Band

Which Band Book will my child need?

This page is a VISUAL GUIDE on which book to buy your son or daughter. All of these books are instrument specific, so be sure to order a book by the same name as the instrument your child plays. Example. E flat Alto Saxophone, B flat Tenor Saxophone, B flat Clarinet, etc..

The beginning band students (Mostly comprised of 4th graders, or first year learner) use Essential Elements 2000 Book One - Yellow Striped cover.

 

 

 

The Concert Band students (typically 5th grade, or one year of music instruction) use Essential Elements 2000 Book Two - Red striped cover.

 

 

 

The Symphonic Band Students - (6th, 7th, & 8th grade students who have studied two years minimum) study from one of three books we rotate through each year. In 2017-18, the band will play through the Essential Elements Essential Techniques book 3 in the series. It has a green striped cover.

 


So.... Is that it for Music books??

Well, the books listed above are required. Below, I have many recommendations for what I call "Fun books" which serve several purposes. Popular books are fun to play! They can be inspiring to play from. Students naturally "Pick Up" or learn new rhythms based on songs they already know how to sing. Also, seeing these familiar songs written out, helps them get accustomed to sight reading, and helps them get better at it.  The idea behind these books is to keep your son or daughter playing on their instrument longer & more often!  Let's face it, becoming a good musician is long journey. There is plenty of work to be done, but your child can have a loads of fun along the way too!

This is just a partial list of books to get a student who has already accomplished one full year of playing. If your son or daughter is coasting along, and everything is easy, well then challenge them with a cool new book. Or, you can take them to the music store and let them pick through the stacks of books and choose one or two.  You might even find stairway to heaven in that stack for yourself...

Essential Elements FILM Favorites.
Essential Elements PATRIOTIC Favorites.
Essential Elements BROADWAY Favorites.
Essential Elements CHRISTMAS Favorites.

Most kids really enjoy playing the Harry Potter and Star Wars themes.  John Williams has written some of the most famous music ever put to screen.
Playable from grades 6 and up.

This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.