Instrument Choices
Updated March 22, 2024
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High, soft sound
Plays the melody
Small case, fits is your backpack
Supplies: Hanky Swab, Cleaning Rod
Brands: Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Yamaha, Selmer
Things to Consider: small case/easy to carry, high sounds, quieter sound
Medium, soft sound
Plays a variety of melody and non-melody
Easy switch from the Recorder
Supplies: Hanky Swab, Cork Grease, Box of 10 reeds - Rico 2 ½
Brands: Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer, Yamaha, Vito, Jupiter
Things to Consider: small case/easy to carry, mellow sounds, quieter sound
Medium, loud sound
Plays in jazz band, too
Uses a neck strap, because it's heavy
Supplies: Hanky Swab, Cork Grease, Box of 10 reeds - Rico 2 ½
Brands: Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter, Conn-Selmer
Things to Consider: heavier case, uses a neck strap, plays in Jazz Band
Brass
High, loud sound
Plays in jazz band, too
Plays melody 100% of the time
Supplies: Valve Oil, Mouthpiece Brush, Cleaning Snake
Brands: Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, Conn, Holton
Things to Consider: small case/easy to carry, plays melody, louder sound, plays in Jazz Band
Low, loud sound
Plays in jazz band, too
You can moved the slide in and out to make a special sound
Supplies: Slide cream, Spray Bottle, Mouthpiece Brush, Cleaning Snake
Brands: Bach, Yamaha, King
Things to Consider: large case, plays low sounds, louder sound, play in Jazz Band
Low, loud sound
Plays in jazz band, too.
Also called the "Baritone" (but not Tuba, tuba is bigger)
Supplies: Valve Oil, Mouthpiece Brush, Cleaning Snake
Brands: Yamaha, Bach
Things to Consider: very large case, plays low sounds, louder sound, play in Jazz Band
Percussion
Both loud and soft sound
Glockenspiel/Bell kit
Practice pad/snare drum
Also will learn cymbals, timpani, triangle, and tambourine in 5th grade
Supplies: (if not in kit) SD 1 Drumsticks, Mallets
Brands: Pearl, Vic Firth, Yamaha
Things to Consider: rolling case/may be challenge on bus, learn multiple instruments (drums and bells), stands in the back, don't have to use mouth
What about Oboe, Bass Clarinet, other Saxophones, French horn, Bassoon, or Tuba?
Excellent question! If you're hoping to play those instruments in band, you 100% need to join band! We just hold off on those more complex instruments until later in the year. Here's the instrument we recommend starting on if you want to play any of those.
Oboe --> Clarinet
Bass Clarinet --> Clarinet
Tenor or Baritone Saxophone --> Alto Saxophone
French horn --> Trumpet
Bassoon --> Clarinet
Tuba --> Baritone/Euphonium or Trumpet