Beginning Instrument Rentals
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Band Instruments
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String Instruments
Payments on smaller size instruments apply to the full-size instrument of your choice.
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Alto saxophones are a woodwind instrument that can be found in many different styles of music from jazz to pop to R&B. They are single-reed woodwind instruments made of brass.
Most sax players begin on alto and may eventually learn to also play the tenor, baritone, or soprano saxophone. Alto saxophones may play the melody portion of the music and at other times may play the harmony. They are larger than clarinets and flutes and require the use of a neck strap while playing.
Baritones and euphoniums are brass instruments that play the deeper pitches within the music. The difference between the instruments is the bore shape. Generally, teachers have beginners start with a baritone and later upgrade to a euphonium.
Baritone players often double on playing tuba or trombone too because of similarities between the instruments and mouthpieces.
Many baritone players go on to play marching baritone in the high school marching band.
The bass is the largest and deepest instrument of the orchestral string instruments. It is played by standing behind the instrument in upright position. The player can use a bow to slide across the strings or they can use their fingers to pluck them. It is a somewhat large instrument and many school music directors don’t require students to take them back and forth to and from school.
The bass is used in a large variety of musical styles such as jazz, classical, pop, rock, bluegrass, folk, and country.
Bass clarinets produce a very deep, dark tone. They have one of the largest tonal ranges of any instrument. They can play as low as a bassoon and and high as a soprano clarinet. Bass clarinets can be used in a wide variety of styles from orchestral and classical to jazz and commercial music.
Bass clarinets players often begin on the soprano clarinet, yet also are able to double on saxophones also.
Cellos are bowed string instruments that are an octave lower than violas. They are played by placing them between your knees and plucking or bowing the strings. It can play the melody, harmony, or bass lines of a piece and is popular in many styles of music.
Cellos have a very rich, deep sound that can, at times, be very sad, and other times, upbeat and joyous. It has become a very versatile and popular instrument.
Clarinets are single-reed woodwinds that are an essential part of the band. They produce a very dark, soothing sound and draws the interest of many beginning musicians. Students clarinets are made of plastic, while intermediate and professional clarinets are made from grenadilla wood. Clarinetists most frequently play the melody of a musical piece but can often be assigned the harmony as well.
The flute is a very popular woodwind instrument. It is made of metal and played by holding it to the right side of the players face. It requires no reeds. Sound is made by blowing across a hole in the mouthpiece, similar to blowing across the top of a bottle. Flute players almost always play the melody portion of a piece of music. As flute players progress, they can make an easy transition to the piccolo.
The French horn is often used in musical photographs because of its unique look. It has a curled design and a large, flaring bell. French horns have a very mellow sound which rounds out the sound of the orchestra. It is a brasswind instrument which is played by buzzing your lips into a small cup-shaped mouthpiece. The player’s right hand rests inside the large bell while playing. It uses rotor valves instead of pistons like the trumpet.
Some schools begin their French horn players on trumpet while others begin on the single French horn. Single horns have 3 valves, but eventually French horn players will learn the play the double horn which has 4 valves. French horns are moderately difficult instruments to play but everyone can have success with practice.
The oboe is a double-reed instrument that is made of plastic or wood. It is popular in orchestral, symphonic, film, and traditional music. It has a unique, nasal sound that is often used for the exotic or emotional portions of the music. The oboe section sits in the center of the symphony and is used to tune the other members of the orchestra.
Oboe players might begin on other woodwinds before trying out for oboe. They are moderately difficult because they require a higher level of lip control than single-reed instruments. But anyone can learn to play the oboe with a little practice.
Piccolos are the highest-pitched woodwind instrument in the band. They play an octave higher than the flute and are common in marching and military bands as well as concert and symphonic orchestras. Piccolo players are usually flute players first.
Depending on the application, piccolos can be made of all metal, all wood or plastic, or a combination of a metal headjoint with a wood or plastic body.
Tenor saxes are slightly bigger than the alto sax and therefore play lower notes than the alto. It has a bright but bold sound. Tenor saxes can be recognized by the downward curve of the neck or “gooseneck”. Tenor saxes usually play the harmony portion of the music.
Trombones are unique instruments because the player uses a slide to change pitches. They belong to the brasswind family so sound is made by buzzing your lips into a cup-shaped mouthpiece. Trombones often play the harmony portions of the music but they sometime can play the melody too.
Trombones have the widest range of any orchestral instrument. They are popular in jazz, classical, pop, and marching music.
The trumpet is one of the most versatile and popular instruments. It’s bright and energetic tone adds color and excitement to any piece of music. It is used in jazz, pop, classical, blues, and sometimes even rock music.
The trumpet is a brasswind instrument in which sound is produced by buzzing your lips into a cup-shaped mouthpiece. It often plays the melody of a musical piece but also frequently plays harmony too.
Violas are pitched lower than violins but higher than cellos. Like the violin, they are held between your left shoulder and chin and bowing or plucking the strings. Violas can play both the melody or the harmony parts of the music.
Violas come in incremental sizes so younger students begin on smaller instruments and trade up in size as they grow.
Violins are the highest-pitched instruments of the string family. They are played by holding the instrument between your left shoulder and shin and bowing or plucking the strings.
Violins are versatile and popular in almost every type of music. When violins are used in country or folk music, they are called “fiddles”.
Violins come in incremental sizes so younger students begin on smaller instruments and trade up in size as they grow.
Bell kits/percussion kits include a 2.5 octave, xylophone-style bell set with metal bars, a practice pad for practicing snare drum sticking patterns, sticks, mallet, stand, and case with a rolling cart.
Percussion instruments are relatively easy to learn and most students will eventually learn to play a broad range of percussion instruments. Playing the bell kit ensures that percussionists learn to play and read pitch as well as rhythm notation.
Drums and percussion are popular choices for aspiring musicians. They are versatile, energetic, and relatively easy to learn. Snare kits include the snare drum, stand, sticks, mute, tuning key, and case with a rolling cart.
Most drum and percussion students will eventually learn to play a broad range of percussion instruments. Drums are one of the most exciting and prominent pieces of the marching bands.
A combo percussion kit includes the contents of a bell kit and a snare kit all in one unit. They are relativity heavy so they come with a case on a rolling cart.
Percussion instruments are relatively easy to learn and most students will eventually learn to play a broad range of percussion instruments. Playing the bell kit ensures that percussionists learn to play and read pitch as well as rhythm notation.