Beginning Band

Get to Know the Band Instruments!

Beginning Band classes

Woodwinds

Flute - the primary melody instrument of the Woodwinds and in all of band. It is the highest sound in the band. It is a part of the "Triforce of Melody" with the Clarinet and Trumpet.

Clarinet - a melody instrument that is second to the flute in the woodwinds. Clarinet can also play the harmony. It is a part of the "Triforce of Melody" with the Flute and Trumpet. Select students can transition to Bass Clarinet in 7th grade.

Alto Saxophone - a harmony instrument in the concert band setting, but a melody instrument in Jazz Band. Its music is normally shared with Horn. Select students can transition to Tenor Sax and Baritone Sax starting in 7th grade.

Oboe - It is a specialty instrument that has a small amount of students. Another instrument that can be both melody with the flute and clarinet, or harmony with the clarinet and alto saxophone.

Bassoon - one of the largest of the woodwind instruments. It is a tenor or bass instrument that shares music with the larger brass instruments like trombone, euphonium, and tuba.

Brass

Trumpet - melody instrument of the Brass Family. It is a part of the "Triforce of Melody" with the Flute and Clarinet.

Horn - "specialty instrument" of the Brass. This class is usually small in number due to the complex nature of the instrument. Its music is normally shared by the Alto Saxophone.

Trombone - Also associated with the Low Brass. Normally shares music with Euphonium and Bassoon

Euphonium & Tuba (known as "Low Brass") - Euphonium is also known as the "baby tuba." These instruments are mainly taught together since the fingerings are the same. However, euphonium, trombone, and bassoon normally share the same music.

Percussion

Percussion is more than drums once students reach middle school.

Percussion instruction is in many layers. At the start of the year, students will begin instruction on snare drum practice pad and xylophone/marimba.

Later, they transition to an actual snare drum and xylophone/marimba, including a few accessory instruments (cymbals, triangle, etc).

Finally, students begin learning timpani, and all remaining accessory instruments (gong, claves, maracas, vibraslap, congas, etc.)

Percussionists are the most active students in the Band because they have so many instruments to learn in one year before having to play these instruments with little help starting in 7th grade.

Only the most focused and disciplined students are considered for Percussion.

Beginning Band classes are asked to rehearse after school only a few times a year in preparation for public performances.

Beginning Band Students will also have opportunities to perform as an individual at Solo Festival and GISD All-Star Band auditions (See Band Handbook)

Page updated

Report abuse