Beginning Woodwinds is a class for students who want to learn how to play a woodwind instrument. (Flute, Clarinet, or Saxophone) Beginning Band will be split between brass, woodwinds and percussion for the first semester. Most students in beginning band have never played a musical instrument before! Some students have taken piano lessons in the past, or have musical experience away from band. Whether you've never read music, or already have that skill, Beginning Woodwinds is a fun class to be in! This year we have a great mix of all grades from 7-9! Beginning Woodwinds is not just a "7th Grade" class, it's for anyone who wants to play an instrument!

Practice is imperative to the success of a Beginning Band member.  Students are expected to practice every day for 20 minutes.  For students who find taking their instrument to and from school every day inconvenient, the band room practice rooms are available before and after school.  The band room is open from 7:15am-4:00 pm daily, with only slight variations.  Playing an instrument involves the development of hundreds muscle fibers acting in unison to perform a specific task.  Much like throwing a football, shooting a basketball, or kicking a soccer ball, muscle-memory is required to ensure that every aspect of playing an instrument is performed the same, proper way every time.  Practice doesn't make perfect....Practice makes permanent. 

• Instrument! Ms. Shinney recommends renting for your first year. Sometimes you'll change your mind about what instrument you want to play. Please see the Instrument Rental Page under Resources. 

• Accent on Achievement Book! If you go to Amazon, type in "Accent on Achievement book 1" then type in your instrument, you'll find one! I recommend getting your own, because then it's yours to keep forever, and you get to write in it if you want to. We do have some at the school that are free to use as needed. 

• Pencils! You need a pencil EVERYDAY! We only use pencil to write on music, because it gets reused. (It actually costs money to replace music if it gets ruined. When you buy a band song, you only pay for a set number of trumpet parts, so if it gets ruined or lost, you have to pay to get more copies.)

• Reeds? If you play the saxophone or clarinet, you need to get your own reeds! You can also get them from Amazon. Ms. Shinney recommends a 2.5, and the Rico boxes. (Rico is a cheap but good brand, great for learning!) Ms. Shinney keeps a few at the school, but they're for emergencies/available in the class store. Plan on getting your own reeds, and ALWAYS keeping at least one backup. 

• Cork Grease! (Reed instruments only.) In order to put your instrument together in a way that keeps it working and well, you'll need some cork grease! Cork grease usually comes in a chapstick type tube. You can find it at a local music store, or on Amazon. Always read the reviews to make sure that you're buying something that is safe for instruments.