a better place to learn
Musical
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WHY LEARN A
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INSTRUMENT?
REDBRIDGE MUSIC SERVICE, JOHN SAVAGE CENTRE, FENCEPIECE ROAD, HAINAULT, ILFORD, ESSEX IG6 2NB
www.redbridgemusic.org.uk
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INSTRUMENT?
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Musical
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WHY LEARN A
T
here are many reasons why children should be encouraged to learn a musical
instrument. Research has shown that playing an instrument improves
performance in all areas of the curriculum and there is no doubt that learning
provides a skill for life.
Learning helps pupils develop the following
qualities:
• self-confidence
• self-discipline
• imagination and creativity
• communication skills
• team and social skills
• self-respect
• listening skills
• self-reliance
• co-operation
• loyalty
• commitment
• memory skills
• concentration skills
• co-ordination skills
is why string instruments come in a variety of sizes
and children can move up to the next size
instrument as they grow.
!
Adults
With adults the main driving force for learning an
instrument is a strong desire to learn and an
interest in music. Adults can often make up for
lost time if they have the motivation and
discipline to engage in regular practice.
!
!
Life changing experience
Music can uplift us when we are down and
bring calm into our lives at the end of the
day. To engage in music-making can be a
life-changing experience and it enables us
to discover our creative powers and inner
emotions.
!
Teachers employed at Redbridge Music
Service are very experienced and can advise
on the choice of instrument. It helps if
children have some musical awareness and
can clap simple rhythms and sing a simple
song or two before taking up an
instrument. Redbridge Music Service
provides opportunities for children from
birth to 18 years.
!
It is generally acknowledged that it takes a
long time to learn a string instrument. This
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Musical
WHY LEARN
WHY LEARN
A A
INSTRUMENT?
CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT - STRING
Violin
The violin is a very versatile instrument, capable of
playing beautiful melodies one moment and fast
dazzling passages the next.
!The violin is used as a solo instrument, in orchestras,
chamber groups, pop groups and in folk music bands.
Viola
The viola is
often a very
under-rated
instrument.
Slightly
larger than
the violin,
its appeal is
in its lush, deep resonant tone, especially on its
lower strings.
!It has an important part to play in orchestras and
chamber groups but can also be used to good
effect as a solo instrument.
Double Bass
The double bass is the largest
instrument in the string
family and
makes a
deep
resonant
sound.
!The double
bass is used
in orchestras
and jazz
groups.
Cello
The cello has a wide register
ranging from deep, low notes
in the lower register to high,
singing notes in the upper
register.
!
The cello has an enormous
solo repertoire and is played
in orchestras and in chamber
music.
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WHY LEARN A
CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT - WOODWIND
Recorder
Saxophone
The recorder is an ideal
instrument for children to
start on and is also very
inexpensive to purchase.
The saxophone has a very silky sound and is
played by jazz, classical, pop and soul musicians.
It is a very popular instrument and features in jazz
bands, wind
bands and
saxophone
ensembles.
Flute
The flute has
a beautiful
tone and
can be
heard
clearly over
an orchestra
or wind
band
because it is
capable of
playing very high notes. It is a refined instrument
and flute choirs are very popular.
Clarinet
The clarinet has a very mellow tone and is
played in wind bands, orchestras and jazz
groups. Many
clarinettists
learn the
saxophone
when they
have reached
a good
standard.
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Oboe
The oboe is probably
one of the most
difficult and
rewarding
instruments to play.
It has a beautiful
tone in the hands of
an experienced player
and is played in wind bands and orchestras. The
oboe is a double reed instrument and has a
very reedy tone when played by beginners.
Bassoon
The bassoon is
the largest and
deepest
sounding
woodwind
instrument.
It is often
considered
to be the
comedian of the orchestra because of its
distinctive sound. The bassoon is played in
wind bands, orchestras and wind ensembles.
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WHY LEARN A
Musical
INSTRUMENT?
CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT - BRASS
Trumpet
Tenor Horn
The trumpet can have a very penetrating sound
but can also sound very lyrical. It is a very
versatile instrument and can be used in wind
bands, orchestras,
jazz bands and brass
ensembles. The
trumpet is an
excellent choice for
fanfares and playing
at ceremonial
occasions.
The tenor horn has a different
shape to the French horn and
is used in brass bands. It has a
mellow sound quality and is
easier to play than the French
horn.
Cornet
The cornet
appears to be
shorter than
the trumpet,
however the
tube length is
the same. It has a more mellow tone quality
and is preferred by brass bands.
French Horn
The French horn is a very heroic instrument and
has a very beautiful sound quality. It is used in
orchestras, wind bands and chamber groups.
Trombone
The trombone has
a slide rather than
valves and is
capable of
producing special
effects such as glissandi (sliding from one note to
another). It is the most versatile brass instrument as
it can be played in orchestras, wind bands, brass
bands, jazz orchestras and reggae groups.
Baritone/Euphonium
The baritone and euphonium
are brass band instruments
and are also used in wind
bands and military bands.
The euphonium has a
particularly sonorous tone.
Tuba
The tuba is the largest brass
instrument and is used in
orchestras, wind bands and
brass bands. It can be a
comical instrument at times
and has a wide range of notes
in the hands of a good player.
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INSTRUMENT?
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WHY LEARN A
CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT
!
Percussion
!
! kit and tuned
Drum
!percussion
instruments
provide
!rhythmic excitement
!in any music group.
!The drum kit is used
in
rock and pop
!bands,
bands,
! Tunedjazzpercussion
brass bands and wind bands.
and xylophone) is used in
!(glockenspiel
orchestras, brass bands and wind bands. African
!drumming and samba are popular areas of
!study especially for those who have little
!experience of music.
!
!Guitar
!The guitar is an
!extremely versatile
!instrument and is
!suitable for almost
every genre of music
including classical,
jazz, rock, folk,
country and various
music from around the world. As well as being
very portable it can be practised quietly and can
be inexpensive to purchase.
Piano /
Keyboard /
Harmonium
Learning the piano can be
very rewarding because it
is an instrument that is
complete in itself and can
play all styles of music
ranging from simple
melodies to complex pieces with powerful
harmonies. The piano is used as a solo instrument to
accompany other instruments, or as part of an
instrumental group.
!Electronic keyboards are often more easily
accommodated within the home and learning in
groups is great fun from the earliest stages
because of the automatic rhythms and sounds
built into them.
!The harmonium is a Western instrument that has
been adapted for Indian music. It has 42 black and
white keys and the player
uses the left hand to
activate the bellow of the
instrument and plays it
with the fingers of the
right hand.
Voice
Ukulele
The voice is the most versatile instrument and
encompasses all musical styles.
The ukulele is a
small guitar-like
instrument.
As well as being
very portable it
can be practised
quietly and is
inexpensive to purchase.
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Musical
INSTRUMENT?
CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT
Sitar
Dhol
The sitar is probably
the most well known
Indian instrument. It
is used in a variety of
genre including
north Indian classical
music, film music
and western fusion
music.
The dhol is a large
two headed barrelshaped wooden
drum played with
two sticks: a dagga,
which is played on
the bass side, and a
tilli, which is played
on the treble side.
!
!
!Tabla
!The tabla
!is another
!Indian
!instrument
!that is
!played
!with the
African drum
The African drum is an instrument played with
two hands. African music relies heavily on fastpaced, upbeat rhythmic drum playing found all
over that continent.
fingers.
PRACTICE
Regular practice is essential if progress is to be made. A little and often is better
than hours at a time followed by several days off. Daily practice as recommended by
the instrumental teacher will enable pupils to achieve their best.
!
For further information about learning a musical instrument, please enquire at your
child’s school or visit the RMS website at:
www.redbridgemusic.org.uk
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INSTRUMENT?
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Musical
WHY LEARN A
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
ACCOUNTS - MAIN OFFICE
Tel: 020 8501 3944
Tel: 020 8559 8044
Weekdays 9am - 5pm (term-time)
Tel: 020 8501 3947
Weekdays 1pm - 5pm, Wednesday 1pm - 7.30pm (term-time)
The above times apply to school term-times. The Centre is open 52 weeks per year, however callers are
advised to check by telephone that the person they require will be available during school holidays.
Designed and produced at Redbridge Music Service by David Underwood. Photographs by Nick Calver.
Published by Redbridge Music Service, September 2015