Let's Practice!
Instrument-specific supplemental exercises
"Why do the clarinets play their First Five so easily, but I can't play C to D?" -- Beginning flute student
"Why does my instrument make a weird sound when I try to play a D?" -- Beginning sax student
"Why is a G so hard for me, but so easy for everyone else in band?" -- Beginning trumpet student
Answering all of these questions at once is a common challenge facing beginning band teachers. A great solution is to utilize supplemental materials, either during instrument lessons or to send with your students as homework.
Let's Practice! Part One, "The First Five" helps your beginning band student negotiate the transition from AlphaNotes to standard notation, while isolating instrument-specific technical issues along the way.
PART ONE: BASIC INSTRUMENT BUNDLE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
BASIC INSTRUMENTATION:
- Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Percussion
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Transition from AlphaNotes to standard notation
- Instrument specific exercises
- Expanding to the last two diatonic notes
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: FLUTE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Flute specific exercises, emphasis on C to D
- Expanding to G and low A
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: CLARINET
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Clarinet specific fingering exercises
- Expanding to A and low B
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: ALTO SAXOPHONE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Sax specific exercises, emphasis on C to D
- Expanding to E and low F sharp
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: TRUMPET
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Trumpet specific exercises, emphasis on flexibility
- Expanding to A and low B
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: TROMBONE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Slide position graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Trombone specific exercises, emphasis on B flat to C
- Expanding to G and low A
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: BARITONE B.C.
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Baritone specific exercises, emphasis on flexibility
- Expanding to G and low A
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: BARITONE T.C.
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Fingering graphic for each note
- Embouchure and hand position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Baritone specific exercises, emphasis on flexibility
- Expanding to A and low B
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: KEYBOARD PERCUSSION
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Keyboard location graphic for each note
- Grip and mallet position breakdown
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Keyboard Percussion specific exercises, emphasis on lateral agility
- Expanding to G and low A
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: PERCUSSION
First Sticking Combinations: "FIRST FIVE"
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- Percussion specific sticking patterns, rudiments, and exercises
- Grip and stick position breakdown
- Stick isolation and control exercises
- Paradiddles, flams, multiple bounces
- Part independence exercises
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
PART ONE: EXTENDED INSTRUMENT BUNDLE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
EXTENDED INSTRUMENTATION:
SWITCH-OVERS NOT IN THE BASIC PACK
- Oboe, Alt Oboe, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Tenor and Baritone Sax, French Horn, Alt French Horn, Tuba
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Instrument specific exercises
- Expanding to the last two diatonic notes
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material
COMING SOON TO
Teachers Pay Teachers
SAMPLES COMING SOON
PART ONE: FULL INSTRUMENT BUNDLE
First Diatonic Notes: "FIRST FIVE"
FULL INSTRUMENTATION:
- Flute, Oboe, Alt Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Alt French Horn, Trombone, Baritone (BC + TC), Tuba, Keyboard Percussion
TOPICS INCLUDED:
- A "First Five" starter sheet
- Transition from AlphaNotes
- Instrument specific exercises
- Expanding to the last two diatonic notes
- A variety of useful hints and tips
- Plenty of playing test material