Part of your grade in band will be based on tests and quizes on information that you will need to know to correctly participate in our band. Our first lesson will be the three "families of instruments" that are in a concert or marching band.

The Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, and the Saxophone are all instruments of the woodwind family.All these instruments (except the sax) were origianally made of wood. Now many woodwind instruments are made of metal or plastic. They are called "winds" because the player blows air, or "wind" to produce a sound.

The Cornet,Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, and Tuba are all in the Brass family. All the Brass instruments produce sound by the buzzing of the players lips into a mouthpiece.They are mostly made of brass and other common metals.All Brass instruments have tubing that is made longer or shorter making the notes higher or lower. Some use valves to add or take away tubing while the Trombone has a slide to change the note.

A Percussion Instrument is one that is hit or shaken to produce a sound. There are many Percussion Instruments in band. Here are a Few : Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Tambourine, Tympani Drums, Triangle, and Cowbell.There are also Percussion Instruments that can play a melody. These are the Bells( also called Glockenspiel), Xylophone, Marimba, and Tympani. A good drummer(called a Percussionist) can play all of these well.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

All Band members should study this information and be prepared to take a test on this material shortly after school begin