School Musical Instrument Help?

Question

I want to play an instrument when school starts in like,two weeks and I want to make some new friends because its a new school (I moved and now I'm gonna be going to a Junior high,6th grade.)and so I want to join a lot of clubs.I noticed band and I seriously LOVE instruments but I don't know what to play.I have the choice of drums,flute,saxophone,guitar,clarinet,cello,violin,viola,trumpet,french horn.I think I want either a violin or a saxophone,(I think sax.)but can anyone give me their opinion on instruments?Answers Appreciated!Thanks!

Violin is allowed lol

oops I forgot to say that there is band AND orchestra.Sorry.(and chorus but thats different lol)

Of Course I know I have to buy an instrument.

Answer 1

All righty, finally a question I know something about.

Well, if you want to be good fast, then don't choose a string instrument. Many schools don't teach strings because it takes a long time to get good on them.

In my experience, these are how the sections break down-

Flutes tend to be preppy (not me though, heh heh). Very, very, very competitive. Some people can't play because of the amount of air required (most air-demanding instrument, besides piccolo) and their lip shape- if you're lips come to a point, you may not be physically able to play. Good flute players (such as myself) double on piccolo during marching season (i.e. football season) and sometimes during concert season (usually second chair).

Clarinets are the most varied section. The run the gamut from extremely preppy to "emo clarinets," as my band director calls them. Overwhelmingly female. Jokes about clarinets usually say something about them sucking. The starter clarinet is usually the B-flat soprano. Talented clarinetists are sometimes chosen to play bass clarinets.

The oboe section is usually limited to one, two, or sometimes three players per ensemble. Because the oboe is the hardest insrument in the ensemble to tune, good oboe players have an amazing sense of pitch. During marching season, oboe players usually double on another instrument. One of only two double reeds usually found in a school band. Primarily female.

The saxaphone section is stereotyped as being a little strange. For some mysterious reason, all the band directors around here hate saxaphonists. Good saxaphone players may also be in a jazz ensemble, wherein they get lots and lots of solos. Good alto saxaphone players (soprano sax isn't generally used in a school band) may also play the tenor or baritone sax.

The bassoon is the lowest woodwind instrument. The other double reed, its players also usually double during marching season. Those who play bassoon are usually, for some reason, really good. Along with oboes, bassoons have one of the most characteristic sounds in band (which means they can hear themselves on tape).

French horns are... short. Not the instrument, the players. I have no idea why... Predominantly male, French horn players usually have a good sense of pitch. During marching season, French horn players (if the school can afford them) play mellophones (mellaphones?).

Trumpets are known for their ginormous egos. People who play trumpet are drawn to this instrument because a talented trumpet player playing in a high register can cut across an ensemble like nothing else. Good trumpet players are often in jazz bands.

Trombone players are known for being... well, the blackest section in the band, and thus the coolest- LMAO. Loudest instrument in the band. Good players are often in jazz ensembles.

Euphoniums are like little tubas. During marching season, they play a modified version. Usually play the tuba part but up a few notes.

Tubas are the base of the band. Without a strong tuba line, there is no band. During marching season, tubas sometimes play sousaphones, which, depending on the school's budget, can be really, really crappy... (think plastic). Often characterized as being the losers of the band.

The percussion section is what everyone wants to be in, but not everyone can. During marching season, percussionists play either tenors, snares, basses, or are in the pit (the people who sit on the sidelines and play the bells), which sometimes features guitar players. During concert season, they play whatever they director tells them to (in fact, they did a whole trash can thing at last year's Spring concert. During jazz band, percussionists play whatever is required of them, which often includes guitar.

Disclaimer- this is only my experience, not anybody else's.

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend taking guitar. For me, it was just really boring. I personally prefer a brass instrument, but then again, I'm a guy. I think the flute would be a good choice. If you're looking to play saxophone, a good way to ease into it is to start playing clarinet and then move to saxophone.

As a side note for college, colleges will look at instruments played less often. For instance, there are lots of trumpet players that many apply to the school, but there probably aren't that many tuba players. Now, some of the more intriguing instruments are tuba, french horn, and oboe.

Answer 3

The flute! I love it! It might be hard in the beginning, but it has it's benifits. Such as being in the front of the room so you can actually hear the teacher. It sounds so pretty too! And it is not a burden to take from school to your house. The violin is a nice instrument too! I also like the sax, the drums and gutair!

Answer 4

First, are you sure that violin is an option? A lot of schools don't offer string instruments as an option because they don't blend well with a band and the teacher needs special training to teach strings. But if it really is an option, I enjoyed the violin much more than the flute.

Answer 5

In 7th grade at Amphi Jr. High in Tucson they had a music class. The teacher put sheet music with guitar chords on the wall via projector and we sat and played and sang. Over the course of a semester we had opportunity to learn Guitar, Ukelele, precussion, and accordian. Later I took up trombone, which I played in at ASU and still play every year. Music added a lot of meaning to my school life. An interesting survey came out recently. It showed that 83% of individuals making over $150,000 per year "had a music education."

Answer 6

Sax, Horn or Flute may get you more work outside of school since they are more than an orchestral instrument.

You do know you have to buy your one instrument, right.

Answer 7

In schools, violin and violas don't play in the marching or concert band; they play in orchestra. So that's one issue. A stringed instrument is also going to be harder to learn, and they cost more.

Answer 8

I play the flute. just pick an instrument that fits you. good luck

Answer 9

if i where you i would pick flute, sax or clarinet. They are lovely instruments.

Answer 10

Well, I play clarinet and I love it, but I also like flute and saxaphone. If you will be marching, however, I reccomend you dont play saxaphone (heavy)...