Find your warm-up exercise in your band binder, and click on the video to play along! Some of the warm-ups have different “play along” tracks, so have fun with it!!
Foundation Warm-Ups #1 (Drone + Metronome)
Foundation Warm-Ups #1 (Lofi Play Along)
Foundation Warm-Ups #1 (Cinematic Play Along)
Video Links included for each instrument!
Click on the video links (sorted by instrument) to see how to correctly open your instrument case, name the parts of your instrument, and assemble your band instrument!
Flute: Opening the Case and Naming the Parts of the Flute w/ Dr. Selfridge
Putting the Flute Together w/ Dr. Selfridge
How to Hold the Flute w/ Ms. Jane Cavanagh of “The Flute Academy”
Clarinet: Opening the Case and Naming the Parts of the Clarinet w/ Dr. Selfridge
Putting the Clarinet Mouthpiece and Barrel Together w/ Dr. Selfridge
How to Assemble the Full Clarinet
Trumpet: Opening the Trumpet Case & Naming the Trumpet Parts (2 videos) w/ Mr. Walton
How to Hold the Trumpet w/ Mr. Holt
Trombone: How to Assemble, Disassemble, and Hold a Trombone w/ Mr. Glynn from “BasicBand”
Welcome to the ACS Eagle Band! I’m sure you are wondering how to get started, especially, what instrument to choose as you begin your journey in the Eagle Band. This post is geared to help navigate your questions!
A Quick Note: For the purpose of ongoing posts, I would like to refer to our two groups as the ACS Beginning Band (new members- information in red) and the ACS Concert Band (returning members -information in blue).
Let’s start off with the instruments of the band: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.
In the ACS Eagle Band, we focus on the 4 main wind instruments. They are called “wind” instruments because they require our breath to play them. The other instruments (i.e. oboe, tuba, etc.) can be played in high school where resources are far more vast!
ACS Eagle Band Instruments:
Each of the 4 above instruments are unique in their own way, so let’s dive right in!
The Flute
The flute is a member of the “woodwind family,” though it is typically made of a metal, like silver. It produces a delicate, smooth sound. Flute players produce sound by blowing air across the tone hole, much like you would blowing across the top of a soda or water bottle.
The Clarinet
The clarinet is another member of the “woodwind family!” While it is often made of wood, some reliable beginner models are made of resin. Clarinet players produce sound by blowing air across a reed (made of cane) that is secured against the mouthpiece.
The Trumpet
The trumpet is a member of the “brass family.” It has three valves that, with the help of a mouthpiece placed against vibrating lips, produces different sounds!
The Trombone
The trombone is another member of the “brass family.” Rather than valves or keys, the trombone has a slide that is brought in or out to produce different notes. Like the trumpet, the trombone uses a mouthpiece placed against vibrating lips to produce a sound.
When able, check out these videos! If you like what you see and hear, that’s a start!
For students interested in percussion, please pick one of the four “wind” instruments as a second choice! Parents, please contact Mrs. Creech to set-up an appointment to interview for the percussion section.
Remember, band is a full-year commitment. Choosing an instrument means you are dedicated to at-home practice and maintaining care and maintenance. It can be overwhelming at the start, but the juice is worth the squeeze!
Be on the lookout for more tidbits next week!
Musically,
Mrs. Creech
Email: ccreech@assumption.school
