selecting an instrument

       4th Grade Band begins with Exploratory Band that gives students a chance to try the basic woodwind -  

       flute/clarinet & brass - trumpet/trombone - instruments as well as percussion/bells. Students will change    

       instruments every 2 weeks. At the end of the Exploratory process, they will select their instrument. 

Beginning 5/6 grade band students will select an instrument when they join. 

      Research suggests that a student should select an instrument based on their preference for high,

      medium, or low sounds. The instrument choices for beginners are flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone or baritone.       NR & SS have a limited inventory of these instruments. If a student plays baritone, I most often have 1 for them   

      to use at home & have 1 at school to use. 

       In some cases, 2nd & 3rd-year band students may want to try something different. For example, a clarinet

       player may want to switch to bass clarinet which is much bigger and sounds lower. A flute or clarinet player may         want to try alto or tenor sax. A trumpet player may want to switch to French horn. 

how to get an instrument

Once a student knows what instrument they want to learn to play, you need to decide whether to rent from a  

music store or get one from the school. 

The cost of renting a band instrument from a music store varies. I recommend rent-to-own, & most of 

the music stores have this option. Their monthly fee includes insurance in the event an instrument needs to be 

repaired or replaced, which is awesome. All you have to do is take the instrument to the store & they will take 

care of it. 

Schools have a limited inventory of decent instruments that students can use without a fee. If a school 

instrument is damaged, lost, or stolen, it is your responsibility to take it for repairs or replace it. 

If a student chooses a larger band instrument, they can have 1 at home and borrow a school instrument 

so you don't have to haul it back and forth. If you are unable to rent 1 for home, I have a limited inventory 

for students to use free of charge. 

 If I have to send in a repair, I am required to obtain a quote for the repair, then wait for the store to repair it. 

This process most often leaves the student without an instrument for several weeks, sometimes longer! 

If/when the time comes to purchase an instrument, please avoid buying new instruments from non-music 

        stores. Sometimes a decent instrument can be found at a pawn shop. 

Please email me for questions or help anytime acrider@pvlearners.net