6th Grade Instrument Options
In 6th grade the students have the option to switch over to some other instruments to expand the diversity of the instrumentation. Below are listed some of these instruments with links to videos of each. If you are interested in possibly playing one of these instruments please come talk with Mr. D. We only need a select number of people for each instrument and students who switch to these instruments need to demonstrate aptitude and a work ethic that would set them up for success. The school owns most of these instruments and the students would be able to borrow them to use for the year.
Oboe - a double reed instrument with complex fingerings. Flute players usually have the easiest time transitioning to oboe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNBsgfh4UMY
Bassoon - the bass member of the woodwind family and also a double reed. It reads music on the bass clef just like low brass instruments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kmy-hm3ai4
Bass Clarinet - a larger version of the Bb clarinet the students play now. It reads the same notes and has the same fingerings as a Bb clarinet, it just sounds an octave lower. There's really no such thing as a bass clarinet player - just a clarinet player who also plays the bass clarinet. Bass clarinet players would play the bass clarinet in band, but continue to play their Bb clarinet at home and during lessons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSZtX3WHF_E
Tenor Saxophone - reads and fingers notes the same way an alto saxophone does, but is pitched differently. It's larger size and deeper tone make it the middle voice of a saxophone section.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLFQl7KHQ1w
Baritone Saxophone - is the bass instrument in the saxophone family. It's pitched the same as the alto saxophone so it reads and plays the same notes, but one octave lower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx8V4OGIgkk
Horn - is a brass instrument that has a unique tone because you position your right hand in the bell while playing. Because notes are so close together on the horn, players need a good ear and a developed embouchure to play correct pitches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK0UFgnrIqY
Tuba - is the low instrument in a band and reads notes on the bass clef. A euphonium is a small version of a tuba.