I currently play bass on my drumline in high school and most likely will play snare next year. Our line is ok but we aren't all hardcore and we are HORRID at reading music. I have been looking at college drumlines and I don't think I can make it. So I am considering switching instruments maybe mellophone or trumpet? What do you think I should do? What is an "easier" instrument I can learn?
2006-11-14 12:43:41 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
You should talk with your band director and try out a few different instruments. A lot of people find brass instruments (particularly baritone and bass horns) fairly easy to learn, particularly since all the notes are some combination of only three valves. The problem comes in when you have to be able to change the notes with the muscles around your lips - and that may or may not work out for you. You really just need to try some different things to find out what's the best fit for you.
Good luck to you!
2006-11-14 12:47:19 · answer #1 · answered by Vicki D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure if you are talking marching band or just regular band. (I am in both, well I am in Wind Ensemble and not band) Being as that you have been playing in the percussion section I would go for the trumpet. The fingerings are said to be easier than the other brass instruments. The trumpet also holds many of the same fingerings or fingerings of the same ilk for the other brass instruments. So if you want you could start out on the trumpet and eventually progress to other instruments. (That could be very impressive to colleges if you start now and can learn quickly). I know you did not mention any woodwind instrument. Yet if you do consider doing a woodwind instrument start off with the clarinet since like the trumpet the clarinet has fingerings that make it easy to learn other woodwind instruments like the saxophone and oboe.
Best of luck with your music and college selection.
Sara
2006-11-17 15:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by Sara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go in the direction that is of most interest to you. If you lean towards WW then I'd say any of the saxes are the easiest. If your leaning towards brass I'd recommend trumpet, although your school probably has a lot of trumpets. I'd shy away from mellophone unless you have a real good since of pitch. Your band is probably in need of low brass, I'd suggest baritone.
Again, the most important thing is to work on the instrument that holds the most interest for you.
2006-11-15 02:05:18 · answer #3 · answered by Rick D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't be about whether or not the instrument is easy. Do what you love doing, what you feel is right for you. Maybe you're not so great on the bass now, but do you enjoy it? A musical instrument is something that can be picked up very quickly, if you acquire the right taste for it.
2006-11-14 13:07:00 · answer #4 · answered by celladorametal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do would be to talk to your band director. They would be able to test you out on different instruments to give you the easiest instrument for you to learn. They would also know if they needed more people in a certain section in the band, and you might just be the key player to balance the ensemble sound.
2006-11-14 14:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by leftbehind0290 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stick with the drums. it may seem hard niw, but there really isn't a better instrument to learn if you are already in high school and considering continuing on to college. especially marching band. you will have to work hard but drums do not have all of the components that playing a wind instrument does. you only have to learn how to read rythms and play your drum correctly. for winds you have to learn those two things. plus you have to learn all of the fingerings, how to read music (and notes), tuning, matching pitch, breath control. it really is easier to stick to drums if you already have a fairly good start on them.
2006-11-15 07:39:36 · answer #6 · answered by penny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should switch before you get too use to what you are playing now if you don't like it. Maybe switch to an instrument you will use after school, like a trumpet or saxaphone, you don't see and solo tuba players..lol
I played clarinet in band, and loved it.
2006-11-14 12:57:04 · answer #7 · answered by DeAnna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I play durms. My School doesnt have a drumline but i saw the movie. I suck at reading music but i just keep on practicing like krazy! Why dont you ask for help. You made a commitment to playing the drums, it would be way to hard to switch instraments now! GOOD LUCK dont give up!!
2006-11-14 12:47:04 · answer #8 · answered by Rebecka lovebug 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to play clarinet and I couldn't keep up with those runs and all those fast notes! Things were easier when I switched to Bass Clarinet.
2006-11-14 15:23:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
learn the oboe!!! itll take 5 years before your any good but its so much fun! also since theyre rare scholorship chances are good
2006-11-14 12:58:02 · answer #10 · answered by <><><><> 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋