What I Wish Someone Would've Told Me Before I Joined Band

If you had told sixth grade me that joining band would eventually lead to a degree in music education, a career teaching music, and more than 16 years of being involved in the music world, I probably would have laughed.

When I joined band in sixth grade, I had no idea what instrument I wanted to play.

I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know what I was good at, and honestly, I didn't know that joining band would become such a huge part of my life.

Now, as a former band student and a current private music instructor, I've learned a lot over those 16 years. If your child is considering joining band, here are some things I wish someone had told my family and me from the beginning.

You Don't Have to Know Which Instrument You Want to Play

One of the biggest concerns I hear from parents is, "My child wants to join band, but they have no idea what instrument they want to play."

That's completely okay!

Most beginner band programs have some type of instrument or mouthpiece testing at the beginning of the school year. This isn't a pass-or-fail test, and your child isn't going to "fail" at picking an instrument.

The purpose is to help determine which instruments your student may naturally have an aptitude for.

Some students may have characteristics that make them well-suited for one particular instrument, while others may show potential on several different instruments.

Your band director has experience helping students make these decisions, so don't be afraid to ask for their recommendation. They may also consider the needs of the band program when making suggestions.

And remember: the instrument your child starts on doesn't necessarily have to be the instrument they play forever.

Students can sometimes switch instruments as they get older or as their interests and abilities change.

I remember doing my mouthpiece test. I didn’t have any idea what instrument I was going to play. I don’t actually know why I ended up picking clarinet, but I’ve played it for 16 years now and when I went into high school, I taught myself how to play saxophone so that I could play in the jazz band. 

You Don't Need to Spend Your Life Savings on Beginner Equipment

This is probably one of the biggest things I wish someone had told me.

When your child starts band, it can be very tempting to think you need to buy the absolute best instrument, accessories, books, supplies, and everything else immediately.

You don't.

Young students are still learning how to take responsibility for their belongings, and accidents happen. Instruments get dropped. Cases get damaged. Mouthpieces get lost. Reeds get destroyed. And, sometimes, a student decides after a few months that band simply isn't for them.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in your child's music education. It just means that you don't necessarily need to make a huge financial investment before you know whether your child is going to stick with it.

Start with what your band director recommends. If your child develops a genuine love for their instrument and becomes more dedicated, you can always invest more later.

I'd much rather see a student start with a practical, reliable setup and become passionate about music than see a family spend thousands of dollars immediately because they thought they had to.

Band Can Become Much More Than Just a Class

When many people think about band, they picture students sitting in a classroom playing scales and learning songs.

That's only the beginning.

As students' progress, they can have opportunities to participate in marching band, jazz band, concert ensembles, honor bands, solo and ensemble performances, clinics, workshops, and other musical opportunities.

Exactly what is available will depend on your school and your area, but there can be a lot of opportunities for students who want to continue growing.

Band can also encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone.

Performing in front of other people isn't always easy. Learning a difficult piece isn't always easy. Practicing when you'd rather be doing something else definitely isn't always easy.

But those experiences teach students something incredibly valuable:

How to be dedicated to something even when it isn't easy.

That kind of discipline doesn't disappear when your child graduates' high school. Those are skills they can carry with them into college, careers, and adulthood.

Private Lessons Aren't Just for Students Who Are Struggling

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I see about private music lessons.

Some parents assume that private lessons are basically music tutoring: if their child is struggling in band, they need lessons to catch them up.

Private lessons absolutely can help students who are struggling with a particular concept or technique.

But that's not the only reason to take lessons.

Private instruction gives students dedicated one-on-one time with someone who can focus specifically on them and their instrument.

Maybe your child is already doing well in band and wants to become even better.

Maybe they want to learn music that isn't part of their normal band curriculum.

Maybe they want to explore a different style of music.

Maybe they simply really love their instrument and want more time to play it.

Private lessons can also help students prepare for auditions, honor bands, solo and ensemble performances, and other opportunities.

And honestly? Lessons should be fun.

A good private instructor should be able to challenge a student while still allowing them to enjoy making music.

There Are More Opportunities After High School Than You Might Realize

If your child really enjoys music, don't assume that their opportunities end when they graduate high school.

There are colleges and universities with music programs, ensembles, scholarships, and other opportunities for students who continue developing their musical abilities.

Many of these opportunities involve auditions and sometimes interviews or other requirements as well.

This is another area where private lessons can be extremely valuable.

A private instructor can help a student prepare audition material, work on technique, build confidence, and learn how to perform under pressure.

Even if your child doesn't ultimately pursue music as a career, the experience of preparing for an audition can teach them valuable skills that extend far beyond music.

Say Yes to the Performance Opportunities

Once your child joins band, keep an eye out for opportunities outside of their normal band class.

In my area, students may have opportunities to participate in things like solo and ensemble performances, honor bands, clinics, and other musical events.

These opportunities can be incredibly beneficial.

Students get to perform for people other than their normal classmates. They get to work with different directors and clinicians. They get exposed to different playing styles. They meet other musicians.

And perhaps most importantly, they get to discover what they're capable of.

Your child doesn't have to participate in absolutely everything. But if they find something they're excited about, I encourage you to let them try it.

Your Child Doesn't Have to Be the Best

This might be the most important thing I could tell a parent.

Your child doesn't have to be the first chair.

They don't have to make every honor band.

They don't have to win every audition.

They don't have to become a professional musician.

They just need the opportunity to learn.

Music can teach your child patience, discipline, teamwork, confidence, creativity, responsibility, and perseverance.

Sometimes the biggest accomplishment isn't playing the hardest piece in the room.

Sometimes it's the student who was terrified to perform but got on stage anyway.

Sometimes it's the student who wanted to quit but decided to practice one more time.

Sometimes it's the student who finally plays a difficult passage they've been working on for weeks and realizes, "I actually did it."

Those moments are what make music education so special.

So, Should Your Child Join Band?

If they're interested, I think they should give it a try.

They don't have to know what instrument they want to play. They don't have to be naturally talented. They don't have to know whether they'll still be playing five years from now.

They just have to be willing to try something new.

I started band as a sixth grader without really knowing what I was getting myself into. Sixteen years later, music has shaped so much of my life.

I can't promise that your child will have the exact same experience.

But I can tell you this:

Joining band can open a lot more doors than you might expect.

And you never know where picking up that first instrument might lead.

Thinking about private lessons?

If your student is starting band, already plays an instrument, or simply wants to become a stronger and more confident musician, private lessons can be a great addition to their musical education.

At B&C Music, I work with students one-on-one to help them build their skills, confidence, and love of music.

If you're not sure whether private lessons are right for your student, that's okay too. You don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out.