SCHOOL BAND & STRING INSTRUMENTS

 Playing the flute can be challenging but so rewarding for our young students. The flute is generally regarded as one of the trickier band instruments to get started on. But after the first term or so, you'll be so glad you stuck with it!  

What You Need to know:

• Flutes produce a sound when air is blown across the head joint. Different pitches are created by opening and closing the different air holes with your fingers.
• Your flute comes in 3 parts. You need to be super careful when putting it together
• It's important to clean your flute regularly so that it stays clean and hygienic

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• Remember to wipe down your flute after each use
• You'll need a cleaning rod & cloth, as well as a polishing cloth to keep your flute spick and span - don't forget to wash the cloths regularly!
• Use your cleaning rod and cloth to clean the inside of your flute after each use - this will keep it hygienic and germ free
• Regularly give your flute a polish to keep it shiny and perfect!

Any Ongoing Costs?

• All instruments need regular servicing by a specialist technician (every 1-2 years)
• As long as you keep your cleaning rod & cloth, and your polishing cloth close by you won't need to purchase anything extra to keep your flute up to scratch

 Playing the saxophone can be challenging but so rewarding for our young students. Saxophones are quite large and can get heavy, so it's a good idea to make sure you're strong enough to carry it around (if it does get a bit heavy, you can always purchase a harness for extra support while you're playing)

What You Need to know:

• Saxophone use reeds, which together with the mouthpiece, help to produce the sound.
• Your saxophone comes in 2 parts. You need to be super careful when you're putting it together! 
• Reeds can break easily and they will need to be replaced regularly - especially when you're just starting out. It's a good idea to keep a few spares in your instrument case 
• It's important to clean your saxophone & mouthpiece regularly, in order to keep them hygienic and germ free

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• Your saxophone should be wiped down regularly.
• You'll need a 'pull through' to keep the inside of your saxophone clean and fresh - don't forget to wash this regularly, this will keep it hygienic and germ free!
• Reeds get dirty and they can break easily too. You'll need to change them regularly

Any Ongoing Costs?

• All instruments need regular servicing by a specialist technician (every 1-2 years)
• You'll need to replace your reeds regularly, especially when you're just starting out. You can get a 3 pack of saxophone reeds for about $25
• As long as you wash your 'Pull through' regularly (and don't lose it!), you shouldn't need to replace this very often - maybe  a new one every few years

All About Reeds:

• Reeds can break easily, and they also get dirty so they need to be replaced regularly, especially at the beginning.
• While it can vary, beginner students often go through 3-4 reeds per month.
• Reeds come in different sizes. Beginners usually stay on size 1-1.5 for the first 12 months of playing

 Playing the trombone in an ensemble is super cool.  You get to play some really cool low notes. You'll need long arms to stretch right out, so make sure yours are long enough!

What You Need to know:

• The trombone gets to play some super cool low notes in the band 
• The trombone has a slide which helps to change the notes, but mostly you use your lips & mouth (embouchure) to change the sound of the notes
• It's important to clean your trombone & mouthpiece regularly, in order to keep them hygienic and germ free

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• Polish your trombone to keep it shiny and new
• Clean your mouthpiece regularly with some warm soapy water
• Keep your slide oiled regularly, so it doesn't seize up

Any Ongoing Costs?

• All instruments need regular servicing by a specialist technician (every 1-2 years)
• Slide Cream should be used regularly to keep your valves moving. A small tube (approx $10) should last about a year

Playing drums/percussion in band is different to playing the drum kit alone. Drums & percussion instruments  are an essential part of the band as they provide the rhythm and the beat for all other musicians to follow. 

Percussion players in a band are often busy playing independent parts, and so students will need to be confident in doing things by themselves. They will have a variety of equipment to use, and must be great team players, as they are the 'heart beat of the band'!

What you need to know:

• Playing Percussion/Drums in the band involves the use of all percussion instruments (triangle, cymbals, shakers etc), as well as the drum kit.
• There is usually only one drum kit used during rehearsals and performances  at school. Students will take it turns on the drum kit, and will have other percussion instruments to play at other times. There is plenty of equipment, and always something to do!

Instrument Requirements:

• You must have your own drum kit at home for practise (traditional acoustic, or electric).
• You will use the school drum kit and equipment during rehearsals and performances.
• Students must bring their own sticks to school for rehearsals and lessons.

 Playing the keyboard in band is different to playing the piano at home. Keyboard is a great addition to any school band as they can play all the different musical parts, both treble (higher notes), & bass (lower notes).

School band music is not usually written as a two hand piano part. For this reason, students will play either a right hand part, or a left hand part. As students progress, the parts may vary, and the conductor may assign a left or right hand part, depending on what the band needs for a particular piece of music.

It can be lots of fun playing with your friends in an ensemble setting, and while this has it's challenges, it can also be a valuable and rewarding experience.

What you need to know:

• There are only 2 keyboard positions in the Junior Band. This is because each school only has 1 or 2 keyboards for the band to use for rehearsals and performances. 
• The keyboard players in the band are often given the music for a bass instrument (the bass guitar or trombone sheet music and/or book), this music is more accessible for our younger keyboard players and it also helps to support the bass section in the band. 
• You may only play just the right or left hand music, and you'll need to be able to read both the treble and the bass clef notes.

Requirements for playing keyboard in band:

• Unlike other instruments in the Junior band, it is ideal if you have some experience already learning piano. Our preference is for students to have had 6-12 months of private piano lessons before joining the school band.
• You need to have your own piano teacher, and be taking regular weekly lessons. DIM does not provide piano lessons at school.

Instrument Requirements:

• You must have your own piano or keyboard at home for practise.
• You will use the school keyboard (including amplifier & leads) during rehearsals and performances.

The cello is a beautiful and versatile instrument. While it's rewarding to learn the cello by yourself, it's even more fun playing it in an ensemble with your friends!

 What You Need to know:

• Cellos come in different sizes, so you need to make sure you're playing on the correct size. You can be sized professionally, or use a SIZING guide to find out the best size for you
• Cellos are quite fragile, so you need to be extra careful when you're handling them.
• You'll need to make sure you have a good quality case, some cases even have wheels!

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• You'll need to keep your cello clean and dust free
• Careful of your bow - don't leave it out where it might be tripped on or damaged

Any Ongoing Costs?

• Strings - strings can break from time to time, so you may need to buy replacements (approx $15/string)
• Rosin - Rosin is used to create friction between the bow hair and the strings, which makes it easier to create a sound. It can break and shatter sometimes so may need to be replaces (approx: $10)