Introduction to Band Instruments Mr. Johnson Revised: 2 August 2010

 Woodwind.  Originally made of wood, played by blowing air over a wooden reed or over a tone hole.  Brass.  Made of brass, played by blowing air through the lips causing them to buzz in a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Percussion.  Made of all sorts of materials, played by hitting, striking, or shaking.  String.  Made of wood, played by bowing or plucking strings.

 It is important to have a variety of instruments in band.  The Pyramid of Sound  The lower the pitch of the instrument the more players of that instrument are needed.

 Made of metal.  Sound produced by blowing air over a tone hole (like a soda pop bottle.).  Held horizontally to the right.

 Small case size.  May also play the piccolo after three years of study.

 Made of plastic or wood with metal keys.  Sound produced by blowing air over a wooden reed.  Held vertically in front between the legs.

 Medium case size.  May also play the bass clarinet after two years of study.

 Made of metal.  Sound produced by blowing air over a wooden reed.  Held with the aid of a neck strap while resting on right thigh.

 Large case size.  May also play the baritone saxophone after two years of study.

 Piccolo.  Oboe.  Double reed instrument.  Transfer to oboe from clarinet in high school.  Bassoon.  Double reed instrument.  Transfer to bassoon from tenor saxophone in high school.

 Soprano saxophone.  Used as a solo instrument in high school jazz band.  Sopranino clarinet.  Used as a solo instrument in college concert band.  Alto clarinet.  Becoming extinct. Used in clarinet choir ensembles.  English horn.  Usually played by oboists as a solo instrument in college orchestras.

 Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.  Played by buzzing lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Large case size.  May also play euphonium, French horn, or tuba after two years of study.

 Made of metal and uses a slide to change the pitch.  Played by buzzing lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Large case size.  May also play bass trombone in high school jazz band.

 Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.  Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Play trumpet for one year and then switch to French horn.  Large case size.  Player needs to have a good ear for pitch.

 Large case size.  Trumpet players can usually switch to this instrument easily.

 Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.  Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Made of metal and uses valves to change the pitch.  Played by buzzing the lips into a cup shaped mouthpiece.

 Large case size.  Trumpets players can usually switch to this instrument easily.

 Students learn on a bell kit which contains a set of bells, a practice pad, mallets, and sticks.  Large case size.

 Each page of the method book is learned first on bells and then on snare drum (practice pad).

 Students will also learn snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and other miscellaneous instruments.

 We need a variety of instruments. However…