? for band parents

[MNT568]

My 6th grade DS has signed up for beginning band this year. He has never played an instrument. He has to give the director his 2 choices tomorrow. His first choice is percussion (drum). He is not sure what his 2nd choice should be. These are the options - trumpet, trombone, oboe, clarinet and alto saxophone. Any one have any experience with these instruments? Which would be the best for a beginner? I have NO musical talent, so I am hoping he doesn't take after me.

 

[AprilShowers]

I would think the band director would have explained each instrument, talked about it, the sound it makes, the coordination it takes to play each one, and let the kids kinda "try them out" before they had to make a choice.

DDs' band director did this and it made their choices alot easier. They both picked percussion anyway. There were try-outs for percussion because EVERYONE wants to be a drummer. They are both now drummers in the band.

Good luck with his choice. Beginner band is much harder for the parents (get some ear protection )

 

[golfgal]

Looking down the road I would tell him trombone. There are fewer trombone players so they are in more demand. It isn't the easiest instrument to learn but it is a lot of fun later. DS17 plays the trombone and our 14 year old twins play alto sax.

I am surprised that the band director didn't have them try instruments to see which ones fit them the best.

 

[RitaZ.]

At my children's school, the band teacher had instrument fitting sessions where each student got to try out various instruments. Each student received a rating of 1 through 5 on each trial, then were given instrument choices based on that. DS was given 3 choices: trombone, trumpet and flute. He chose the trombone.

My middle child is the only one that has shown interest in joining band and did so this year. I have to purchase some ear plugs the next time I go to Target. Oh joy!

 

[MaumeeMom]

ooops! Double post, sorry!

 

[MaumeeMom]

Looking down the road I would tell him trombone. There are fewer trombone players so they are in more demand. It isn't the easiest instrument to learn but it is a lot of fun later. DS17 plays the trombone and our 14 year old twins play alto sax.

I am surprised that the band director didn't have them try instruments to see which ones fit them the best.

One of the reasons my DS picked the trombone was the lack of others who play so it is easier to get a scholarship if they are good at it, and DS is very good. To be honest with you, the trombone is a big PITA! If we had to pick again, I would go for portability.

Good luck!

 

[golfgal]

One of the reasons my DS picked the trombone was the lack of others who play so it is easier to get a scholarship if they are good at it, and DS is very good. To be honest with you, the trombone is a big PIA! If we had to pick again, I would go for portability.

Good luck!

I know, I know. DS17 was the smallest kid in the class when he started band. He had to use his foot to get the spit valve. The case was almost as tall as he was. It is a pain, but, there aren't many trombone players out there.

OP, just another thing to consider- oboes and alto saxs are EXPENSIVE. Our twins' beginning saxes cost almost as much as DS's VERY NICE upgraded trombone. You also have reeds to buy and pads to fix with the woodwinds so just another thing to keep in mind. The trumpet and trombone are one of the less expensive beginner instruments.

 

[clori]

I played the clarinet and the oboe. Honestly the oboe isn't a great beginner instrument. A good one is pretty expensive and the student ones seem to need lots of tune ups etc. Oh according to my parents the squeaks on the oboe are a lot worse than a beginner clarinet player. The clarinet is fine for a beginner.

 

[clgwli]

Personally I would pick trombone. They are one of the easier to get a decent sound out of. It can be harder due to learning positions and not fingerings, but I found it to be fairly easy if you have a good ear. Trumpets are actually much harder (IMO) to become good on and there are usually an overload of trumpets in schools. The other pick I would consider would be saxophone. I liked playing them a lot. Oboe to me is very hard. I will be honest in that at least when I played there were not a whole lot of male clarinet players. Along with flute they are not well recieved by a lot of guys

So for me I would definitely do trombone as a 2nd choice unless he likes the idea of sax. Both instruments are great ones to learn on and possibly move on to other brass or saxophone types later on.

 

[MNT568]

The director had the older kids demonstrate the instruments. He is leaning toward the trumpet as his 2nd choice but I thought the Saxophone might be better.

 

[look1angel]

All 3 of mine were in band so I am a very proud (Past) band parent. The band director allowed my kids to choose & then he tested them (they never played before either) I should mentioned they started to learn to read music with the recorder.

My oldest chose Alto Sax (why I don't know, it was such a huge instrument to carry around wish she had chosen the clairinet) He tested to see if it fit her & 4 years of HS she played in the marching band & concert band even went on to be 1st chair & second leutinent

My son played bells & drums & he was a natural...he even taught in his junior year & eventually became Captain (the girls go gaga over the male drummers because they're so "cool")

My youngest played flute during concert season & was on the flag team during marching season.

In 2002 the 2 youngest marched in the Magic Kingdom Parade

Find out where his passion lies & go from there. Good luck future band parent!

 

[MNT568]

Thanks for all your answers! My DS said that only 4 kids said they wanted drums, so hopefully he will get drums. He has decided go with trumpet for his second choice. He will tell the director tomorrow in school and then we will find out Friday night what he gets. I hope he gets drums.