| From selecting the right instrument to | | | | Students who also wish to participate in |
| learning to read music, being in band can | | | | sports may experience schedule conflicts if |
| enhance a student's education. Even children | | | | they sign up for band. Both sports and band |
| with no musical background can join their | | | | are time consuming activities. Before a |
| school's band. How is this possible? It's | | | | student registers for band, his or her |
| because all the basic aspects of playing a | | | | parents need to consider the child's other |
| musical instrument and reading musical | | | | needs and activities, including studying and |
| notation are taught at school. No one can | | | | time for fun. Like other music courses, band |
| predict whether a child will have musical | | | | is an elective. In addition to the time spent |
| ability, but even those whose parents are not | | | | in class, students will also be expected to |
| musical have a chance of success. The most | | | | attend rehearsals and performances outside of |
| important factors in whether a child will do | | | | school hours. |
| well are regular practicing and desire. | | | | |
| | | | Sheet music is the road map |
| Finding an instrument | | | | |
| | | | Learning to read music is an important part |
| Selecting the right instrument is an | | | | of the band experience. The songs to be |
| important part of joining a band class. Band | | | | played are written in musical notation on |
| directors will consider the student's | | | | paper which is called sheet music. The way |
| preferences, musical aptitude and physical | | | | the information is put on the page determines |
| characteristics before recommending the most | | | | what notes will be played, for how long and |
| appropriate band instruments for each | | | | how loudly. |
| student. The flute, clarinet, saxophone, | | | | |
| trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, | | | | The composer records his intentions on the |
| tuba and percussion are good choices for | | | | sheet music and the conductor leads the |
| beginners. | | | | musicians in the proper interpretation of |
| | | | those intentions. Not every conductor sees |
| Band instruments can be purchased from local | | | | the music the same way. Recordings of the |
| musical instrument dealers or online. Prices | | | | same music by different conductors will have |
| vary widely depending on the level of | | | | subtle variations in the way the music is |
| quality. Beginners should select lower | | | | played even though the sheet music used was |
| priced, entry level instruments. Upgrading to | | | | the same. |
| better quality instruments should the | | | | |
| students have a gift for music can always be | | | | While musicians may have their own ideas |
| done later. Those with a strong interest in | | | | about how to play the music, when they are in |
| improving their skills can take private music | | | | a band, they are expected to follow the |
| lessons to supplement the school instruction. | | | | directions of the conductor. If all the |
| | | | musicians went their own ways, the audience |
| Band can be time consuming | | | | would hear a mishmash of sound instead of |
| | | | music. |