Posted by js on June 15, 2003 at 22:10:26:
In Reply to: Re: Is the Tuba a 'good' instrument? posted by Chuck Jackson on June 15, 2003 at 20:55:15:
Let's face it, though. Personality-wise, the cocky show-offs need to be playing the trumpet.
As much as we discuss the importance of "building the band from its foundation" or "the intonation of the inner voices"...etc. etc, there ain't no band without good (and strong) trumpets.
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To your topic of instrumentation engineering, my neighborhood's middle school band director (the very best middle school band in the greater Memphis area) lets everyone (on the first day of beginner band) sign up for whatever they want to play. He writes the number of each instrument (as they express their interests) on the blackboard. He then explains the concept of "INSTRUMENTATION". He gives them a "class grade" on instrumentation - usually about at "C" or "C-". He asks them (as a group) if they would like to make an "A+" in "INSTRUMENTATION" so they'll have a great-sounding band. Plenty of kids cheerfully volunteer to fill in on the less-chosen instruments, and that's that.