available to Rent for All Students Interested
Tuba
Tuba
- Private Lessons Highly Encouraged
- Member of Brass Family
- Low, Bass Sound
- Mellow Tone Quality
- Not Allowed on the Bus
- Starting on Baritone Recommended
- Played by Blowing Through Buzzed Lips
- Fingering Difficulty: Easy
- ASD Has Tubas Available to Rent for All Students Interested
Percussion
Percussion
- Preliminary Test REQUIRED
- To Maintain Balance in the Band, Students Must Have Teacher Permission to Play
- Beginners Start on Bells and Drum Pad
- Allowed on the Bus
- Percussion Kits are VERY Heavy
- Other Percussion Instruments Used in 6th Grade: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Triangle, Conga, Bongos, Claves, Maracas, Wind Chimes