Selecting an Instrument

IMPORTANT NOTE: Instruments do NOT have a gender, race, or ethnicity. Literally students of ALL backgrounds can (and have) played ALL of the instruments.

WOODWIND:
FLUTE

WOODWIND:
OBOE

WOODWIND:
BASSOON

WOODWIND:
CLARINET

WOODWIND:
BASS CLARINET

WOODWIND:
SAXOPHONE

BRASS:
TRUMPET

BRASS:
FRENCH HORN

BRASS:
TROMBONE

BRASS:
EUPHONIUM

BRASS:
TUBA

PERCUSSION:
PERCUSSION

The OBOE is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few students will actually be chosen for oboe.

Physical Considerations: Students with profound overbites or under bites would have EXTREME difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same placement.

Other Considerations: Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Private lessons are available (and HIGHLY suggested) each week and scholarships for lessons are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Reeds can cost $10-15 each.

This is an advanced class. Only students with high academic performance records ae considered for oboe. Students should be dedicated to their music education with the intention of working towards our advanced bands in Middle School and High School. Students with a history of academic or disciplinary difficulty are not considered for oboe.

Note: Students who participate in private lessons experience less frustration and statistically are more likely to continue their music education in high school. Because of the extremely low enrollment for oboe students, we expect a high level of commitment. This is an advanced class. The oboe is a prize!

Bassoon

BASSOON PERSONALITY TRAITS: Serious, Aspirational, Inventive (“Thinks Outside the Box”)
Only 4 students total will be chosen for Bassoon

The BASSOON is to the oboe what the bass clarinet is to the clarinet. It is the larger, lower sounding version of the double reed instrument. However, bassoon students will not play oboe before switching, instead they will begin on the bassoon itself. Selection of bassoon players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few students will actually be chosen for bassoon.

Physical Considerations: A slight overbite is okay for students wishing to play bassoon, however, a student with an under bite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs is a necessity for playing bassoon proficiently as well as a medium or greater hand span and above average coordination.

Other Considerations: Like the oboe, the bassoon is such a difficult instrument to master. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Reeds can cost $10-15 each.

This is an advanced class. Only students with high academic performance records ae considered for bassoon. Students should be dedicated to their music education with the intention of working towards our advanced bands in Middle School and High School. Students with a history of academic or disciplinary difficulty are not considered for bassoon.

Note: Students who participate in private lessons experience less frustration and statistically are more likely to continue their music education in high school. Because of the extremely low enrollment for oboe students, we expect a high level of commitment. This is an advanced class. The bassoon is a prize!

The CLARINET uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. Some clarinet students may be chosen to play Bass Clarinet as 7th graders.

Physical Considerations: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.

Other Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet.

Saxophone

ALTO SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY TRAITS: Driven, Competitive, Mellow
Saxophone students will be chosen by lottery. Only 8 students will be chosen to play Alto Saxophone

The ALTO SAXOPHONE gives the impression of being both a brass and woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone, which uses a single reed like the clarinet, is a very popular instrument like flute.

Physical Considerations: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.

Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs around $23 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class.

The TRUMPET(cornet is a smaller version) is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on a trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece.

Physical Considerations: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations: Trumpet parts usually have the melody part, therefore students who choose the trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.

French Horn

FRENCH HORN PERSONALITY TRAITS: Academic
Only 10% of students will be chosen for French Horn

The FRENCH HORN sound is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears should consider french horn.

Physical Considerations: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. The French horn’s keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.

Other Considerations: Because of the difficult nature of French horn notes, students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups.

Trombone

TROMBONE PERSONALITY TRAITS: Analytical
Only 12% of students will be chosen to play Trombone

Like the French Horn, TROMBONE players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments, but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their muscle memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears should consider Trombone.

Physical Considerations: While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme under bite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.

Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.

Euphonium

EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY TRAITS: Artistic, Creative
Only 8% of students will be chosen to play Euphonium

The EUPHONIUM (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide.

Physical Considerations: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an under bite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity.

Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn.

Tuba

TUBA PERSONALITY TRAITS: Unique, Confident
Only 6 students will be chosen to play Tuba

While many believe the TUBA is the largest instrument in the band and would be hard to physically manage, the tubas we use for beginners are ¾ size and easy to handle.

Physical Considerations: Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the student doesn’t matter too much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the edge of their chair or across the thighs.

Other Considerations: The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers. Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be consistently UIL eligible.

Percussion

PERCUSSION PERSONALITY TRAITS: Coordinated, Communicative, and Organized
Only 8-12 students will be chosen for Percussion

Just because you are always tapping on things does not mean you are a natural percussionist (drummer). In fact, the PERCUSSION section is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. ONLY students with the highest grades, lowest discipline problems, backgrounds in piano lessons (optional, but certainly helpful), and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be considered for percussion.

Physical Considerations: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills.

Other Considerations: The study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, xylophone, marimba, and timpani among many other instruments. This is not just “drumset class.”

Private Lessons: Because of the extremely detailed nature of percussion and the necessity to learn more than one instrument, percussionists are expected to take weekly private lessons with the private percussion instructor at Vandeventer. Learning how to properly play percussion instruments is time-intensive.

Note: Students who participate in private lessons experience less frustration and statistically are more likely to continue their music education in high school. It is expected that students selected for percussion are planning to participate through high school. Lessons are $20 per week and scholarships are available.

Students with a history of academic or disciplinary difficulty are not considered for percussion.