Steps To Success
New to music? Check out our Steps To Success program, designed with students (and parents) like you in mind, to help walk you through the process.
Step 1: Selecting an Instrument
Selecting an instrument is the first step in the exciting journey of music enjoyment. Students joining the school orchestra can choose from violin, viola, cello, or string bass, while students joining the school band can usually choose from flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. After learning some basic skills on these instruments, students may have the option to switch to other instruments.
Students and parents should take three things into consideration when choosing an instrument:
What instrument(s) the student desires to play,
The student's physical make up, and
The band's or orchestra's instrumental needs.
After more than 30 years in music education, the staff of R.E.W. has found that students will be most successful in orchestra or band if they are playing the instrument they really want to play. However, sometimes a student is just not built to play a particular instrument. If this is the case, it is best to try another instrument.
I want to play in Orchestra/Strings
Still not sure what you want to play? Schedule an appointment to have a trained and knowledgable R.E.W. staff member help you try some instruments to see which is the best fit for you!
Step 2: Obtaining an Instrument
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Violin is the highest pitched instrument in the orchestra. It is held under the left side of the chin and played by either plucking the strings or drawing the bow across the strings. |
Viola
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Viola is the second highest pitched instrument in the orchestra. It looks very similar to violin but is slightly bigger. It is played the same way as violin. |
Cello
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Cello is the next lowest pitched instrument in the orchestra. The cello is cradled between the knees and rests on the left shoulder. It is played by either plucking the strings or drawing the bow across the strings. |
String Bass
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String Bass is the lowest pitched instrument in the orchestra. The player stands or sits on a tall stool and holds the bass up with the left hand while bowing or plucking the strings with the right hand. |
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Flute is the highest pitched instrument in beginning band. It is held out to the right of the body with only the headjoint in front of the player's head. It is played by blowing across the hole in the head joint. Some students are not built to play flute. If your student's top lip has more flesh in the center, he/she may have a very difficult time playing flute. |
Clarinet
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Clarinet is a woodwind instrument in the beginning band. If a player's ultimate goal is to play saxophone, they will typically start on clarinet (although some may start on Flute). Clarinet is played by placing the mouthpiece and reed inside the player's mouth and blowing, causing the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece. |
Trumpet
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Trumpet is the top pitched brass instrument in band. In order to play trumpet, the player buzzes his/her lips together while the mouthpiece is resting on the lips. |
Trombone
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Trombone is usually the lowest pitched instrument in the beginning band. Sound is achieved the same way as a trumpet, but instead of having valves to change the pitch, the trombone has a slide. |
Percussion
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In most beginning band programs, percussionists play bells. After one or two semesters on bells, percussionists will begin to learn snare drum. In many school districts percussionists must have two years of piano lessons or one year of percussion lessons before they are allowed to join the school band, or there is a limit on the number of percussionists a school will take. Percussion is a popular instrument and schools set these guidelines to help achieve better balance within the band. |