Ready to Choose Your Instrument?!

Learn more about the Instruments of the Band and Orchestra!

 Brass Instruments

The brass instruments include the Trumpet, Trombone, and Baritone. Each of the brass instruments is played by buzzing into the mouthpiece. 

Trumpet - The Trumpet is the smallest and highest of the brass instruments, and usually has the melody in the band.

Trombone - The Trombone is larger and deeper sounding than the Trumpet and Horn, and has a slide that you move to play different notes. It usually has the harmony and bass line in the band. 

Baritone - The Baritone sounds a lot like the Trombone, and usually plays the same notes as a Trombone, except it has valves that you press to make a sound, instead of a slide. 

Woodwind Instruments

The woodwind instruments include the Flute, Saxophone, and Clarinet.

Flute - The Flute is the highest sounding of the woodwind instruments, and is played by blowing air across the mouthpiece (similar to blowing air across a pop bottle to make sound!).

Clarinet - The Clarinet is slightly deeper than the Flute, and is played by blowing air through a reed and mouthpiece.

Saxophone - The Saxophone can play high or low, and is the largest of the woodwinds. It is played by blowing air through a reed and mouthpiece.

Percussion Instruments

The percussion family of instruments is the largest. It includes any instrument that you can hit, shake or scrape. When beginning band we will focus on snare drum, mallets and other small percussion instruments. 

String Instruments

The string instruments include the Violin, Viola, Cello, and String Bass. Each instrument is played by drawing a bow across the strings. 

STRING QUARTET RECORDING:

Violin - The Violin is the smallest and highest sounding of the stringed instruments, and usually plays the melody in the Orchestra.

Viola - The Viola is slightly larger and deeper sounding than the Violin, and usually plays the supporting melody and harmony in the Orchestra.

Cello - The Cello is bigger and deeper sounding than the Violin and Viola. The Cello often switches between melody, harmony, and bass line in the Orchestra, and can play both high and low. 

String Bass - The String Bass is the largest and deepest sounding instrument in the Orchestra, and usually plays the bass line.