Setting the Tone - Info for Parents

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The trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone or euphonium, and tuba. Most beginning band programs start students on one of these.

The flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe and bassoon. Beginning band students most often start on flute, clarinet or alto saxophone.

An instrument’s family depends on how it makes sound, not what it’s made of. The saxophone uses a reed, so it’s a woodwind. The flute is made of metal too, and it’s also a woodwind.

A reed is a thin piece of cane that vibrates to make sound on clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons. Reeds wear out and can chip or crack, so students should keep a few extra in their case.

These are called double reed instruments because they use two reeds tied together instead of one. The oboe sounds high and sweet, and the bassoon sounds low and rich. Band directors sometimes switch students to these after they’ve played for a year or two.

Yes. We help players try out many instruments to find the one that works for them. Our staff can also help families who aren’t sure which instrument their school program requires, and walk you through the different instrument families.