Welcome to the instrumental music program at Pueblo! The goal of the

instrumental program is to teach students to play an instrument and to work

together in a positive and engaging atmosphere where EVERY student can learn.

Class time will maximize “engaged” learning time and concepts will be taught

through experience and in many modes in order to meet the varying learning styles

of the students. Students will also be given opportunities to demonstrate

obtained knowledge and to develop their abilities.

Jane Barbe Director of Instrumental Education

480-783-2451

jbarbe@kyrene.org

Confucius

Pueblo

Band and Orchestra

Band and Orchestra should be a fun learning experience! We participate in any engaging

activities, review games, field trips, and concerts throughout the year which are made possible

by students regarding the following behavioral expectations. This ensures that the students

who are behaving do not miss out on these activities due to the poor choices of others.

Students will:

Positively Participate

Display respectful behavior towards the teacher, fellow students, and equipment.

Support the group by practicing at home!

Support the group by having ALL of their materials each day for class! (Including spare reeds for the woodwinds.) Missing any one of their materials will result in a 0 for that

class period. Clean and maintain their instruments so that they are able to play them in class.

Flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and saxophones will swab out their instruments after each playing and be very careful to not drop them or bend their keys.

Clarinets, Saxophones, Oboes, and Bassoons will have 3 working reeds each class so that they can participate.

Trumpets, French Horns, Baritones/Euphoniums, and Tubas will oil their valves and grease their slides twice per week so that they continue to work. Trombones will grease their slide and use a bottle each time that they play so that they do not harm the slide. (See more detailed instrument cleaning & maintenance instructions on my

website and/or in the handbook).

Take pride in the room by cleaning up their area and discarding trash, reeds, etc.

No food or liquid other than water are allowed out in the room, (including Jamba Juice).

Students are expected to take pride in and take of school equipment.

By school policy, no late homework, (for example, practice records), will be accepted.

Lockers are respected and used for instruments, books, and binders only. No liquid, food,

or anything sticky is allowed in the lockers.

Students are expected to only touch their own locks not those of others, including

shutting/locking or switching locks that are not their own.

Students are to touch only their own instruments. Percussion instruments are off limits

for all students except percussionists.

Students will place their backpacks on the designated rack and leave all cases in the

lockers during class.

Objects such as basketballs and other sports equipment and toys will be placed on the

rack and not utilized during class.

Students will be in their seats and ready to work by 3 minutes after the late bell.

CONSEQUENCES

WARNINGS which are meant for disruptive behaviors such as talking, calling out,

making noises, clowning around, playing their instrument when they are to be

listening, getting out of their seat without permission, touching others

instruments, lack of participation, and not being in their seats with their

instrument and music ready to play the warm-up at 3 minutes after the bell.

1. 1st Warning=Yellow Card which states: “You may fix your behavior now. Next

is Time-Out.”

2. 2nd Warning=Green Card which states: “You may go to Time-Out. Next is ISI.”

3. 3rd Warning=Red Card which states: “STOP, pack up, and go to ISI.”

IMMEDIATE ISI (without prior warnings) for disrespectful and/or harmful

behaviors such as: Inappropriate and/or disrespectful comments to the teacher or

classmates, talking back, arguing, climbing in lockers, harmful actions such as

pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting, throwing, etc.

OR or lunch ISI is assigned to a student if they are without any required material

3 times in the same quarter because they cannot participate at the level that is

expected without them. Required materials include: Instrument, 3 Ring Binder,

Protective Sheets, Pencil, Teacher Provided Concert Music, Teacher Provided

Packets and Instrument specific materials such as sticks, mouthpiece or reeds,

LUNCH DETENTION or SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT will be assigned

for gum chewing.

*Parents will be notified via email if their child is sent to ISI or is assigned ASI.

*Students may avoid warnings for helping and/or asking classmates questions by asking the

teachers permission first.

*When working in groups or playing a review game, students will be allowed to talk with other

classmates but will be expected to freeze immediately on when the key word is stated.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Flutes, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, and Oboe

Parents need to purchase: School provides:

BAND BOOK (see below)** Warm-Up & Scale Packets (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

3 Working Reeds (Flutes do not need reeds) Breathing Tube (1 is given to each student by the school each year.)

1/2” - 3 Ring Binder Concert Music (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

2 Pencils (sharpened)

Cork Grease (Saxophones& Clarinets only)

15-20 Plastic Protective Sheets

1 Gallon ziplock (or generic) freezer bag!

INSTRUMENT (You can rent one from local music stores)

Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba

Parents need to purchase: School provides:

BAND BOOK (see below)** Warm-Up & Scale Packets (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

Valve oil (Trumpets, Baritones, Tubas, French Horns ONLY) Breathing Tube (1 is given to each student by the school each year.)

Slide Grease (Trombones ONLY) Concert Music (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

Small Squirt bottle for water (Trombones ONLY)

15-20 Protective Sheets

1/2” - 3 Ring Binder

2 Pencils (sharpened)

1 Gallon Ziploc (or generic) freezer bag!

Instrument (You can rent one from local music stores)

PERCUSSION (Drums)

Parents need to purchase: School provides:

BAND BOOK (see below)** Warm-Up & Scale Packets (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

1 pair of DRUM STICKS Concert Music (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

Bell Kit and Drum Practice Pad (Rent)

1/2” - 3 Ring Binder

15-20 Protective Sheets

2 Pencils (sharpened)

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Parents need to purchase: School provides:

ORCHESTRA BOOK (see below)** Concert Music (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

Shoulder Rest (REQUIRED for Violins & Violas!) Warm-Up & Scale Packets (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

You can buy an Everrest Chin Rest for $10 or less @ a local music store.

Rosin!

1/2” - 3 Ring Binder

15-20 Protective Sheets

2 Pencils (sharpened)

**BAND & ORCHESTRA BOOKS **

6th Grade Band- Accent on Achievement-Book 1 6th Grade ORCHESTRA- Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 7th Grade Band- Accent on Achievement-Book 2 7th Grade ORCHESTRA- Essential Elements 2000 Book 2 8th Grade Band- Essential Technique 2000- Book 3 8th Grade ORCHESTRA- Essential Technique Book 3

GRADES

40% Classwork- which includes bringing all their materials so that they can participate in learning. (10 points per class for

having all their materials. If all are not present, a 0 will be given.)

Band or Orchestra method BOOK

Instrument including everything necessary to play it such as 3 reeds and/or a mouthpiece.

3 Ring Binder

Plastic Protective Sheets (in binder to hold their music and packets).

Pencil at their seats! (sharpened)

Packets (provided by Mrs. Barbe)

Concert Music (Provided by Mrs. .Barbe)

Instrument Care Materials (Cork Grease for Clarinets and Oboes, Slide Grease & Spray bottle for Trombones, Valve

Oil for Brass Instruments, Rosin and extra strings for String Instruments, and a CHIN REST for Violins & Violas.)

NOTE: Due to the limited budget for purchase of music, paper and copier ink, 5 Points will be deduced from a students’

materials grade for each concert piece and/or required packet that was lost and must be replaced.

40% Playing Tests & Quizzes (Typically 2 per quarter) Points=100 points per test

40 points for Correct Notes, 40 points for Correct Rhythms, 10 Articulations, and 10

Posture/Holding Position & Tone.

10% Practice Records (5 points per week)

The expectation is that each student will practice 100-120 minutes per week. To excel, 120+ minutes per week is

recommended.

Students will receive 5 points per week for writing in a goal and completing the checklist, on the practice record, for each

song they practice.

NOTE: A specialized practice record, which is signed by a parent each night, will be used if a student is falling behind.

10% Concert Participation (50 points)

A musical group is like a puzzle or a baseball team. Each student has a specific part in the songs on the

concert which together fit like a puzzle pieces to make the song sound the way it should.

Playing without all our members is like missing the quarterback or the defensive lineman.

NOTE: If a student misses a concert due to a family emergency or serious illness they must make up the points by completing

a concert report. Mrs. Barbe will provide the materials necessary to complete this assignment.

NOTE: In quarters where your child’s group does not perform in a concert, the district computerized grading system will

divide the 15% for this category equally among the other categories.

Extra Credit: Students can get 10 extra credit points for going to any high school or college concert and having the program signed

by the director. There will also be one extra credit assignment for 10 points given at the end of each quarter.

PROCEDURES

Arrive on time to class unless you have a valid pass.

Line up on the wall outside J-10 door.

Enter the room quietly and with respect to others and equipment, go immediately go to their seats and take

out 3 ring binder and pencil.

After attendance and a quick focus activity, students will be given 3 minutes on a timer to put their

backpacks on the rack (at the back of the room), take their instrument out of their lockers-leaving the

case inside and return to their seat to complete their individual warm-up. (Instrument specific materials

are needed at their seats as well.

Once the teacher has given the cue for class to begin, freeze immediately and listen, participate, be

attentive and follow classroom expectations.

Five minutes before the end of class, students will line up their chair, push down and line up stand, clean

their area of any trash, and quietly put their materials and instrument in their lockers.

Return to seat until the bell rings. (Dismissal is based on the room returning to a clean and orderly state,

not by the bell.)

Have fun learning the rest of the day.

If your child’s instrument is in the shop, please make sure to write me a note so that a consequence

is not given! You can also ask the rental company for a “loaner”.

LOCKS AND LOCKERS

Locks and lockers will be available for check-out during the first week of school. It is not mandatory for students

to have a locker. However, lockers are recommended for students who play larger instruments and for students

that do not wish to carry their instruments from class to class. Whether or not you use a locker, you must secure

your instrument when you are not in class. Instruments are expensive and often fragile. Please use common sense

when storing and transporting them.

Locker Guidelines:

1. Locker must be locked when you leave the room.

2. If you play a brass instrument or saxophone, put your case in your locker during class.

3. Please don’t leave your locker door open during class, especially if you have a larger locker.

4. Be courteous: make sure the people around you can access their lockers.

5. Do not put anything in your locker that might leak, stain, smell, stick, scratch, bite, corrode, mark, warp, or

otherwise hurt the locker.

6. Your safety is important: no climbing on or getting into the lockers.

ACADEMIC LAB REHEARSALS

Whenever a grade level ensemble is split into different classes, it becomes necessary for those classes to find

time to rehearse together. Ac Lab rehearsals will occur on the same day every week to help the students have a

consistent schedule.

Performing Arts Tour

The 8th grade band in the past has typically traveled with the Pueblo Chorus and Orchestra to perform at a

national-level festival in Anaheim, CA on a tour during the weekend at the end of April. A separate tour letter and

tour commitment contract will be distributed to 8th grade students well in advance to facilitate planning. Be

advised that the following will make you ineligible to go on the trip: 3rd trip to ISI (from any classes), off-campus

suspension, not receiving a passing grade in band (any quarter), not receiving a passing grade in other classes two

quarters.

COMMUNICATION

THE MAJORITY OF PARENT COMMUNICATION WILL OCCUR THROUGH THE

CHARMS WEBSITE!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Log on to www.charmsoffice.com

Locate the “PARENT/STUDENT LOGIN” section of the web page.

Login to your child’s program account using the following login:

PuebloMSBand

This will bring up the main parent page. This will allow you to look at your child’s program’s public

calendar, event list, handouts and other files.

Clicking on an event on the calendar brings up the details for that event, such as times,

attendance requirements and equipment/uniform necessities.

Clicking on “event list” puts all of the calendar information in a list form for easy printing.

When you enter your child’s ID NUMBER, ______________ another more detailed screen

appears with even more options to view your student’s uniform assignments, music assignments,

financial records, forms and inventory. Enter your child’s ID FIRST – then you may create your

own, unique password by clicking on the “keys icon”

Two areas in which you can help the director maintain his/her records:

Student information form – you should immediately enter/update the information on the student

information page. Please update phone numbers and email addresses if they change to help the

teacher communicate with you more effectively.

AWARDS

In addition to recognizing positive student effort in daily rehearsals, outstanding student musicians will

be recognized with awards in all bands at our May concerts. Criteria for earning these awards include

demonstrating outstanding musicianship, consistent excellent participation in rehearsal, and service to

the band or orchestra. Three types of awards will be presented:

Most Improved: One student from each class will be chosen by the director for band and orchestra.

If all the students progressed equally the director has the option of not presenting this award every

year. These students took it upon themselves to make great improvements this year through self-

motivation, positive attitude, and hard work!

Outstanding Music Leadership: One student is chosen from each class by their peers. This award is

given to a student who is a positive leader. Someone who is kind, self-motivated, and that the students

can turn to for help and motivation. This is not necessarily the most advanced musician but it could be.

Director’s Award & 8th Grade Awards: Keeping in line with the other electives & 8th grade awards

night, eight awards will be given students in 8th grade band and orchestra. These awards include the

Director’s Award which is given to one student from band and one student from orchestra demonstrate

consistent excellence as musicians, continued commitment to the program, positive attitudes, and are

positive role models/leaders in their classes; a Most Improved award and five outstanding musician

awards.

Private Lessons

It is highly recommended that you take private or group lessons. Nothing can take the place of

this kind of individualized, expert attention and guidance. You will also receive extra credit on

your practice records for private instruction. There are many fine instructors in the area. Many

music stores offer lessons at a reasonable rate. One of the best ways to find a great private

teacher is to contact the School of Music at Arizona State University.

TAX CREDIT DONATIONS

Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the tax credit donations for school, and apply your

donation to the band or orchestra! Tax credit donations have allowed the program to purchase

instruments and other important equipment for student use in the past. Please check with the

office for appropriate forms. It is recommended that you check with your accountant to see if

this credit applies to your situation. NOTE: A form must be attained from the front

office, filled out, and turned in with the donation to be able to receive a receipt from the

district for your taxes.

METHOD BOOK, INSTRUMENT, MATERIALS, OR MONATARY DONATIONS

Want to give more? You can help by donating your time to one of our fundraisers, chaperoning

the CA Tour or a field trip, bringing cookies to concerts, or donating money to our booster fund.

Would you like to donate items? We can always use more of the following: instruments, reeds,

method books, pencils, maintenance items, sticks, mallets, bows, and strings. Your generosity

goes a long way in the hearts and minds of students.

***INSTRUMENT REPAIR****

I understand that occasionally instruments need to go in for repair. If a school instrument is

available, your child may be permitted to play that instrument while theirs is in the shop.

If your instrument is RENTED from an instrument company you must take it to them for

repairs.

If you instrument is a SCHOOL RENTAL you must bring it to Ms. Barbe and she will take

it to the district approved repair company.

If you OWN your own instrument you are responsible for repairs. I can guide you in the

right direction in terms of companies that repair instruments but please ask them if

they send them out or fix them at their location. If they send them out sometimes you

will be without an instrument for up to two weeks! Places that fix them onsite are

usually done in two to three day.

NOTE! If you are without an instrument for an unusually extended period of time (more than 7 class in one quarter) your child may be placed in another class due to insufficient materials.

RENTING V/S BUYING AND INSTRUMENT- also see website: http://www.kyrene.org/staff/jbarbe/

It is advised to rent your student an instrument in the first several years of playing or until they are sure that is

the instrument they want to continue with for the following reasons.

Opportunities for students to advance to similar instruments occur in the first few years, such as

clarinetists to Bass Clarinet or Trumpets to French Horn etc.

If repairs are needed you can take it to the place where you rented for repairs.

During repairs, most companies will give you a “loaner”.

All instrument rental companies have insurance policies that either cover repairs and/or the loss of an

instrument or just require a small deductable.

As students grow musically, they can upgrade to a better instrument that suits their needs. For example,

French Horn players can switch to a double horn from a single which enables them to play the higher notes

with more ease.

If a student decides to switch instruments, they just go trade it in for a new one.

If you buy and instrument, it is much like a used car, the value decreases.

*Most instrument rental companies apply your rental fee towards the purchase of an instrument!

TIPS FOR RENTING AN INSTRUMENT- also see website: http://www.kyrene.org/staff/jbarbe/

Call around to find the best price.

Ask them whether they will provide any of the specific instrument materials listed on the previous page. If

not, ask them for prices to purchase.

Be sure to ask about their insurance policy. Most include this in the rental price but the policies vary so

make sure to ask questions about the price of repairs, the price if the instrument is destroyed, lost, or

stolen. Some companies will give you a new instrument if any of the above things happen for only $20 while

others can be hefty.

(Strings, when you rent your instrument make sure the company tapes the frets for you! That

way you will know where to place your fingers on the fingerboard.)

DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE INSTRUMENTS TO LOAN?

Yes, the district does have a limited inventory of instruments to lean for a low annual fee. They include oboe,

bassoon, French horn, baritone, tenor saxophone, tubas, and some stringed instruments. Please contact me if you

are interested in a school instrument and I will check the inventory for availability and if one is available will send

home a rental form.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

ALL Instruments- A music stand and a metronome are recommended for home practice. (Metronomes keep

the steady beat. You can buy an inexpensive metronome or if you have access to a computer, you can play the

metronome for free at www.webmetronome.com. This metronome is particularly excellent because it not

only has a higher sounding click on the first beat of every measure but it also flashes the numbers and has a

red color that flashes on the 1st beat as well.

WOODWINDS BRASS STRINGS PERCUSSION

Cleaning Swab Cleaning Snake Soft Cloth for Cleaning Stick Bag

Mouthpiece Brush

INSTRUMENT CLEANING AND MAINTAINANCE INSTRUCTIONS

FLUTE Care and Maintenance

Avoid the keys while putting together and taking apart.

If pads sound clicky or sticky, use a quality cleaner such as pad juice or some Yamaha Powder

Paper.

Only adjust Head Cork if you know what you are doing. All other adjustments are to be made

by a qualified repair tech.

NEVER leave your Flute on a chair or on your bed. Bent bodies are VERY EXPENSIVE to

straighten out and somebody WILL sit on it!

Do not use any grease or oil on the joints where it goes together. This only helps once and

makes all future attempts even harder.

Swab out after each use. A pad saver of high quality is fine to use.

CLARINET Care and Maintenance

Never clean your clarinet with alcohol. You may wipe down after each playing time with a polish cloth available at retail outlets or from me. Stay away

from the edge of the pads. If you wipe away the skin, the pads will need replacing. Swab out the bore after playing, to keep the moisture away from the pads. You may purchase pad savers (fuzzy

sticks) to use in the bore of the Clarinet. Do not use on wooden clarinets…only on plastic ones.

You should clean the barrel, mouthpiece and bell section monthly with warm soapy water. Rinse well. This is

ONLY for plastic Clarinets.

Look at the instrument occasionally to be sure the screws are not working loose. Tighten loose screws enough to

keep the key in place but not so tight to make it bind.

Use good quality cork grease. Do not overuse this. It can and will ruin pads.

Do not oil your keys or the bore of your wood instrument.

Brush your teeth before playing. This will save you a lot of expense later.

Do not leave your instrument on a chair or the bed. Snapped joints start around $150 minimum.

When putting together and taking apart, keep hands away from key-work as much as possible. You may bend

keys

SAXOPHONE Care and Maintenance

Wipe off the sax with a soft cloth.

Remove mouthpiece from the neck. Always.

Wipe off the neck and swab it out. Put it in an old sock, or at least away from the body so it

doesn't bounce around inside the case.

Remove the reed and clean the moisture from the mouthpiece with a soft cloth.

Wipe off the reed and place it in a reed holder.

Place your end cap on the neck receiver.

You may use a high quality pad saver in the bore if you wish. Bad quality ones leave string all

through the instrument.

Use a good quality cork grease for the mouthpiece to go on the neck.

Brush your teeth before playing. You will save a lot of expense later.

Do not pick up the saxophone by the bell only. This can cause more costly repair

TRUMPET, BARITONE/EUPHONIUM, and TUBA Care and Maintenance

Weekly Care: You will need to oil your values (the buttons you press down when you play) at least once to twice a week and occasionally put slide grease on the slides where you tune your instrument. This takes about 2 minutes. (If you don’t do it, one day you will go to play it and the value will be completely stuck and won’t move at all! Here’s how you oil valves:

Oiling Valves

You will need to buy valve oil from a music company. They all have it and it’s cheap.

Do not touch the button where your fingers go at the top of your valves!

Instead, underneath that part and the part that goes down inside the instruments when

you press it down, you will see a part with groves that you do turn to take the valve out.

Once the valve is out, put a couple drops near the bottom (of the part you pulled out of the instrument).

Put the valve about 3/4 of the way back in, spinning the valve as you lower it. Line up

the valve guide (the white thing that looks like a notch near the top) with the indent in the instrument where the value goes. They fit together like a puzzle.

If you do not get sound, you probably put one of the values in backwards. Check them,

turn them around if needed, and try again. Often, each value will have a really small number engraves somewhere near the top of the value and it either faces the mouthpiece when you put it in or it will face the bell, (usually the mouthpiece).

Slide Grease:

Slide grease is different than valve oil. You can also buy this at any music store &

it’s cheap also.

You should ALWAYS be able to move your slides so occasionally you will need to

slide them out as far as they can go, smear a really small amount of slide grease on

both sides of it and then push it in and out once or twice.

There will be some extra on the very outside of the slide once your done so gently

wipe that off. Otherwise all types of dust and junk will stick to it. Don’t wipe it off the

slide itself that can be pushed in and out because that what will make it move.

NOTE: If valve or slide is stuck and doesn't come out, DO NOT FORCE IT. Your repair professional has the correct tools for removing stuck items. YOU WILL cause major costly damage.

ALSO, your instrument needs a bath in December & May:

Bath Directions:

1). Disassemble instrument, pulling all caps, valves and tuning slides. Wipe off slides with a soft rag with some Goo-gone or other grease removing cleaner.

*If any slides or valves are stuck and doesn't come out, DO NOT FORCE IT. Your repair professional has the correct tools for removing stuck items. YOU WILL cause major costly damage.

2). Fill sink or bath with warm to touch water with Dawn dish liquid, or any other grease cutting dish liquid. Do not drop parts into the sink as you may damage parts.

3). Carefully place all of the parts in the sink. If you are able to, remove the finger button to remove

top cap and felt, as we don’t want the felts getting wet.

4). Using a Scotch-Brite® pad for dishes, clean the tuning slide inner tubes. These are the dull tubes that go inside the main body of Instrument. Clean in the direction that they slide. Be careful not to scrub on any of the shiny areas.

5). You may also use scrubbing pad LIGHTLY on the valves to remove staining. Do not over do this.

6). Rinse thoroughly in warm water. If you have an air hose with a compressor, blow out all parts and wipe the body and parts dry with a soft clean cloth. You may use some Lemon Pledge on a rag and lacquered areas to polish, or use any number of silver polishes , if it's silver plated.

THEN REASSEMBLE SLIDES FIRST

1). Use a thinner slide grease, such as Selmer or Zaja. Both are thin and red colored. Use this on the 1st and 3rd valve slides only. Put a dab of this on the threads of the upper and lower valve caps.

2). Use a thicker, creamier grease on #2 and the main tuning slide.

3). Use a premium valve oil on the valves. Once the valve is out, put a couple drops near the bottom (of the part you pulled out of the instrument). Put the valve about 3/4 of the way back in, spinning the valve as you lower it. Line up the valve guide (the white thing that looks like a notch near the top) with the indent in the instrument where the value goes. They fit together like a puzzle.

4) If you do not get sound, you probably put one of the values in backwards. Check them, turn them around if needed, and try again. Often, each value will have a really small number engraves somewhere near the top of the value and it either faces the mouthpiece when you put it in or it will face the bell, (usually the mouthpiece).

5). Clean out your mouthpiece with a good mouthpiece brush.

Trombone Care and Maintenance Weekly Care: Lubricating the playing slide: You will need to grease your slide and spray it with water once or twice a week. It should slide really easily with no scatchy sounds.

Buy slide lubricant for trombones from any music store. It is cheap. Buy a really small plastic spray bottle from the dollar store. Keep both of these in your case always. Slide your slide almost all the way out. With your finger, take a tiny bit of slide lubricant and smear it up and down the

slide. Move the slide up and down a couple times and whip any extra lubricant off the

top of the instrument if it builds up there. Every time it seems a little dry, spray it with a little water and it should slide like

butter.

NOTE: If it still does not slide well, there is probably a dent so small you can’t see it. In this case, we just take it to the shop for a minor adjustment.

Greasing your tuning slide: (on the top of your instrument), so that you can move it in and out to tune.

Slide grease is different from slide lubricant! You can also buy this at any music

store & it’s cheap also.

Occasionally you will need to slide it out and smear slide grease on it. Then when

you put it in move it up and down a couple times then wipe the excess where it goes

into the instrument off.

December & May: Your trombone will also need baths in December and May:

1). Disassemble instrument.

If the slide is stuck or doesn't come out, DO NOT FORCE IT. Your repair professional has the correct tools for removing stuck items. YOU WILL cause major costly damage.

2). Fill sink or bath with warm to touch water with Dawn dish liquid, or any other grease cutting dish liquid. Do not drop parts into the sink as you may damage parts. Carefully place all of the parts in the sink.

4). Using a Scotch-Brite® pad for dishes, clean the tuning slide inner tubes. These are the dull tubes that go inside the main body of Instrument. Clean in the direction that they slide. Be careful not to scrub on any of the shiny areas.

5). You may also use scrubbing pad LIGHTLY on the valves to remove staining. Do not over do this.

6). Rinse thoroughly in warm water.

THEN REASSEMBLE SLIDES FIRST

1). Use a thinner slide grease on the tuning slide (not the playing slide).

2). Lubricate your playing slide again and put it back on.

4). Clean out your mouthpiece with a good mouthpiece brush.

VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, and BASS Care and Maintenance

Loosen up your bow….EVERY DAY! (If you leave it tight it will crack.)

NEVER tap your bow on a chair, stand, or anything else as it will crack as well!

Do not touch the hair on the bow.

Never leave your instrument standing up. It will fall and in some cases can break in two!

Never leave your instrument on a kitchen counter or a bed. Bad things can happen to it even

though we think it might not be likely. (It has happened in the past.)

Be very careful when you set your instrument down as not to drop it or have it back against

anything. The bridge will come off, sometimes brake in two, and will make a really loud sound.

Let Mrs. Barbe tune with the big pegs until she teaches you to do it so you don’t accidently brake strings.

If a string does break, bring it to Mrs. Barbe to put a new one on (or if you own the instrument, go buy a string and I will put it on.)

Wipe down the instrument with a soft cloth to remove all the rosin and residue after playing each time.

Rosin your bow each time you play. You should always have your rosin with you at home and

in class.

Make sure you do not put anything but the instrument, a chin rest (for violins and violas, and

your bow in the case. If you shove books or music in there it will damage your instrument.

Make sure the bow is in the case (and loosened).

Make sure that your fine tuning pegs are not all the way tightened. If so, ask me to re-adjust

your large pegs so that the fine tuners can be turned to a looser position to give you room to fine tune your instrument each time.

QUALITY EQUIPMENT

It is VERY important that a student have a quality instrument so that they are able to make a good sound. If

a student has a poor quality instrument and/or poor quality reeds/mouthpieces etc. they will become

frustrated. Also, the better the quality the more durable and the less repairs you will have!

Recommended Instrument Brands

Flute= Yamaha, Jupiter or Geneinhardt Trumpet/Trombone= Yamaha or Bach

Clarinet= Buffet, Yamaha, or Selmer Euphonium= Yamaha or Jupiter

Saxophone= Yamaha or Selmer Tuba= Jupiter, Conn, King (see Ms. Barbe)

Quality Mouthpieces, Reeds, and Sticks

Percussion- Drum Sticks (Vic Firth generals), hard plastic or rubber bell mallets (IP 1006 Mallets),

Hard Vibraphone Mallets (Innovative Percussion), practice pad, mallet/stick bag. These mallets are

better quality and will last you longer. **You also may want to rent a bell kit so they can practice at

home!

Flutes- only items listed above.

Clarinets/Saxophones: Recommended Reeds- Beginners- Size 2; Second Year- Size 2 ½ ; Third Year-

Size 2 ½ -3.) Although a general mouthpiece is a part of the instrument you rent/buy, the students

will have greater success and sound quality if they are able to rent or buy a higher quality mouthpiece

such as a Marcellus or Pine for clarinet or a Selmer C for Saxophone.

Oboe/Bassoons-Recommended Reeds: Beginners- Medium Soft; Second and Third Year Players-

Medium to Medium Hard.

Trumpet-Bach 7C mouthpiece (or equivalent), 8th Grade students may be able to move up to a Bach 3C

mouthpiece but ask the director or private teacher first.

French Horn- Giardinelli C8 mouthpiece (or equivalent)

Trombone and Euphonium- Bach 61/2 AL mouthpiece (or equivalent)

Tubas- Bach 24AW Mouthpiece or Helleberg7B (or equivalent)

Quality Practice and sight-reading checklist

1 WARM-UP! WARM-UP! WARM-UP! (Can I say this enough? No, I can’t! It is something you need to do

EVERY SINGLE TIME you practice for at least 10 minutes.)

Breathing Exercises

Long Tones

Lip Slurs (for Brass) and Slur patterns or fingering flexibility exercises (for Woodwinds).

Scales, Arpeggios, and other scale studies from your warm up madness packets.

Articulation exercises (tonguing & slurred patterns)

2 NOW YOU ARE READY TO WORK ON SONGS:

Check the Tempo marking right above the first measure to see how fast or slow they want you to

play the rhythms. www.webmetronome.com.

Check the Time Signature to see how many beats per measure. Check to see if the Time Signature

changes anywhere in the song.

Clap the rhythm and write in the counts if you need to.

Play the rhythm on one note to make sure you are playing each rhythm for the correct amount of

beats.

Circle any rhythms you missed and practice only that one small part. When you can play it correctly,

piece it together with the measures around it like a puzzle.

Look at the Key Signature.

o What sharps or flats does the song have?

o If you are used to having certain flats and sharps and they aren’t in that song it means

those notes will be NATURAL. Make sure you circle them and look up the natural fingerings

if you don’t know them.

o Check for accidentals. These are flats, sharps, or naturals that are not in the Key

Signature but placed on notes here and there through the song.

o Check to see if the Key Signature changes anywhere in the piece?

Air-play the notes in rhythm. (This means to blow into your instrument and move your fingers like

you were actually playing but no real sounded is coming out of your instrument.

Play the song out loud. then circle any notes that you missed and write in fingerings or something to

help you remember what they are.

Check for Road Signs like repeat signs, first and second endings, D.C. al Codas, Fine etc.

Check for any articulation markings like Slurs, and Staccatos and add them to your playing.

Check for any dynamic markings to see what parts of the song to play loud, medium, or so soft and

add them to your playing.

o GREAT JOB! You just had a quality practice session!