• Instrument Selection Guide  

    Flute 
    Physical Characteristics:
    Flute tones are produced by directing an extremely focused air stream across the embouchure hole.  Flute players should have a slight "frown" to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. A tear-drop shaped lip can make it difficult to directo the air precisely enough.  Flute players should have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through fast musical passages.
    FLUTE PERSONALITY:  Conscientious
    Flute
    Oboe   Lessons Required
    The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it has a "double reed" instead of a single reed and mouthpiece.
    Physical Characteristics:
    Students with profound overbites or underbites would have difficulty producing good sounds on the oboe.
    Other Considerations:
    Student with high academic performance recoreds would be goo candidates for the oboe.  Students selected to play the oboe are required to take weekly private lessons with the oboe lesson teacher.  The financial trade-off for the lesson investment is that DISD provides oboes for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year payable to DISD.
    OBOE PERSONALITY:  Studious
    Oboe
    Clarinet
    The clarinet uses a "single  reed" on a mouthpiece to produce the sound.
    Physical Characteristics:
    One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. 
    Other Considerations:
    Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions would do well on clarinet.
    CLARINET PERSONALITY:  Focused
    Clarinet
    Bassoon   Lessons Required
    The bassoon is the larger, lower sounding "double reed" instrument.
    Physical Characteristics:
    Agile thumbs are helpful in bassoon playing, as well as a medium or greater hand span.
    Other Considerations:
    Students with high academic performance records would be good candidates for the bassoon.  Students selected to play the bassoon are require to take weekly private lessons with the bassoon lesson teacher.  The funancial trade-off for the lesson investment is that DISD provides bassoons for students at a cost of $100 rental for the entire school year payable to DISD.
    BASSOON PERSONALITY: Serious
    Bassoon
    Saxophone
    The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass and a woodwind instrument; however it is indeed in the woodwind family.  The alto saxophone uses a single reed like the clarinet.
    Considerations:
    Alto Saxophones students will have the opportunity after the first year of instruction to audition for Tenor or Baritone Saxophone.  Saxophone class has a limited enrollment.
    SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY: Mellow
    Saxophone
    Cornet/Trumpet
    The sound on cornet/trumpet is produced by "buzzing" the lips into a mouthpiece.  Students who choose and are selected to play cornet/trumpet will begin on a cornet (smaller in size) and "graduate" into a trumpet upon the completion of the first year.
    Physical Characteristics:
    While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a cornet/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 cornet/trumpet. 
    Other Considerations:
    Cornet/trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, thereofre trumpet students should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.
    TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident
    Cornet
    French Horn
    The French Horn is a member of the brass family.  Its sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet.  Students with good musical ear for hearing pitches (such as Honor Choir students) should consider French Horn.
    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 under bite can severely hinder progress on French Horn.
    Other Considerations:
    Because of the nature of French horn notes, horn student should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  This is an excellent instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups.   DISD provides French horns for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year payable payable to DISD.
    FRENCH HORN PERSONALITY: Academic
    French Horn
    Trombone
    Like the French horn, trombone players should have good "musical ears" for pitch.  The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped moutnpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves.
    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.  Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average. 
    Other Considerations:
    Because of the nature of French horn notes, horn student should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  This is an excellent instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. 
    TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical
    trombone
    Euphonium/Baritone 
    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 verions 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).
    Physical Characteristics:
    Euphonium players should have moderately full lips. Euphoniums players need a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves.
    Other Considerations:
    Because of the nature of Euphonium notes, horn student should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  This is an excellent instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. Students with orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comforable than trumpet or French horn.   DISD provides euphuniums for students at a cost of $100 for an entire school year payable to DISD.
    EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY: Artistic
     
    Euphonium
    Tuba 
    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 3/4 size and easy to handle.
    Physical Characteristics:
    Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity.  Tuba players come in all shapes and sizes
    Other Considerations:
    The tuba section provides the foundation for the sound of the band.  When the tuba section sounds good, the whole band sounds good!  Because of the nature of Euphonium notes, horn student should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  This is an excellent instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. DISD provides euphuniums for students at a cost of $100 for an entire school year payable to DISD.
    EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY: Unique
    tuba
    Percussion
    The percussion section is the most select, hand-picked, section of the band.  Many students express an interest in percussion, but the enrollment is limited.  Grades, behavior and coordination skills will be considered in selecting percussionists.
    Physical Characteristics:
    Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills.  They should be able to listen to and follow a series of instructions.  Percussionists must be able to organize their equipment and belonging in an orderly fashion.  Prior musical training is preferred but not required. 
    Other Considerations:
    The study of percussion includes bells, xylophone, marimba, snare drum, bass drum, triangle, tambourine and timpani among many other instruments.
    IMPORTANT:  Students interested in percussion must have an interview with the percussion instructor in the Harpool Band Hall.  Student who do not schedule and attend an interview will NOT be considered for percussion.  Enrollment in the percussion class is limited.
    PERCUSSION PERSONALITY: Coordinated & Organized
    percussion
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Last Modified on April 9, 2013