The Band Instruments - Lake Shore Middle School



The Band Instruments

This is a list of the instruments taught in group lessons in the Lake Shore Elementary Schools. We have also included the ideal numbers of each instrument we need throughout all of the district’s elementary schools and some important factors that the teachers will consider before suggesting an instrument to a student. (Instruments marked with a double asterisk (**) are provided by the school.)

FLUTE (Ideal number in the district: 8)

1. Arms are long enough to hold the flute up to the mouth and still cover the keys correctly.

2. Upper lip can make proper embouchure (The way the mouth is shaped to play the instrument). A short lip or a bead of skin in the center of the upper lip (Called a “teardrop-lip”) makes it very difficult to produce a sound on the flute.

3. Teeth should meet evenly when the student’s mouth is closed.

4. Student can make a clear sound easily on the head-joint.

OBOE (Ideal number in the district: 4)

**BASSOON (Ideal number in the district: 3)

1. Hands are large enough to stretch far enough to cover keys and holes.

2. High score on the “Tonal” portion of the Gordon Test of Musical Aptitude.

CLARINET (Ideal number in the district: 26)

ALTO SAXOPHONE (Ideal number in the district: 8)

1. Hands are large enough to reach all keys.

2. Fingertips are large enough to cover holes on the clarinet.

** The school will provide this instrument.

TRUMPET (Ideal number in the district: 20)

**FRENCH HORN (Ideal number in the district: 8)

1. Lip shape should be medium to thin. (Thick lips tend to be better suited for trombone, baritone, or tuba).

2. Straight front teeth are extremely important.

3. High score on the “Tonal” portion of the Gordon Test of Musical Aptitude.

TROMBONE (Ideal number in the district: 20)

**BARITONE (Ideal number in the district: 3)

**TUBA (Ideal number in the district: 3)

1. Student is large enough to handle the size of the instrument.

2. Arms are long enough to reach lower positions on the trombone.

3. High score on the “Tonal” portion of the Gordon Test of Musical Aptitude.

PERCUSSION: Snare & bass drums, mallets (Ideal number in the district: 6)

1. Exceptional physical coordination.

2. Student can keep steady tempo.

3. Previous keyboard/piano experience is helpful.

4. Student is responsible, has strong sense of dependability, and has self-control.

5. Extremely high score on the “Rhythm” portion of the Gordon Test of Musical Aptitude.

6. Student is committed to becoming a complete percussionist. This is not a

Rock drum-set class and most 5th grade percussion students will not play the drum-set.

** The school will provide this instrument.

The Orchestra (String) Instruments

Violins, violas, cellos, and string basses are available in sizes from 1/16th size to Full size. One size does not fit all and each student will be fitted to the proper size instrument.

VIOLIN (Ideal number in the district: 50)

The violin is the smallest of the string instruments. It is the lightest and sounds the highest.

VIOLA (Ideal number in the district: 15)

The viola is played in the same way as the violin; however it is larger and plays lower pitches. This instrument is a good choice for taller students with long, strong fingers.

** CELLO (Ideal number in the district: 10)

The cello is played in a sitting position. It is a larger instrument and plays lower pitches than the viola. This is also a good instrument for taller students with long, strong fingers. Parents must be able to pick up the cello at the beginning of the year and return it to the school in June. Students do not need to carry it back and forth to school each week.

** STRING BASS (Ideal number in the district: 5)

The string bass is the largest of the string instruments and plays the lowest pitches. It is played standing up or sitting on a tall stool. This instrument is also good for taller students with strong arms and long, strong fingers. Parents must be able to pick up the bass at the beginning of the year and return it to the school in June. Students do not need to carry it back and forth to school each week.

** The school will provide this instrument.

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