Beginning Band Info for Incoming 6th Graders

updated  8/17/10

Questions? send to gwalls@standard.k12.ca.us

Welcome to all new beginners and their parents! I know many of you are excited about learning how to play an instrument. Hopefully this page will help any questions you might have concerning 6th grade BB. Beginning Band Parents Orientation Meeting on Thursday 8/26 in the band room, 5:30-6:30pm approx. ALSO, NICK RAIL MUSIC and CALIFORNIA KEYBOARDS WILL BE HERE 5PM-7:00PM TO RENT INSTRUMENTS, and sell music books and accessories.

BEGINNING BAND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

(PARENTS:  For lots of good general information, also please visit the various "TIPS" pages listed in the main menu)

WHEN DO I NEED TO HAVE AN INSTRUMENT? Nobody is expected to have an instrument on the first day. Our goal is to have everyone with an instrument by Friday 9/03. Each class will be told when to bring instruments to school for the first time.  NOTE the instrument display night and parents meeting mentioned above.

WHO PROVIDES THE INSTRUMENTS? In most cases, you are expected to provide your own instrument. (see below) We have a limited supply of school-owned instruments. Students currently on free/reduced lunch will have first chance at school flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and trombones. Larger school instruments, such as horns, baritones, tubas, and bass clarinets are available to all interested students. (those with a school instrument reserved should have received a confirmation letter before school ended)  Home practice sets of bells are available if needed.  All drummers must provide their own snare drum.

WHERE SHOULD WE GET AN INSTRUMENT? I strongly suggest you use a MUSIC STORE (see list below). There are a lot of CHEAP instruments available on the internet or in discount stores and warehouses. WARNING! You get what you pay for!!! If something goes wrong with a bargain instrument, you will probably be unable to get it fixed locally and it could take MONTHS to send it somewhere, or it may not be fixable at all!!  Very few beginners buy their first instruments.  All music stores have rent-to-own plans.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT? Rental prices can vary from store to store and depending on instrument you are renting. Please use the phone numbers below and the links page on our website to contact the stores directly and shop around.

I HAVE A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT RESERVED. WHEN DO I GET IT? The first week of school,you will receive an instrument check-out form.You will need to fill it out, get it signed by parent/guardian, and return it along with the $35 fee before you get a school instrument. Checks payable to STANDARD SCHOOL DISTRICT. There will be a lot of instruments to check out during the first week of school so you will need to be patient. We get them out as quickly as possible.

WHAT ABOUT MUSIC BOOKS?  You will need to purchase your own music book at a local music store. Ask for Yamaha Advantage BOOK I. Make sure you know exactly which instrument you are playing because the books are different for each instrument. Call the local stores listed below to find out about cost (usually $8-10). They sometimes run out of certain books, so a phone call before you go down is a good idea. IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM OBTAINING YOUR OWN BOOK, PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP. STORES will have books here at the 8/26 meeting.

CAN I SWITCH INSTRUMENTS IF I DECIDE I LIKE SOMETHING ELSE BETTER?  Switching during the first few weeks of school is not too unusual.  In fact it is sometimes done at the teacher's urging.  But, as we get farther along in the year, switching "to something easier" or to "something I like better" is discouraged. 

CAN I QUIT IF I DON'T LIKE IT? (Parents, please try to insist on band as a full-year commitment!)  Quitting has become far too easy and too big a habit in our society.  Lots of students sometimes feel like quitting, but more times than not, if they just work through it and keep on trying, things work out well. Students, If you really don't like it at the end of the year, then you do not have to sign up for 7th grade band.

WHERE DO I KEEP MY INSTRUMENT AT SCHOOL? ALL instruments are to be brought to the band room in the morning and kept on the assigned shelves. With very few exceptions, Insrtuments are NOT allowed to be left overnight at school. Instrumentsy are NOT allowed to be kept in classrooms. (NOTE: all cases should be labeled with student names)

WHEN DO I COME TO BAND? Schedules will be mailed out on or about 8/20. Band classes will say either MWF (for flutes, clarinets and saxophones) or TuTh (for all other instruments). MWF students will come to band on the first day of school. TuTh students will come on the second day of school. THIS IS A ROTATING SCHEDULE. If you are MWF the first week, you will be TuTh the second week,etc. DO NOT WORRY, you can always check  the Beginning Band Calendar.

IS THERE HOMEWORK IN BEGINNING BAND? YES! It is called practicing! You must practice outside of class a minimum of 15-20 minutes a day, 5-6 days per week.  PARENTS, plase insist on seeing and hearing instruments at home every day!  With few exceptions, beginners are not allowed to leave instruments at school!!!!

ARE THERE TESTS IN BAND? YES, but band tests are PLAYING TESTS. You will have to play certain songs for Mr Walls and/or one of the band aides. If you do not practice, it will be much more difficult for you to pass tests. Tests are pass-fail. Students can try them until they pass them. Grade is based on the total number of tests passed each quarter. Eacg quarter, the # of tests required for an "A" goes up! Many students pass tests their lunch period. Band room is always open for tests taking and/or extra help.

ARE THERE AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES OR PERFORMANCES FOR BEGINNING BAND? Beginning band is a regularly scheduled class held during the school day. There are NO beginning band practices outside of regular school hours. Beginners DO have to attend 2 performances outside of school hours during the year. One is our is "Pancakes and Pops Concert" on Saturday 12/4 and the other one is our annual Spring Concert held in on Thursday May 5, 7pm. There is also one performance during school hours, Friday 5/20 at 9am.

ARE BEGINNERS PART OF THE MARCHING BAND? NO. Our marching band is the Warrior Band which consists of 7-8th graders. (Most 6th graders who complete one year of beginning band will be eligible to join the WB next year). Any announcements you see concerning morning marching practices, competitions or parades applies to to the Warrior Band and Color Guard. (NOTE: there are a very few 6th graders and/or 6th grade beginning band members in Color Guard)

WHAT DO BEGINNERS NEED BESIDE AN INSTRUMENT AND A MUSIC BOOK? (also see note below)

* A portable folding music stand makes home practice much easier for all students!

* A metronome is very important for drummers and highly recommended for all.

* Clarinet and saxophones will need at least 6 reeds to start. Clarinets start on strength #2. Saxophones will need strength #2 1/2. (saxes will need to specify alto or tenor) NO PLASTIC REEDS!!!!

* Clarinet and saxophones will need a pull-thru cleaning swab. ("pad savers" are NOT recommended)

* Saxophones will need a neck strap.

* Clarinet and saxophones will need cork grease

* Clarinet and saxophones will need reed guards.

* Trumpets, Trombones, Horns, Baritones, Tubas will need valve/slide oil and tuning slide grease. (I substitute plain vaseline/petroleum jelly for tuning slide grease)

* Flutes will need a tuning rod and/or a flexible wire-handle cleaning swab.

* In addition to drum and case, drummers will need a practice pad of any type. We will discuss drums and sticks in class.
 

NOTE on Accessories: School Instruments will come with most basics. 2 reeds will be furnished to start. Purchasing additional reeds is your responsibility. As oils run out, purchasing replacements is also your responsibility. For convenience of parents and students, reeds and oils and some other items are on sale in the bandroom. Shining/polishing clothes are sold in stores for most instruments and are strictly optional. Key oil for flute, clarinet and sax is also sold but not really needed for beginners.

MUSIC STORES Please call the stores directly if you have questions on terms, costs, availability, etc.

• Armas Music 322-0851 (Mainly for repairs and accessories)
• California Keyboards 327-5397
• Nick Rail Music ... Colonial Shopping Center - corner of Ming and Stine) 661-412-4942.
• Rosedale Music ... 10715 Rosedale Hwy 661-588-8885...WeLoveMusicLessons@gmail.com
• Also visit our LINKS PAGE on the website for links to local and internet stores

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