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One of the most exciting and important events in the life of a prospective band student is when he or she selects the instrument they are going to play. There are many factors that influence a student’s decision such as the availability of an instrument, the popularity of an instrument, parental preference, peer pressure, perceived musical opportunities, and band director needs and suggestions. A half century ago, many prospective band students wanted to play the trombone like Glenn Miller or the clarinet like Benny Goodman. The flute became extremely popular in the seventies when the rock band Jethro Tull’s lead performer, Ian Anderson, played the flute. The soprano saxophone has recently grown in favor due, in part, to Kenny G’s popularity.
Popular tastes aside, it is critical that each child’s musical potential and individual differences be identified and that the information be utilized in the recruiting process, the instrument selection process, and later in the teaching process. Due to the importance of the student’s instrument selection, every effort should be made by the teacher to identify and communicate the student’s unique characteristics to the student and his or her parents/guardians to assist them in the instrument selection process.
Besides embouchure formation, little information has been provided to the prospective band student to assist them in making their instrument selection. Informal research, gained by surveying former and current band members, has revealed that there are numerous factors and principles that will assist the student in the instrument selection process. To give each prospective student the best and most helpful information, consider the following principles:
Principle #1
Test for musical aptitude and develop a recruitment program based upon knowledge and understanding of the student’s musical aptitude.
Some musical aptitude tests are:
- Intermediate Measures of Musical Audiation (Gordon, 1982)
- Measure of Musical Abilities (Bentley, 1966)
- Musical Aptitude Profile (Gordon, 1965)
- Seashore Measures of Musical Talents (Seashore et al., 1960)
- Standardized Tests of Musical Intelligence (Wing, 1961)
- A description of these texts and their suitability can be found in Measurement and Evaluation of Musical Experiences by Boyle and Radocy, published by Schirmer Books.
While high marks on an aptitude test are an asset for any instrument, certain instruments require that a student receive high marks in order to be successful on that instrument…
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Published in Kjos Band News, Spring 2005, Volume 11 Copyright © 2009 Neil A. Kjos Music Company