One of the most frequently asked questions about beginning band is "When do we get to play?"

Learning to play an instrument is fun and exciting, and like any new skill, moves slow at the beginning. It is important to understand that you won't play like a professional after the first week. It takes practice to gain skill on an instrument--for beginners we recommend 20 minutes of practice outside of class per day.

Band classes are considerably larger in most cases than a normal classroom, so the first few days of band involve making sure everyone has the appropriate equipment, and making sure everyone is in the correct class.

Students will learn to:

1. assemble their instrument
2. sit correctly with the instrument (posture)
3. breathe correctly
4. embouchure and tone production
5. hold their instrument correctly

...and the list goes on. Once the students understand these fundamentals we can begin playing the instruments.

Usually by the second week of school students begin making basic sounds on mouthpieces. As the year progresses students play more challenging music that facilitates higher skill levels on their instruments.

Learning to play an instrument is a slow process that requires patience, but can be extremely rewarding and exciting. The knowledge, skill, and friendships your child develops in band will last a lifetime.