Download Instruments of the Band - Calgary Christian School

Instruments of the Band
The Woodwind Family
The oboe is a double reed instrument and requires a very dedicated
and motivated student to play it. It uses a double reed and produces
the most unique and beautiful sound in the band. The instrument
comes apart into three parts and fits in a small case that can go into a
backpack. The reeds are expensive but will last if taken care of.
The flute is the highest and oldest of all the woodwind
instruments. It has a beautiful sound that can be light
and happy or quiet and calm. It often plays the melody.
The player blows across the mouthpiece so work on
breath support and control is important. No reeds or
lubrication are needed for this instrument. It can be
taken apart into 3 pieces and placed in a small case that
can be carried in a backpack.
The clarinet is the violin of the wind orchestra. It can play both high and low
notes and plays very quickly. A band usually has more clarinets than any other
instrument. The clarinet plays both melody and harmony and is a great choice
for a smaller student who is also interested in the saxophone. It requires a
reed for sound and if they are taken care of, a student will only wear out 4 or
5 reeds a year. Reeds are available at the high school music room for a
loonie. The clarinet breaks down into four parts and is placed in a small case
that can be carried in a backpack.
The saxophone is the newest member of the wind band (only about 150
years old) and is the most popular. There are 4 members of this
family: the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax. All saxophones need
reeds to produce a sound and, if they are taken care of, a student will
only wear out 4 or 5 reeds a year. Reeds are available at the high
school music room for a loonie. The school does not have soprano
saxophones, the alto is large and heavy, the tenor is quite heavy and
large, and the baritone sax is so large that we do not use it in Grade 6
band. Once a student has learned the saxophone, he/she can play any
of the other family members later on!
The Brass Family
The brass family is the power of the band. The student must buzz into a mouthpiece
and have a good sense of pitch. Believe it or not, lip size plays a big role – the fatter
the lips, the lower the brass instrument.
The trumpet is the highest and smallest of the
brass instruments. Lubricants for the valves
are supplied with the instrument and should last
for the school year. Also, the trumpet should
be bathed and oiled regularly. It comes in a
small case and is easily carried and transported.
The French horn is one of the most
beautiful sounding instruments in the
band. It is also quite tricky to play and
the student needs a solid commitment to
advance with this instrument. A great
sense of pitch is required. Lubricants
for the valves are supplied with the
instrument and should
last for the school year.
The instrument comes in
an average sized case.
The trombone is the only
brass instrument that does
not have valves – it has a
slide that can make sounds
no other instruments can. It
is a very important
instrument in the band and
has a great brassy sound like
the trumpet except lower.
It comes in a narrow long
case that stands on its end
and is easy to carry
The tuba is the largest
instrument in the band
and therefore plays
the lowest. It is the
foundation of the
sound. The tuba player
needs to control
his/her breath support
to get the best sound.
A tuba player does not
need to be a large
person. Lubricants for
the valves are supplied
with the instrument
and should last for the
school year. The tuba
comes in a big heavy
case that has wheels
and handles.
The baritone is the smaller cousin of
the tuba (it looks like a little tuba).
It plays the same pitches as the
trombone but has a mellower sound.
A good band has several baritones
because they add to the depth and
beauty of the sound. Lubricants for
the valves are supplied with the
instrument and should last for the
school year. The baritone comes in a
big square case that is on the heavier
side.