Q: [Teens & Tweens] We got the registration forms for middle school and my son was asked to pick an instrument for the next two years. How the heck do we do that? Is there somewhere to try instruments out? Are some easier to learn than others?
A: Although it may seem like an arduous task, choosing an instrument is not as difficult as it may seem. Each family of instruments produces a unique sound and has a slightly different way of playing it. Each instrument will pose different difficulties for different people; so I’d rather describe how these instruments function and let the reader use this information to make their own choice.
The Woodwind family consists of flutes, clarinets, and saxophones. These instruments are similar, due to their fingering systems and how the sound is produced. To play a flute, musicians blow across and into an embouchure hole to produce the sound, while their fingers press down keys in different fingering combinations to make different pitches. To play a saxophone and clarinet, musicians also press down keys in different fingering combinations to change the pitch. Also known as reed instruments, the different sounds of the clarinet and saxophone are produced by making the reed (a thin piece of cane) vibrate against the mouthpiece.
The Brass family consists of trumpets, horns, trombones, baritones/euphoniums and tubas. All brass instruments have a metal mouthpiece. Coupled with a good air stream, musicians buzz their lips against the opening of the mouthpiece to produce the vibrations necessary to make a sound. The differences in these instruments are in their range, from the highest sounding (trumpet) to the lowest sounding (tuba). Higher sounding brass instruments require more compression of air, while lower sounding brass instruments will require a large, consistent volume of air.
The Percussion family consists of snare drums, bass drums, timpani drums, triangles, various cymbals, and keyboard instruments like the xylophone. All of these instruments use some sort of stick or mallet to strike the instrument to make a sound.
The String family consists of violins, violas, cellos, and string bass. To create a sound, musicians use a bow to make the strings vibrate and adjust their finger positioning to change the pitch.
In regards to the cost, woodwind and brass instruments generally cost more. The reed instruments (such as clarinets and saxophones) will require you to buy a new reed when the old reed breaks or wears out. Violins and violas are much cheaper to buy/rent compared to the wind instruments. Most schools will lend students cellos and string basses during the year. If a band director requires percussionists to buy a snare drum, it is very inexpensive. However, most schools tend to provide percussion instruments for the students. The director may request you to purchase a drum or practice pad for your child to practice at home.
Prior to the beginning of the school year, I recommend requesting a meeting with your child’s school band/orchestra director to see if your child can test different instruments. Most band/orchestra directors will be more than happy to facilitate this. If you’re still unsure about what instrument to pick, go online and listen to different musicians play these various instruments. The music will always draw you to the instrument meant for you.
Jeffrey de Seriere is an active music educator, conductor, and saxophonist in Southern California. He is the coordinator of the Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program at the Orange County School of the Arts where he teaches courses in chamber music and music theory, and conducts the OCSA Symphonic Band. www.ocsarts.net
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