Band parent to be-any advice?

[hipporina]

I have 5 kids that play in the band (our school starts them at 4th grade) and they all love it! Two play clarinet, two play coronet, and one plays trombone. It can get awfully noisy around here when they practice! I don't ever have to tell them to practice. In fact, I'm usually telling them to put them up because I can't take it anymore!

 

[Duchie]

My DS is in his second year of oboe. He's one of 5 in the entire MS. It's a hard instrument to learn, but he doesn't sound like a dying cat in his room when he practices any more.

 

[mjkacmom]

Our school offers violin in 4th, band starting in 5th, and they provide the instruments (but are starting to push rent to own). Dd13 chose the flute - it was lightweight. She quit the middle of 6th (twice, because her band director called me after the first time, begging for her to stay), because it was a pullout course, and she was missing math and social studies (she's always been a straight A student, and was stressing). Ds11 took the clarinet last year, and loved it, but might ask to be switched to percussion, after taking drum lessons this summer. I'm sure he'll go on to take it as a class in JH, plus concert choir.

 

[janets]

DS started trombone in 4th grade and just started 6th yesterday. He is one of I think 3 trombone players in the band this year.

We selected it frankly because my niece played trombone for a number of years and was in the wind symphony orchestra and marching band throughout high school. She gave us the trombone she used in middle school and since it was free and I didn't have to put out any money, the trombone it was!

He's actually pretty decent and never practices. I wish he would, since I think he'd be so much better, but I won't force him, as there are enough things I have to be on top of him for that one more is too much. If his band teacher says he needs work then we'll deal with it at home.

I know from my niece that her band years were some of the happiest times in HS and she made some amazing friends there. I so want that for my son, since he's always had trouble making friends (he just thinks differently). So now that he's taking an interest in drama (had a lead in the 5th grade play) and spent the summer in all of the productions at camp, I'm hoping that between band and drama club, he'll find kids like him and have a great year.

Oh, and to all the band directors and music teachers out there....thank you for your dedication to these kids. You do them all such a wonderful service.

 

[hereyago]

Just wanted to update:"
First wanted to thank all the posters who helped with advice, etc.

DD is going to be learning how to play the trombone. SHe will get it next week and we were able to rent it from the school, so it is only 35. 00 for the year as opposed to almost 30 a month.

 

[Cindy B]

I am a middle school band director. Maybe I can help.

Your director should be able to help your student find the instrument that is right for her. I do not pick percussionists until later in the year as well. There's lots of reasons, but trust me, as a percussionist myself it is the worse instrument to start on. I only allow beginners to start on Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet and Trombone. Those instruments set the students up for success. Later I'll choose students to have the opportunity to play Tuba, Percussion, French Horn, Euphonium, and percussion. I hand select those students who I feel will be able to handle the responsibility and have the work ethic to play those instruments. DO NOT start on oboe or french horn...terribly difficult instruments...not for beginners!!

I recommend renting the instrument as well.

BTW, If more than half of the first year band students do not sign up for band the second year that's a red flag to me. Something doesn't sound right about that.

Good luck, PM me if you have more questions.

I will respectfully disagree about oboe.. My son started oboe in 4th grade and it still playing it now in 9th grade. Many of his band directors (elementary, middle and high school band) were thrilled that he did not pick up bad habits from other instruments.

Of course learning oboe has opened up that he can in fact play piano, saxophone and flute if he wanted.