It’s the beginning of the school year, and your child has started learning flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. But did you know there’s a whole entire world outside of these instruments? In almost every instrument family there is another one-to-four instruments that can claim relation.
Each further instrument expands on the quality of sound from its original, and provides a unique voice to the ensemble. Some of these instruments are only seen in full professional symphonic orchestras, but others are common enough in High school that your child might be asked to switch instruments.
In the Woodwinds:
Piccolo
Alto Flute
Oboe
English horn
Oboe d’amore
A clarinet
E-flat clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Contra Clarinet
Bassoon
Contra Bassoon
When it comes to flutes and clarinets, most of these near-relations will be visited by the time of high school band, like piccolo and the E-flat clarinet (both much higher in the range than the regular flute and clarinet). But others, like the bassoon and oboe (standard instruments for the higher levels of wind ensembles and orchestras) are a bit harder to come by. If your child wants to play either of these instruments, you may have to express this to the schools band director. Signing up for lessons at the Omaha School of Music and Dance will help convince the band director that you’re serious about switching instruments. Call the Omaha School of Music and Dance to arrange private lessons on these instruments.
The Saxophones:
Tenor saxophone
Soprano Saxophone
Alto saxophones are the standard starting instrument for beginning bands. Once advanced to middle school bands and beyond, a band director might suggest the technically proficient to try adding jazz band to their course load. In jazz band and more advanced wind ensembles, students will explore their proficiencies on the higher pitched and lower pitched saxophones.
In the Brass:
French horn
Flugel horn
C-trumpet
Piccolo trumpet
Tenor Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba/Sousaphone
Some of these brass instruments are incorporated at the middle school band level, like French horns and tuba. Flugel horn, c-trumpet and bass trombone might make an appearance in high school band and jazz band. The Omaha School of Music and Dance has teachers for trombone lessons, trumpet lessons, and French horn—register now before concert season starts!
Percussion beyond snare drums and bass drums:
Cymbals, gong,
The “keyed” instruments: xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, (sometimes this even includes piano and celeste!)
The “toys”—triangle, rachet, shaker, wood block
Timpani
In the early stages of music education, percussionists are usually kept to the basics: hand technique on snare drum, bass drum, and cymbals. As a student progresses, they might be expected to used the drum set you see in jazz and rock bands, and advance to timpani (also known as kettle drums). The Omaha School of Music and Dance has a designated room just for drum lessons. We have two sets so that our drum instructors can play along with students and demonstrate techniques effectively.
Call our studio to register for lessons on any of the band instruments! Our highly qualified teachers are eager to help your child advance in technique, musicality, and to help him or her feel confident about their band music!
