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Middle School Band?????
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<blockquote data-quote="SRL" data-source="post: 194444" data-attributes="member: 701"><p>I was in band all through middle school, high school and college. I've got a baritone player in high school band (including a very competitive marching band such as Star is talking about) and a middle schooler who is a percussionist. Here are some things to consider:</p><p> </p><p>1) Kids will do better on the instrument they like, so unless there's a real reason to counsel them away from an instrument, that's usually the best route to go. </p><p> </p><p>2) Some instruments are simply harder to get started on. Oboe and french horn are a lot tougher, whereas percussion has a lot more immediate gratification. If you have an easily frustrated kid, this is something to put high on your priority list. </p><p> </p><p>3) Talk through what kinds of bands he might be interested in playing--ie my oldest plays baritone which he can play in middle school jazz band but won't be acceptable in high school so he picked up bass guitar as a second instrument. Making a switch later on often requires private lessons.</p><p> </p><p>4) Gender--some instruments tend to draw a lot more of one gender than the other so if your kiddo is sensitive to that, some advance talk might be in order. No hard and fast rules of course but flutes generally attract almost only girls, low brass (especially tubas) more guys, clarinets mostly girls. </p><p> </p><p>5) Brass is generally harder for kids with braces, but still do-able. They used to shift kids with braces away from clarinet but they aren't doing that anymore.</p><p> </p><p>6) If the school doesn't provide instruments, take cost into consideration if your funds are limited. We initially set one kiddo up by purchasing a snare drum and bell set for under $200. The baritone cost $50 to rent so we were forking out $1400 to buy one only a few months down the road. </p><p> </p><p>Star, I have to lol on your take on the marching band. We're just starting this year and it's definitely a family commitment, as well as a 4 letter word WORK. My guy got out of school one Thursday in June and was back at rookie camp the following Tuesday. I'll spare you the details of the rest of the summer but it was big time hours and while I cranked a little about it along the way, now that he's started the school year I can really see the benfits. There's a lot to be said for walking into a large high school already having a place to hang your hat and an established community and a set of goals. I don't think I've ever seen him take so much pride in anything. Another bonus: he had to get his hair cut (off the shoulder, above the eyebrows, and above the ear) and I didn't have to say a word. </p><p> </p><p>No driving across the state line...so far...but I did chaperone the freshman bus on Saturday. Listened to kids belting out Queen songs and got soaking wet in the rain while fetching shoes for a color guard member who forgot them...and then didn't even get to see the band perform. It wasn't the best time I've ever had but it's still beats out the last two weeks of listening to my kids fight over the new drumset!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SRL, post: 194444, member: 701"] I was in band all through middle school, high school and college. I've got a baritone player in high school band (including a very competitive marching band such as Star is talking about) and a middle schooler who is a percussionist. Here are some things to consider: 1) Kids will do better on the instrument they like, so unless there's a real reason to counsel them away from an instrument, that's usually the best route to go. 2) Some instruments are simply harder to get started on. Oboe and french horn are a lot tougher, whereas percussion has a lot more immediate gratification. If you have an easily frustrated kid, this is something to put high on your priority list. 3) Talk through what kinds of bands he might be interested in playing--ie my oldest plays baritone which he can play in middle school jazz band but won't be acceptable in high school so he picked up bass guitar as a second instrument. Making a switch later on often requires private lessons. 4) Gender--some instruments tend to draw a lot more of one gender than the other so if your kiddo is sensitive to that, some advance talk might be in order. No hard and fast rules of course but flutes generally attract almost only girls, low brass (especially tubas) more guys, clarinets mostly girls. 5) Brass is generally harder for kids with braces, but still do-able. They used to shift kids with braces away from clarinet but they aren't doing that anymore. 6) If the school doesn't provide instruments, take cost into consideration if your funds are limited. We initially set one kiddo up by purchasing a snare drum and bell set for under $200. The baritone cost $50 to rent so we were forking out $1400 to buy one only a few months down the road. Star, I have to lol on your take on the marching band. We're just starting this year and it's definitely a family commitment, as well as a 4 letter word WORK. My guy got out of school one Thursday in June and was back at rookie camp the following Tuesday. I'll spare you the details of the rest of the summer but it was big time hours and while I cranked a little about it along the way, now that he's started the school year I can really see the benfits. There's a lot to be said for walking into a large high school already having a place to hang your hat and an established community and a set of goals. I don't think I've ever seen him take so much pride in anything. Another bonus: he had to get his hair cut (off the shoulder, above the eyebrows, and above the ear) and I didn't have to say a word. No driving across the state line...so far...but I did chaperone the freshman bus on Saturday. Listened to kids belting out Queen songs and got soaking wet in the rain while fetching shoes for a color guard member who forgot them...and then didn't even get to see the band perform. It wasn't the best time I've ever had but it's still beats out the last two weeks of listening to my kids fight over the new drumset! [/QUOTE]
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