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.

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

  • Private Lessons REQUIRED
  • Member of Woodwind Family
  • High Sound
  • Played Using Double Reed (will need replacing throughout the year)
  • Fingering Difficulty: Hard

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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