A: A concert band is usually a collection of wind and assorted percussion instruments

Standard band instrumentation usually includes:

flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone sax, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, ephonium/baritone, tuba, percussion.

Q: What type of music will the band play.

A: The initial focus will be playing standard band compositions, marches, musicals, orchestral transcriptions, some jazz and even some pop.

Q: How will it be interesting for musicians of different levels:

A: We will have multiple groups depending on the levels of our members (lessons for the beginners while the more advanced work in rehearsal)

Q: Will it always be a Concert Band

A: In future years we may add other groups, like combos, ensembles, jazz groups, even possibly an orchestra. This will depend on growth and interest

Q: I’m tone deaf – can I do this?

A: First of all, very few people in the world are truly tone-deaf...Many (perhaps including you!) haven’t had much experience singing or playing an instrument and feel like their ears don’t know what to do.This is natural!I mean, if you decided to go skiing, but you had never done it before, would you expect to be comfortable and competent right away?Of course not!!Likewise, it takes a while to get comfortable with playing an instrument or singing – you need instruction and practice!

Q: How long will it take to learn an instrument?

A: That depends on how much you practice!  I find with my middle school kids that the ones who take private lessons and practice regularly, are pretty much caught up with their peers within a year.  As an adult, you know more about learning how to do something, so you can expect to start feeling pretty good about making music in just a few months!  Will it sound great the first week?  NO!  But you’ll be surprised how quickly you can start really having fun with other musicians!

Q: What about my arthritis?

A: Ouch!  What a pain in the fingers!  The arthritis may slow you down a little bit, but don’t forget, this kind of exercise is the best thing in the world for your fingers!  Many people across the country are playing instruments with arthritic fingers and you can too! 

Q: Will I have enough air to blow through the instrument?

A: Most likely this will not be a problem.  If you think it might be for you, we can talk about it and you can always play percussion!  But, like with arthritis (see above question), the exercise is really good for you!  You may find you are out of breath at first or have trouble holding out a long note, but your muscles will get stronger and you will soon find that you have more air to do other things -- like walk up the stairs!

Q: How do I decide what instrument to play?

A: Well, the first thing should be, what do you want to play?  I believe that you should play the instrument that truly speaks to your soul.  If you have more than one that you are interested in or really don’t care, I’d be happy to talk it over with you and give you some suggestions.

Q: What if I don’t understand something?

A: Ask!  We are all teachers and are here to help you learn!  Come a little early to rehearsals and one of us can help you with your question.  You can always call me or email me – I am available to help you almost anytime.  We can even arrange for an occasional one-on-one to get you over the hump.

Q: I tried to play an instrument in junior high school, but never got anywhere with it.  Would it really be different this time?

A: Most likely.  Aren’t you a different person?  Don’t you look back on your junior high years and shudder?  J  Don’t you feel like you have a better sense of the overall, the gestalt, of how things work?  Do you start in on a new project the same way you did when you were 12?  Adults come to new tasks with a huge life experience behind them to help make things make sense!  You know how to learn and you know that things like practice are important.

Q: I don’t even know how to read music – how hard is that to learn?

A: Ah!  A lot of people wonder about the mystery of those little black marks on the paper.  You will learn them one at a time.  It is pretty difficult to learn to read music when you are trying to just decipher the notes; but, when you actually are using the symbols on the page, they begin to make sense.  Before you know it, seeing a note on a line will cause your fingers to move in a particular way without you having to think about it!

Q: I’d love to try this, but I don’t know where I would practice. . .

A: Hmmm... that is sometimes a problem for my young students, too, especially if you live in an apartment.  Generally, though, playing an instrument isn’t louder than playing a recording on your sound system!  During the day, most neighbors don’t mind; just don’t play your drums at midnight!  Do you live in an independent or assisted living facility?  We are going to talk to the local facilities and see if there can be a “practice room” set aside.

Q: I play a little bit, but I am not a beginner; will there be a place for me in this band?

A: Yup!  We are going to start right out with a group for “returnees” and for those who have been taking lessons for a little while. 

Q: What can I expect after returning to my instrument after 40 years of not playing?

A: Some frustration, some exhilaration.  You will be frustrated that your muscles get tired quickly and that they sometimes don’t seem to remember what to do.  You will be exhilarated by again hearing and feeling the sounds you used to make and that you loved so much!  You will be frustrated at what you have forgotten, but exhilarated by what you remember!  Specifically, all wind players will find that their mouths get tired quickly and the tone isn’t what they expect.  Brass players will most likely find that they miss a lot of notes and shake a bit.  Saxes and clarinets will squeak again (OH, NOOO!!!!).  Flute players will have very tired right shoulders.   Percussionists won’t have the control and finesse that they used to have.  But guess what?  It will come back VERY quickly!!  You’ll be pleased and surprised!

Q: I’d love to do this, but I don’t drive at night any more.

A: We are going to set up car-pooling and rides for people who need them!  There will be a place on the application form to indicate if you need a ride, wish to car-pool or can give rides, and we will match up buddies who live near each other.  We are hoping that the assisted/independent living facilities will make a van run for our members.

Q: My kids play instruments.  I’m afraid they will laugh at me!

A:Oh, dear.  Well, laugh with them and ask them to help you!  It will make them feel important, your practicing will set a good example for them, and the fact that you are willing to take risks and try new things is an incredibly important role modeling for children!  Showing them that it is never too late to learn and that adults struggle with things too are very important lessons!