Practicing scales for wind instruments gives students the ability to enhance their playing of fast scaler passages in music, and also allows students to practice reading the key signatures.

Scales also provide note passages that require students to use alternate fingerings as well.

All of the instruments in the band are pitched differently. When a student plays a C on a flute, it does not sound the same as a C on the clarinet. Because of this, even though we have a "concert pitch", some students will not be starting on the note that the concert pitch is.

The horn is the only instrument we currently use in band that is labeled as an F instrument. When they play the "concert pitch" scale, they begin on a note that is a perfect 4th below the concert pitch, or 3 and a half steps.

For example: Concert Bb, they would start on the note F

Rudiments are the basics of all drumming and help to build speed and precision on percussions playing.

There are 40 basic rudiments listed by the Percussive Arts Society that help build stick technique. They can be found on the Vic Firth Website, with detailed explanations and how to videos.

Vic Firth Rudiment Poster