Trombones Are Tremendous Fun

Trombone players in fourth grade are working on scales, counting time, note recognition, breath work, and songs.

“Everything is super fun about the trombone,” said Adrian Hong.

Class begins with students assembling their instruments and working on their scales, practicing the same note multiple times before moving up or down the scale to the next note. They focus on their technique for how to make each note sound its best.

“The high notes are the hardest to learn because you need intensity in your belly,” Adrian said.

After warming up, students practice songs such as Old McDonald Had a Farm, Hot Crossed Buns, and Merrily We Roll Along. They’ve been working on some of the songs for a few months already, progressing to harder pieces as they are ready.

Note recognition is practiced not only by reading and playing music but also by using the smartboard to match notes on the scale to the letters below. They listen to video game music while they challenge themselves to get as many correct as they can, as quickly as they can.

“It’s beginning band,” said Mr. Myint. “Half the class is teaching them how to play their instruments, the other half is learning songs.”

At the end of the year, band and orchestra students in fourth grade will host a presentation for parents to showcase the new skills they’ve learned with their instruments. This is a first step toward performing concerts in the upcoming years.