Frequently Asked Questions for Mr. Bannon's band classes. If you haveother questions, please email me at mrbannon@bandrox.com or john.bannon@gilbertschools.net.
Do we have to buy or rent an instrument?
The expectation is for parents to rent or lease instruments from local music stores. When renting, you can build equity with the music store in most cases. All repairs are covered by the store when you have insurance on your rental. In addition, you can often get a better quality beginning level instrument. Please be careful of less expensive instruments.
How much does it cost to rent an instrument?
Most instruments cost approximately $20 per month to rent. The advertised price should include tax and insurance. Please be careful of stores that advertise a low price, then add tax and insurance later. The instruments that rent for approximately $20 per month are Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone and the Junior Percussion Kit. Other instruments, including Saxophone, French Horn, Baritone and Tuba can be considerably more expensive. Make sure to compare what each store covers with their insurance. Ask these types of questions: What if the instrument is lost/stolen? What repairs are covered? Are there loaner instruments while my instrument is being repaired?
Where can I rent an instrument?
Both new and used name brand instruments can be rented from local music stores. Rates from one store to the next should be within a few dollars of each other. The rental cost of “Like New” and “Used” instruments will typically be $5 - $10 less per month than “New” instruments. A used instrument can be very good if it is of a quality brand. Be wary of stores that don’t offer name brand instruments or that don’t advertise a price that already includes tax and insurance. An instrument that is “New” isn’t always better. Please see the document "Local Music Stores" in the "Stuff to Print" section of this website.
Is it better to buy an instrument instead of renting?
I believe that it is better to rent instruments for elementary students, especially 5th graders, than it is to purchase them. Please remember that 5th graders will be playing three different instruments over the course of the school year (percussion, a brass instrument and a woodwind instrument). By renting, your contract with the music store should remain the same for the entire school year because the rental price of these instruments is all the same. In other words, it shouldn't cost you any more to rent three different instruments over the course of the year than it does to rent one instrument for the entire year. For 6th graders, the choice to purchase may make more financial sense to some families. If you do choose to buy an instrument, please remember that not all instruments are created equal. Look for name brand instruments. The quality of the instrument is a very important factor in your child's success. You will also be responsible for all repairs if you own the instrument. When you rent, repairs should be covered by the store if your rental plan includes Loss/Damage/Repair insurance.
I found a great deal on an instrument at a warehouse/department store. Should I buy it?
It is my experience that instruments purchased in this manner are often of lower quality. Students often struggle to produce a good sound and the instruments tend to have frequent mechanical troubles. They are usually instruments of unknown brands. This does not mean that you have to spend a fortune for a beginning level instrument. There are many high quality, beginning level instruments on the market, many of which can be purchased for $300-$400, even less used. Quality name brand instruments have proven themselves over time to provide a better learning experience for your child.
I found a great deal on eBay, Craig's List, etc. Should I buy it?
You can find many good quality new and used instruments on auction and trade websites. However, there are usually many off-brand instruments up for auction as well. Take the instrument to a qualified instrument repair store for an appraisal before purchasing. Again, look for name brand instruments. The old saying, “You get what you pay for” is very true for musical instruments.
What brands of instruments are considered quality name brands?
Not all instruments are created equal. The quality of the instrument is a very important factor in your child's success. The following are commonly considered name brands for Brass and Woodwinds: Bach, Besson, Blessing, Bundy, Cannonball, Conn, Eastman, Evette, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Holton, Jupiter, King, Reynolds, Selmer, Vito, and Yamaha. For Percussion, CB700, Ludwig, Pearl, and Vic Firth are well known brands.
My child wants to play flute, but we already have a trumpet. Can he just play trumpet?
This question usually applies to 5th graders because most 6th graders are continuing students. All 5th graders play percussion in the first quarter of the school year. This allows me to focus my teaching on rhythm and note reading and less on fingerings and tone production. Students will also be more directly engaged during our limited rehearsal time because they will all be playing the same thing at the same time. In the second quarter, 5th graders learn a brass instrument (choosing either trumpet or trombone). In the third quarter 5th graders learn a woodwind instrument (choosing either flute or clarinet). Finally, in the fourth quarter, 5th graders will be placed on the instrument best suited for their continued success, as determined by a combination of my assessments over the first three quarters and their preference. If you already own an instrument, you would have to rent the other instruments for half the school year rather than the entire year. For example, if you owned a trumpet, you would need to rent a percussion kit for the first quarter, use the trumpet in the second quarter, rent a woodwind instrument in the third quarter and return to the trumpet in the fourth quarter. Please recognize that students are most successful when they like the instrument they choose and have some say in the process.
Are there other materials or supplies that we will need to provide?
Yes. In addition to the instrument, there are other low cost materials/supplies that need to be purchased. Most of the supplies are a one-time purchase. Supplies List PDF.
Can my child still participate if we can’t afford to provide an instrument?
We have an extremely limited supply of working school instruments to loan to needy students. A non-refundable repair charge may be required at the time of the loan. There are local philanthropical groups that may be able to supply a free instrument to your child. Please contact me for further information. Unfortunately, some students planning to take band may have to enroll in General Music if an instrument cannot be acquired.
Which instrument is the easiest to learn?
It really depends on the student. A large reason for the specific rotation of instruments we learn during 5th grade (Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone) is because those instruments tend to be the best for beginners. Everyone who is dedicated to regular practice will be successful, no matter what instrument is being learned.
Does Band meet during the school day?
Yes. All students in kindergarten through 6th grade attend a music class. Students in grades K-4 take General Music. In grades 5 and 6 students are asked to choose which music class they would like to take (Band, Strings or General Music). Band students attend Band instead of General Music.
Are Band students given a grade?
Yes. Since it is a class, students earn letter grades, A-F. General Music students also earn a letter grade.
Do students have to miss other classes to be in Band?
No. Band, Strings and General Music are scheduled as part of the Special Area schedule and rotate with PE, Art and Library on different days of the week.
How often will my student attend Band class?
Band students come to class once per week unless it is a full week of school (i.e. no half days, no three-day weekends, etc.). During full weeks of school students gain a second day of band. There are about 12 of these extra days throughout the course of the entire school year. I will provide monthly calendars to help students remember which days they have Band.
Are private lessons required?
No, not for beginning or continuing students; however, private lessons outside of school are recommended if it is financially viable. If a student joins late in the year or switches instruments at a later date, private lessons may be required in order for the child to make proper progress and be successful in class. Please let me know if you need help locating a qualified private teacher.
Are there any commitments outside of the school day?
Band classes meet during the school day. However, students are expected to practice at home to be successful. My expectation is for students to average approximately 10-15 minutes of daily, at-home practice. There will also be two or three evening concerts each year that students are required to attend.
Does my child need previous music experience to learn an instrument in 5th Grade?
No. 5th Grade Band is a true beginning level course. Your child is even taught how to open the case. Prior experience is not necessary.
What if my child wants to play an instrument that is not offered in 5th grade? Will students be able to change instruments when they enter 6th Grade?
Students may be able to change to a closely-related instrument when entering 6th grade. All involved parties (student, parent, teacher) must agree to the change. The most common transfers are Clarinet to Bass Clarinet or Saxophone; Trumpet to another brass instrument (Baritone, French, Horn, Trombone, Tuba). The decision to change instruments is based on each individual student, including factors such as physical characteristics, student effort and responsibility throughout 5th grade, and musical skill. Ultimately, my goal is to do what’s in the best interest of each student.
My child didn’t play an instrument in 5th Grade, but would like to start in 6th Grade. Is that possible?
It can be very difficult for a student to join as a true beginner in 6th Grade. Since the beginner will be joining students entering their second year of instruction, it is important for new students to gain some experience through Summer School Band, summer music camps and/or private lessons before participating with more-experienced students. I am not looking for perfection in beginning 6th graders, only that they demonstrate the ability to keep up with the class so they do not become frustrated with themselves or interfere with the progress of others.