Flute
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The flute is the smallest of the
beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year.
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Physical Characteristics:
Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with
NO teardrop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by
being able to focus an extremely small airstream to an exact
location on the tone hole, and the tear-drop-shaped lip will
make it difficult to direct the air so precisely. Flute players
should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed
instrument through a fast musical passage.
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Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting
flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the
fingers.
FLUTE PERSONALITY: Conscientious
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Oboe
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The oboe is
similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using
a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece.
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Physical Characteristics: Students with profound
overbites or underbites would have EXTREME difficulties
producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth
position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at
the same placement.
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Other
Considerations: Because the oboe is such a difficult
instrument to master, only students with high academic
performance records will be considered. Students who choose to
play oboe are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
to take weekly private lessons with an applied
lesson teacher. Private lessons cost around $15.00 per week. Students are required to
maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Reeds
can cost $10-15 each, and with proper care can last 1-2 months.
The financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a
stock of working reeds is that Moore provides oboes for students
for a small rental fee payable to
Moore for routine maintenance.
OBOE PERSONALITY: Studious,
determined |
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Clarinet
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Unlike the
oboe, the clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to
produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a
director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there
are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and
craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for you to
succeed.
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Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet
tone production is the ability to make the chin flat.
Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded
bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the
proper position for tone production.
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Other
Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be
meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a
detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet.
Students who have difficulty remembering a series of
instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are
also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality
reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs around $15.00 and can last (with
proper care) up to 4 months.
CLARINET PERSONALITY:
Focused |
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Bassoon
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The bassoon is
to the oboe what the bass clarinet is to the clarinet. It is the
larger, lower sounding version of the double reed instrument.
However, bassoon students will not play oboe before switching,
instead they will begin on the bassoon itself. |
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Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is okay for
students wishing to play bassoon, however, a student with an
underbite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs is a necessity for
playing bassoon proficiently as well as a medium or greater hand
span.
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Other
Considerations: Like the oboe, the bassoon is a
difficult instrument to master. Students who choose to play
bassoon are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
to take weekly private lessons with an applied
lesson teacher. Private lessons cost around $15.00 per
week. Students are required to
maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Reeds
can cost $10-15 each.
Again, the financial trade-off for having to take lessons and
keep a stock of working reeds is that Moore provides bassoons
for students for a small rental fee
payable to Moore for routine maintenance.
BASSOON PERSONALITY:
Unique |
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Saxophone
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The alto saxophone gives the
impression of being both a brass AND woodwind instrument,
however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto
saxophone (which uses a single reed like the clarinet) is a very
popular instrument like flute.
Students wishing to play saxophone
will start on the clarinet and will be given the opportunity to
switch to saxophone at the end of the first semester.
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Physical Characteristics:
Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a
neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to
sit up completely straight when asked to.
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Other Considerations:
Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working
stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs around
$23.00 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. Alto
Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first
year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax
(based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in
alto saxophone class).
SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY:
Mellow |
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Trumpet
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The trumpet is the
smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is
produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece.
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Physical Characteristics:
While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a trumpet
player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A
slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder
progress on trumpet players come in
all shapes and sizes.
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Other Considerations:
Trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable)
part, therefore students who choose the trumpet should
exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and
demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.
TRUMPET PERSONALITY:
Confident |
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French Horn
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The French horn is the also a
member of the brass family. Its sound is produced by buzzing
into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good
musical ears should consider French Horn.
Students wishing to play French
Horn will start on the trumpet, and will be given the
opportunity to switch to French Horn at the end of the first
semester.
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Physical Characteristics:
While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn
player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A
slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder
progress on French Horn. Because the bell of the French horn
rests on the knee of the player while playing, it is imperative
that a student’s upper torso be long enough to accommodate the
size of the French horn to make good sounds and that players be
able to demonstrate sitting straight up when asked to do so. The
French horn’s keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.
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Other Considerations:
Because of the difficult nature of French horn notes (mentioned
above), students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or
played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good
instrument choice for students who have participated in piano
lessons or honor choir groups. Moore provides French horns for
students for a yearly fee.
Students who choose to play French Horn are
STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to
take weekly private lessons. Private lessons cost around $15.00 per week and
scholarships are available based on financial need and
demonstration of diligent work ethic.
FRENCH HORN
PERSONALITY:
Academic |
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Trombone
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Like the French horn, trombone
players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played
like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped
mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is
not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and
hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location.
Students with good musical ears should consider Trombone.
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Physical Characteristics:
While some might think that trombone players must have long
arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make
it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A
slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would
hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller
lips than average.
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Other Considerations:
Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many
quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.
TROMBONE PERSONALITY:
Analytical |
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Euphonium/Baritone
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The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum)
is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass
family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is
similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet
instead of a slide (like trombone).
Students wishing
to play the euphonium will start on trombone, and then be given
the opportunity to switch at the end of the first semester. |
Physical Characteristics:
Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too
full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a
good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to
reach the valves and students should have an above average lung
capacity.
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Other Considerations:
Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find
the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than
trumpet or French horn. Moore provides euphoniums for students
for a yearly fee, but students
are required to purchase their own mouthpieces.
BARITONE PERSONALITY:
Artistic |
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Tuba
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While many believe the tuba is the
largest instrument in the band and would be hard to physically
manage, the tubas we use for beginners are ¾ size and easy to
handle.
Students wishing to play the
tuba will start on trombone, and then be given the opportunity
to switch at the end of the first semester. |
Physical Characteristics:
Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity.
While the size of the student doesn’t matter TOO much, a long
torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the
tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the edge of their
chair or across the thighs.
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Other Considerations:
The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and
requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers.
Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider
tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be
consistently UIL eligible. Moore provides tubas for students for
a yearly fee, but students are
required to purchase their own mouthpieces.
TUBA PERSONALITY:
Unique |
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Percussion
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Just because you are always
tapping on things does not mean you are a natural percussionist
(drummer). In fact, the percussion section is the most select,
hand-picked section of the band. Only students with the highest
grades, lowest discipline problems, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be
considered for percussion.
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Physical Characteristics:
Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross
and fine motor skills
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Other Considerations:
The study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine,
maracas, claves, among many other instruments.
PERCUSSION
PERSONALITY: Coordinated and Organized |
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