If you’ve recently rented an instrument so your child can join the school band, there’s every chance that you’ll have something big looming on the horizon: Marching Band Season. As we move towards summer, you’ll face the round of band camps, sporting activities, and maybe competitions. It’s exciting. It’s exhausting. And if you’re doing it all for the first time, it can even be a little daunting.

A lot of children are attracted to the snare drum when it comes to choosing a band instrument. It’s a good starting point for the full drum kit, which makes it appealing for would-be Dave Grohls. And yet, it also looks easy to do. You just have to bang it, right? Well, yes… but also, no. There’s a bit more to it. So, if you’ve rented a snare drum and/or bell kit for your son or daughter, here are a few tips to help them master the art of playing.

The baritone and euphonium are among the more popular choices of instrument for children looking to join the school band. They are big and bold, but still manageable in size. And not as difficult to master as some of the more complicated instruments, like the French horn and oboe. But the one question we’re asked more than any other, when it comes to these instruments, is what’s the difference between the two? So, that’s what we’re going to be talking about in this blog.

If your daughter or son decides that they would like to learn to play an instrument for the school band, it can be a good idea to do a bit of fact-finding upfront. Not only so that you go in prepared, but because the better your child knows their instrument, the more likely they are to stick with it. It can also be fun. And it’s a nice thing for you to do together.

Bigger and more impressive-looking than the trumpet, and yet small enough to easily carry around, the euphonium is a popular choice for younger would-be musicians. And because the tone is sweet and gentle – the literal translation of its name is ‘sweet tones’ – most parents approve of it too. So, if you’re considering renting a euphonium for your son or daughter, what do you need to know to help them succeed?

With its warm, silky and inviting tones, and not inconsiderable size, the cello is an instrument that certainly makes an impression. Usually, a good one! But it’s also an instrument with a very long history and many secrets. So, why not discover a little bit more about the fabulous instrument that you have decided to learn to play?

Whether you’re a fan of jazz or The Simpsons, if you’re looking for an instrument to learn, the saxophone is arguably one of the coolest. Even just the look of it – the shape, the way you hold it – it’s just… cool. And the sax really does make a great instrument to play. But, like other instruments, learning the saxophone isn’t without its difficulties. So, what do you need to prepare yourself for if your child announces that they want to join the school band and play sax?

The oboe is one of those instruments with a reputation. Despite its gloriously sweet, accessible tones, few people want to learn it. Why? Because it is known for being difficult. The technique required to play it is often termed ‘counter-intuitive.’ Reeds can be problematic. And over time, playing the oboe can be quite expensive.

When you’re learning to play an instrument, there is nothing more disheartening than being unable to produce a good sound. And while the clarinet makes an excellent choice for any young would-be musician, being lightweight, portable, and relatively easy to play, it can still take a little time to master the basics.

Learning to play a new instrument is exciting. Perhaps especially percussion instruments because you can make a decent sound right from the very start. There’s no messing around blowing raspberries, or fiddling around with strings. If you have a basic sense of rhythm, you can play from the day that you receive your rental instrument. But there’s more to snare drum ownership than simply playing. You need to care for it too.