Instrument Gallery
Flute
|
The flute is a woodwind instrument. It's the smallest instrument in band. Playing the flute is much like making sound on a bottle. The flute is also the highest pitched instrument in band. The flute requires the most air of any instrument in the band. Sometimes physical properties such as a teardrop shape to the upper lip can make learning the flute difficult, but not impossible. Other members of the flute family include the piccolo.
|
|
Oboe
|
The oboe is also a woodwind instrument. It uses a double reed. The oboe is often a soloistic instrument. Usually only one or two are in an ensemble and it often it will have solos. The oboe can be a difficult instrument to learn. It requires someone with a persistent personality who can put up with frustration, but when played well the oboe can be extraordinarily gorgeous. It is recommended to have private lessons and a personal instrument when learning the oboe. Lucky for you Mrs. Reardon's main instrument is the oboe so she is very capable of helping you find those things!
|
|
Clarinet
|
The clarinet is a woodwind that uses a single reed. The clarinet has a family of instruments including bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet and Eb clarinet (a tiny baby clarinet). The clarinet section is part of the soul of the concert band. Many people play the clarinet but there are also many opportunities to be a soloist. The clarinet is super versatile and often plays very important roles in concert band music.
|
|
Bassoon
|
The bassoon is a woodwind which is also a double reed instrument, like the oboe. The bassoon is another instrument with a unique sound that is often soloistic or heard among the ensemble. Bassoon is the only woodwind that reads bass clef. Because it is a double reeded instrument it is like the oboe in that it requires someone who is ready for a challenge. It is recommended that bassoonists take lessons.
|
|
Saxophones
|
The saxophone is one of the newest instruments in the band. It's still less than 200 years old. Although it is made of metal, it uses a single reed similar to the clarinet so it is a woodwind. Saxophones are part of a family of instruments including the soprano, alto, tenor and bari saxophones. The saxophone is also a popular instrument for jazz band. Although saxophone is a very popular instrument, getting a good sound can be difficult to master.
|
|
Trumpet
|
The trumpet is a brass instrument. Sound is made on the trumpet by buzzing on a mouthpiece. The trumpet is the highest pitched brass instrument in band. The trumpet is very versatile as it can be a classical instrument, jazz, and is also used for many ceremonies such as military events.
|
|
Horn
|
The horn is also a brass instrument. The horn is an instrument that originated from hunting horns and now is a very important color to a concert band. Similar to the oboe the horn can be a very difficult instrument to play and requires a good sense of pitch from the musician. The challenge is worth the beauty and versatility of this instrument! Some of your favorite movie themes (like Star Wars!) are played on the horn.
|
|
Trombone
|
The trombone is another brass instrument. It reads music in bass clef and is a key voice in the band. The trombone is unique because it uses a slide instead of keys or valves. The trombone can be found in orchestras, bands and jazz bands.
|
|
Baritone/ Euphonium
|
The baritone and euphonium are low brass instruments. They are similar in range to a trombone but operate more like a tuba. The baritone and euphonium are essentially the same except the baritone is a cylindrical instrument and the euphonium is a conical instrument. This doesn't really mean anything for someone starting out on the instrument. The baritone or euphonium would be a great instrument for a 5th grader interested in playing the tuba until their size is more appropriate for a tuba!
|
|
Tuba
|
The Tuba is the largest instrument of the band. Like the flute it requires the most air. The tuba is also the lowest instrument of the band and provides the foundation of the music. In marching band the tuba plays the sousaphone.
|
|
Percussion
|
The percussion family is made up of instruments that are struck with various kinds of sticks. Students interested in percussion will have the opportunity to learn all the percussion instruments including snare drum, bass drum, mallet instruments, cymbals, timpani, chimes, and auxiliary percussion. Contrary to what you might believe, percussion requires a lot of focus and patience compared to other instruments. Percussionists are almost always a soloist and oftentimes have to wait a long time until their turn to play.
|
|