The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. Typically, 5-10 students start on flute each year.

Physical Characteristics

Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small airstream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely. Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds.

Other Considerations

Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.

The clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall. Typically, 10-15 players (or more!) start on clarinet each year.

Physical Characteristics

One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.

Other Considerations

Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.

After their Beginner Band year, some students may have the option to switch to Bass Clarinet.

The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass AND woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone uses a single reed like the clarinet. Typically 4-7 students start on alto saxophone each year.

Physical Characteristics

Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.

Other Considerations

Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 3-4 quality reeds. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class).

The trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Typically, 10-15 (or more!) students start on trumpet each year.

Physical Characteristics

While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Thinner lips tend to do well on trumpet, but trumpet players can come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations

Trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.

The French horn is the also a member of the brass family. Its sound is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears should consider French Horn. Typically, 5-7 students start on French horn each year.

Physical Characteristics

A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. Thinner lips tend to do well on horn. Because the bell of the French horn rests on the knee of the player while playing, it is imperative that a student’s upper torso be long enough to accommodate the size of the French horn to make good sounds and that players be able to demonstrate sitting straight up when asked to do so. The French horn’s keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.

Other Considerations

Because of the difficult nature of French horn notes (mentioned above), students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. This is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. Students with a history of academic or behavioral problems will NOT be selected for French horn. The French horn is an instrument owned by Sweeny Junior High and can be rented for $50 for the entire school year. However, students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces and maintenance supplies.

Like the French horn, trombone players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears should consider Trombone. Typically, 9-15 students start on trombone each year.

Physical Characteristics

While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.

Other Considerations

Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.

Students may have the opportunity to play Bass Trombone when they reach high school band.

The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone). Typically 3-5 students start on baritone each year.

Physical Characteristics

Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity.

Other Considerations

Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn. The Baritone is an instrument owned by Sweeny Junior High and can be rented for $50 for the entire school year. However, students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces and maintenance supplies.

While many believe the tuba is the largest instrument in the band and would be hard to physically manage, the tubas we use for beginners are ¾ size and easy to handle. Typically, 2-4 students start on tuba each year.

Physical Characteristics

Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the student doesn’t matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the edge of their chair or across the thighs.

Other Considerations

The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers. Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be consistently eligible. The Tuba is an instrument owned by Sweeny Junior High and can be rented for $50 for the entire school year. However, students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces and maintenance supplies.