Transcript Welcome to Elementary Instrumental Music!!!

Welcome to Elementary
Instrumental Music!!!
6th Grade School Year In Brief
 Lessons
 Large Group Instruction/Rehearsals
 Practice
 Private Lessons
Lessons
 Core instruction during 1st year on instrument
 Required for participation
 During school day (except St. Peters)
 30 minutes, once per week
 Like-instrument groups
St. Peters Lessons
 Early morning (7:30 and 8:00)
 Held at one of the ISD #831
elementary schools in Forest Lake
 Parents responsible for transportation to
and from
Large Group
Instruction/Rehearsals
 One large group rehearsal each week
 Begin the last week of October or 1st week of
November
 St. Peters students bused to rehearsal:
transportation home provided by parents
 Location TBA
 Rehearsals continue throughout school year
Practice
 Minimum 2 1/2 hours of practice per week
necessary for normal progress
 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week
 Please take seriously, practice minutes are part
of your grade!!!
 More practice = more enjoyment & achievement!
Private Lessons
 Private lessons encouraged if possible
 Make sure the instructor has experience with
beginning instrumental students
 This will ensure that lessons will be structured with
compatible activities for your child’s instrument
lesson material
Success on an instrument is
determined by the desire to
succeed & the motivation to
practice consistently.
How will my child select
the proper instrument?
Factors for Determining
Instrument Selection
 Student’s physical characteristics
 Sense of pitch and rhythm
 1st sound the student is able to make on an instrument
 Number of students playing each instrument
 Balanced instrumentation key to success of program
 Student’s personal choice
 Student’s disposition and reaction to challenges
Determining the Right
Orchestra Instrument
 There are a few physical characteristics which
factor into a student’s choice of string
instrument
 Graduated sizes to fit child’s growing body
 Families who own full size instruments will
probably need to rent smaller instrument until
child grows into larger size
 Important for all string players to have
excellent sense of pitch, finger, and arm
coordination
Orchestra Instruments
 Violin
 Viola
 Cello
 Bass
Violin
Viola
Cello
String Bass
Band Instruments
 Flute
 Oboe
 Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
 Alto, Tenor, and Bari Saxophone
 Trumpet
 French Horn
 Trombone
 Baritone
 Tuba
 Percussion
Flute
Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Saxophone
Alto
Tenor
Baritone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion
Where Do I Find an
Instrument?
 Recommended that all beginning instrumental students
rent an instrument for an initial trial period rather than
purchasing the instrument right away
 Most music stores have rental programs with an option
to buy at end of the trial period
 ONLY PURCHASE INSTRUMENTS FROM A REPUTABLE
MUSIC STORE!!!
 Purchases from other sources may result in an inferior
product
3 Options for Obtaining an
Instrument
 Renting
 You already own an instrument
 School-Owned
Renting an Instrument
 Reserve instrument by completing
rental agreement on evening of display
Or
 Complete agreement sometime before
school begins
 This ensures instrument will be available in
time for the 1st lesson
If You Already Own an
Instrument
 Make sure your instrument is in good
playing condition
 Older instruments often need
reconditioning
 Have music store inspect instrument’s
playing condition before school begins
School-Owned
Instruments
Options:
Band
 Bass Clarinet
 French Horn
 Baritone
 Tuba
Orchestra
String Bass
 Limited number available
 Repair charges for extra ordinary damage due
to student carelessness or abuse responsibility
of the student and his/her parents
Band School-Owned
Instruments
 For the 2008-2009 school year, a $75
maintenance fee charged
 Check to “ISD 831”
 Contract must be completed and turned
in with check in order to receive
instrument at 1st lesson
Orchestra School-Owned
String Basses
 2 string basses are necessary
 1 for home use ($75 if rented from school)
 1 for school use ($10)
 Due to the limited number of school-
owned basses, renting from a music
store is highly recommended
Smart Music
What is Smart Music?
 The essential practice tool for musicians
 SmartMusic is an interactive, computer-based
practice tool for musicians. Challenging exercises,
instant feedback tools, and more than 30,000
accompaniments make SmartMusic an essential
part of your practice sessions.
 You’ll never practice alone
 SmartMusic accompanies you while you
practice. Your performance improves faster
because practicing is more productive and fun.
How Does Smart Music
Work?
 With SmartMusic loaded on a computer,
students plug in a vocal or instrumental
microphone and begin practicing.
 They play or sing their part with
accompaniment and receive, in real time on
the computer, detailed feedback on their
performance. Ideal for woodwind, brass,
string, and vocal musicians of all levels.
 SmartMusic is your instant backup band that
makes practicing fun!
Cost
 $25 a year
 Instrumental teacher gives each
student a code to use when buy
the subscription and microphone at
www.smartmusic.com
 CDs and accessories will be mailed
directly to you (shipping charges
apply)
Smart Music Testimony
 "SmartMusic helped me with my sight-
reading. It makes it easier to hear the
music." -- Alexandra, 6th grade
 "SmartMusic changed the whole band
experience for me. It's more fun." -Katherine, 9th grade
 For more information, visit
www.smartmusic.com
THE END!!!