Carnival of Venice.
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Flute:
The flute is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompaniment.
It is usually used to provide melodies and is occasionally featured as a solo
instrument during band and orchestra performances. Flutes with curved
head joints allow smaller students to learn the flute with greater ease.
Famous Flautists=James Galway (classical), Lauren Zucker (classical),
Karen Jones (classical), Jethro Tull (rock).
If you're interested in the Flute check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals,
New Instruments.
Flute Lessons.
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Intro to "Rhapsody In Blue" by George Gershwin.
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Clarinet
The clarinet is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompaniment.
It provides melodies in band and orchestra performances and is occasionally
used as a solo instrument during those performances. It is closely related
to the saxophone and many musicians that play clarinet can play both. It can
be both powerful and sweet. It is both used to play rapid, intricate pieces
and soft, calming music. Wood clarinets provide a darker, rich sound
while plastic clarinets are great to learn on and are less expensive.
Famous Clarinetists=Benny Goodman (classical and jazz),
Pete Fountain (dixieland), Buddy DeFranco (jazz), Artie Shaw (jazz),
Gervase Depaye (classical), Richard Stolzman (classical).
If you're interested in the Clarinet check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals,
New Instruments.
Clarinet Lessons.
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Saxophone:
The saxophone is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
Generally the Alto Sax is the more common of the different types of saxes for young
beginners because of its size. The Tenor Sax has a deeper sound and is
slightly larger. The Bari Sax is quite large and has a very deep sound.
The soprano sax is the highest pitched of the common saxophones. The straight
soprano was made famous by Kenny G. though curved versions are also popular.
Generally, the Alto or the Tenor are better to learn on.
Famous Saxophonists=Charlie Parker (Alto), Kenny G (Soprano),
John Coltrain (Tenor), Cannonball Aderly (Alto), Stan Getz (Tenor),
Jerry Mulligan (Bari Sax), Sigurd M. Rascher (classical),
Fredrick Hemke (classical), Vincent Abato (classical), Harvey Pittel (classical).
If you're interested in the Sax check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
Sax Lessons.
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Hornpipe from "Water Music" by George Frederic Handel.
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Trumpet:
The trumpet is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
The Trumpet provides melodies in band and orchestra performances and often
solos in both. It is extremely versatile. While the trumpet is often
used in powerful, majestic pieces, with skill it can be played quite softly
for a more lyrical style. If you plan to go into marching band and you do well, you will
probably get many chances to solo in field shows and concerts. If you're
a ham, then this may be the instrument for you.
Famous Trumpeters=Louis Armstrong, Winton Marsailis,
If you're interested in the Trumpet check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals,
New Instruments.
Trumpet Lessons.
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French Horn:
The french horn is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
The French Horn has what many consider one of the most
beautiful and gentle sounds of any instrument and generally provides background
support for bands and orchestras. While it is often difficult to pick out the French Horn from the many sounds in
a band, its absence is felt. Good French Horn players are in great demand
among school and college band and orchestras.
Famous French Hornists=
If you're interested in the French Horn check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
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"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from The Wizard Of Oz.
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Trombone:
The trombone is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
The trombone has a unique slide type sound and generally provides
the rythm and background support for band and orchestras. They also
occasionally solo in bands and orchestras. They are extremely important
in marching bands though rarely found in sets of 76.
Famous Trombonists=Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller.
If you're interested in the Trombone check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals,
New Instruments.
Trombone Lessons.
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Baritone:
The baritone is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
The baritone along with other low brass instruments provide an important
"base" for bands and orchestras. While rarely soloing, baritones are in
demand in music groups due to their deep sound. Many are needed in order
to provide a firm musical base for performance pieces.
Famous Baritonists=
If you're interested in the Baritone check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
Baritone Lessons.
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"A Pirate's Life For Me" from Disneyland's Pirates of the Carribbean.
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Tuba:
The tuba is common in marching bands, symphonic bands,
orchestras, jazz bands,and as a solo instrument usually with Piano accompanyment.
The Tuba has the lowest pitch of all the band instruments. It is essential
in bands and orchestras whether as a marching Sousaphone or as a concert
Euphonium. Due to their large size, young students are usually not suited for the
tuba although many can start out on a little smaller but similar instrument
such as the baritone.
Famous Tuba players=
If you're interested in the Tuba check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
Tuba Lessons.
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"Neat and Metal Shoes."
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Drums:
The drums can be learned in the form of the Snare Drum or the Quads
in marching and concert bands or as a complete drumset for rock, jazz,
pop, gospel, and small group music. Generally drummers can play either
type of style. Drums provide the rythm for a band or orchestra and even
some of the special effects sounds you'll hear.
Famous Drummers=Gene Krupa (Big Band Jazz), Ringo Starr (Rock n Roll),
Phil Collins (Pop), Sheena E (Rock n Roll), Buddy Rich (Big Band Jazz),
Max Roach (jazz).
If you're interested in the Drums check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals.
New Instruments.
Drums Lessons.
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Piano:
The piano is probably the most popular instrument to
learn. While not used in marching bands, concert bands, or orchestras,
the piano is an excellent instrument that can play entire pieces alone,
without any accompaniment. In fact, Pianists are in great demand to
accompany many of the previously mentioned instruments. Pianos are found
almost everywhere. While Pianos are expensive, many students learn
on electric keyboards at home while taking lessons on Piano. Be sure
to talk to one of our sales representatives or teachers in order to find
out the features on electric keyboards that are best suited for Piano students.
Famous Pianists=
Beethoven, Duke Ellington, Liberace.
If you're interested in the Piano check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Piano Lessons.
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Sound Coming Soon! |
Singing:
Singing is a talent that seems easy but can be quite difficult
without proper training. Opera, musicals, rock, jazz, gospel, and
a whole range of small groups use vocalists. Generally, singers are
categorized as sopranos (mostly women capable of singing quite high),
altos (also mostly women with lower pitched voices), tenors (mostly
men capable of singing at a high pitch), and basses (men with lower
pitched voices.
Famous Singers=Sarah Brightman (musicals, opera, soprano), Pavarotti (opera, tenor),
Ella Fitzgeral (jazz), Whitney Houston (pop), N'Sync (rock group),
Paul Robeson (musicals, gospel,bass), Mahalia Jackson (gospel, alto).
If you're interested in learning to sing, check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Voice Lessons.
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Study #3 by Carcassi
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Guitar:
Along with the Piano, the Guitar is extremely popular as a
solo instrument that can be played alone or along with other instruments.
Electric Guitars are more commonly found in rock and jazz groups, the
Steel String Guitar is often used in country, rock, and jazz, and the
Classical Guitar (which has a darker sound)
is most commonly used in classical music. Flamenco, Folk, and
Gospel music also often use Guitars.
Famous Guitarists=Joe Pass (jazz), Wes Montgomery (jazz),
Jimi Hendrix (Rock n Roll), Eric Clapton (Rock n Roll, Classic Rock),
Andres Segovia (classical), Slash (Guns and Roses, Heavy Metal), Chet
Atkins (country western), Carlos Santana (Latino Rock),
Stevie Ray Vaughn (blues,rock).
If you're interested in the Guitar, check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
Guitar Lessons.
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Bass Guitar:
The Bass Guitar is much lower than the regular guitar. It requires
a Bass Amp, and is in demand among small groups. It is pretty much
just as versatile in terms of the variety of styles of music that
use the Bass Guitar
Famous Bass Guitarists=
If you're interested in the Bass Guitar, check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
Bass Guitar Lessons.
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"Canon in D Minor" by Pachebel.
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Violin:
The Violin is an extremely beautiful and challenging instrument.
Not used in marching or concert bands, the Violin is the dominant instrument
in orchestras. The Violin is also featured in Folk and Country music
as well.
Famous Violinists=Itzhak Pearlman (classical),
Yehuti Meniun (classical), Charlie Daniels (fiddle),
If you're interested in the Violin, check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals,
New Instruments.
Violin Lessons.
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Viola:
The Viola is very similar to the Violin but pitches slightly lower.
It is not quite as widely used as the Violin which makes good
Viola Players in demand. They are widely used in Orchestras and
in small string groups such as string quartets
Famous Viola Players=
If you're interested in the Viola check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
Rentals.
New Instruments.
Viola Lessons.
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Sound Coming Soon! |
Cello:
The Cello is also widely used in Orchestras and small string
ensembles. It is also popular as a solo instrument. Cello is
a challenging instrument that is beautiful and in demand.
Famous Cellists=YoYo Ma
If you're interested in the Cello check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
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Sound Coming Soon! |
String Bass:
The String Bass is the lowest sounding of the string instruments
and provides the foundation for orchestras and some small string
ensembles. It is also extremely popular in small jazz groups.
Famous Bass Players=
If you're interested in the Bass check out the following
links for more information on how to start:
New Instruments.
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