beginband

The Violin is the smallest, and is therefore the highest in pitch. It is also the most popular. It is played with the instrument under the chin while sitting or standing, and its small size makes it easily transporable.

The Viola is very similar to the violin, only slightly larger, and slightly lower in pitch. It may be played while sitting or standing, and it's tone is regarded as mellow and sweet. Like the violin, it is easily transportable.

The Cello is much larger and lower than the viola, and must be played while sitting with the instrument between the knees. Fortunately, cellos are made for students of all sizes.

The String Bass is the largest and lowest string instrument in the orchestra. It is played while standing or sitting on a stool. It is also made different sizes so that any size student can do well on the bass.

The Trumpet and Cornet are two different instruments but their differences are so trivial, beginning band teachers don´t distinguish between the two. These instruments are the highest and smallest members of the brass family.

The French Horn is a brass instrument somewhat larger than a trumpet so it’s pitched lower. It´s a beautiful sounding instrument but beginners should be aware of a serious difficulty with learning to play the French Horn.

The Trombone, unlike the French Horn and Trumpet is considered 'low brass' and reads from the bass clef, opposed to the higher treble clef that is read by the higher instruments. The trombone is a brass instrument with a unique feature. Rather than valves or keys that are pushed with the fingertips, the trombone uses a slide to change pitches.

The Baritone and Euphonium are two seperate instruments but the difference is minor and not important for a beginning band student. A baritone or euphonium can be considered a double sized trumpet or a half sized tuba.

The Tuba and Sousaphone are two seperate instruments but the difference is minor and not important for a beginning band student. They are the largest and lowest instruments of the brass family.

The Flute is a member of the woodwind family even though it´s made of metal. It´s the smallest instrument in the band and easily fits into backpack or locker.

While most Clarinets are made of plastic, professional clarinets are made of wood. The clarinet is slightly larger than a flute but it is still a small instrument to carry. Making a sound on the clarinet is fairly easy. It´s also a good instrument for students who haven´t developed a strong sense of pitch or have difficulty singing the correct notes.

The largest member of the woodwind family is the Saxophone. Saxophones, which are made of metal, come in four sizes. The appropriate size for beginners is called the "alto" saxophone.

The Bells are a percussion instrument. Sound is created by striking pieces of metal with a plastic or wood mallet. The notes are configured like a piano keyboard and usually have the names of the notes printed on each bar.

The Snare Drum is the smallest drum in the percussion section. This is the most popular drum and is used in nearly all styles of music. For beginners, practice pads are often used to dampen the offensive sound.