There are many criteria to consider when deciding which instrument to play, beyond what “looks cool”. While a student’s desire is primary (no matter how well-suited a student may be to play trumpet, if she really doesn’t like the instrument, she will never get maximum enjoyment out of band class), physical characteristics of the student, price for purchasing or renting the instrument, and the student’s personality all play a role. Below are some breakdowns by instrument to help guide you to making the right choice. Prices listed are per month rentals from Long and McQuade, including insurance. Their current price list can be found here.
Flute
Physical: Teeth should meet evenly (little-to-no overbite)
Price: $20/month
Personality: Flutes are team players, requiring a group to work. Flutes often have the melody. Fingerings for flutes are fairly intuitive. Flutes take the longest in the beginning to produce sounds and can be frustrating for the first couple months. Once a student has found the proper shape, they rarely forget it.
Oboe
Physical: Need hands able to make long stretches.
Price: $60/month + reeds ($10 each)
Personality: Oboes are hard. They are usually alone, and have fairly complicated fingerings. They produce sounds easily, though the sound is often squeaky and unpleasant in the beginning. Learning oboe would require extra time and effort and a high tolerance for frustration. In the end, however, the oboe is often the star, an in-demand player. Oboe is an instrument for the student seeking a true challenge. It is often advisable for a student wishing to play oboe to start on clarinet and switch to oboe in grade 7, but with strong parental support, it can be done in grade 6.
Clarinet
Physical: Need hands able to make long stretches, and fingertips able to cover the holes.
Price: $20/month + reeds ($2 each)
Personality: Clarinets are the backbone of the band sound. They rely on their group. Clarinets often have the harmony line. They are among the first instrument to produce reliable sounds, and the fingerings are very intuitive. Clarinets “look” a lot more complicated than they actually are.
Alto Saxophone
Physical: Need hands able to make long stretches.
Price: $36/month + reeds ($3 each)
Personality: Alto saxophones are the first instruments to produce reliable sounds. Saxophones can be loud and stand out in the band. While saxophone players don’t suffer from the initial frustration that other players experience, because they are usually the first to master any given part, they need to be disciplined enough to sit quietly as other parts receive instructional time.
Trumpet
Physical: Lips are thin to medium. Moderate overbite is okay.
Price: $24/month
Personality: Trumpets easily produce reliable sounds, but only when the player is confident. Trumpet players have to be brave enough to commit to a note without being totally sure that the instrument will produce it accurately. Trumpet players have to be able to tell the difference between low and high sounds. While trumpets start easily, they hit a hard plateau after the first couple months. Trumpets take up a lot of instructional time.
French Horn
Physical: Lips are thin.
Price: $50/month
Personality: French horns are the oboes of the brass family. They require the student to have a keen ear to differentiate between high and low notes, and be able to commit to their sound. Learning French horn takes extra time and effort, and is a choice for a student seeking a true challenge. In exchange, French horns are one of the most beautiful-sounding instruments in the band.
Trombone/Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba
Physical: Long arms, and enough strength to hold a heavier instrument. Good breath support. Able to transport instrument easily between home and school.
Price: $24/month (trombone), $40/month (baritone/euphonium) and $75/month (tuba)
Personality: These players need to be able to work on their own. Their parts are often easier than other instruments, so they tend to receive less in-class instructional time. These players read bass clef, so some piano experience is helpful, but not necessary. They also have to be able to tell the difference between low and high sounds.
Percussion
Physical: None
Price: $14/month
Personality: Percussion students must be self-controlled, and able to sit through extended periods of inactivity. Percussion is more than just drum kit, and percussion students are expected to learn bells and auxiliary instruments as well as snare drum. Percussion students must be confident and able to lead the band through their playing.