Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Clarinet

The clarinet is a member of the woodwind family and was originally made of wood. The sound is produced by a small, thin piece of cane called a reed. It is fastened firmly in the mouthpiece and vibrates when you blow it. The notes are changed by covering different combinations of holes which effectively make the pipe longer or shorter. The name Clarinet means 'little trumpet' and they are found in woodwind groups, concert bands and symphony orchestras, as well as big bands and jazz groups. Famous clarinet players include Benny Goodman and Richard Stoltzman, and you will instantly recognise the classic clarinet piece "Stranger on the Shore" performed by Acker Bilk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Clarinet has a beautiful, mellow sound. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

Because of its size, the standard Clarinet is best suited for children in year 4 upwards

What if my child is younger than year 4?

Some children are too small for the standard Clarinet. That's OK, the Mini Clarinet is played in exactly the same way and you can get a loan instrument until your child is big enough to swap to the standard one.  For more information check out the Mini Clarinet section below.

Is the Clarinet Easy to Care for?

Looking after your Clarinet is really easy. For more information click here.

What else will I need?

Reeds will need to be replaced from time to time as they are fragile and wear out eventually.

Why choose the Clarinet?

  • The Clarinet is easy to blow so most children will be playing tunes within a few weeks.
  • The hand positions are natural for beginners and similar to other reed instruments. So swapping in the future is quite straightforward.
  • Easy to carry around
  • All full sized Clarinets supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Mini Clarinet

The Mini Clarinet is a member if the woodwind family and allows smaller children to learn to play the Clarinet without having to wait until they're bigger. It's easy to blow and children make progress quickly. It even sounds exactly the same as a Standard Clarinet. Starting with the Mini Clarinet makes it easy to swap to a Standard Clarinet and then a Saxophone later on. It's easy to assemble and carry around. The name Clarinet means 'little trumpet' and they are found in woodwind groups, concert bands and symphony orchestras, as well as big bands and jazz groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Mini Clarinet has a beautiful, mellow sound, just like the standard Clarinet. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Mini Clarinet is ideal for children from year 2 onwards.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD OUTGROWS THE Mini Clarinet?

The next step is to move to the standard Clarinet.

IS THE Mini CLARINET EASY TO CARE FOR?

Looking after your Mini Clarinet is really easy. For more information click here.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

Reeds will need to be replaced from time to time as they are fragile and wear out eventually.

Why Choose the Mini Clarinet?

  • The Mini Clarinet is small and light making it ideal for younger children.  It's easy to blow and most children will be playing tunes within a few weeks. 
  • The Mini Clarinet is played in the same way as the Standard Clarinet, so swapping in the future is quite straightforward.
  • Easy to carry around.
  • Mini Clarinets from Normans are reconditioned instruments loaned to you until your child is big enough to swap to the brand new Standard Clarinet. 

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Flute

Although a member of the woodwind family, modern flutes are mostly made from metal. The earliest flutes date back over 35,000 years making them one of the oldest instruments in the world. They have been made out of lots of different materials including wood, bone, ivory, silver and even gold. The sound is produced by blowing across the hole in the head joint, similar to how you make a sound by blowing across the top of a bottle. The notes are changed by covering different combinations of holes which effectively make the pipe longer or shorter. Flutes are found in woodwind groups, concert bands and symphony orchestras, as well as big bands and jazz groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Flute has a beautiful, soft sound. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

Because of its size, the Flute is best suited for children in year 4 upwards

WHAT IF MY MY CHILD IS YOUNGER THAN YEAR 4?

Some children are too small for the Standard Flute. That's OK, the Curved Head Flute is suitable for children from Year 2 onwards. For more information check out the Curved Head Flute section below.

IS THE Flute EASY TO CARE FOR?

Flutes require very little care. For more information click here

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

There are no extra items to buy for the Flute.  

Why choose the Flute?

  • Flutes are very popular as they make a really beautiful, soft sound.  
  • Flutes are easy to assemble and require almost no day to day care.
  • Flutes are light and easy to carry around.
  • The Flute packages from Normans are supplied with the Abracadabra tuition book in addition to the Standard of Excellence book.
  • All Flutes supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Curved Head Flute

The only difference between the Curved Head Flute and the standard straight Flute is the inclusion of the curved headjoint. The Curved Head makes the instrument shorter and was invented to make it easier for smaller children to play. They sound exactly the same. The earliest Flutes date back over 35,000 years making them one of the oldest instruments in the world. They have been made out of lots of different materials including wood, bone, ivory, silver and even gold. Flutes are found in woodwind groups, concert bands and symphony orchestras, as well as big bands and jazz groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Curved Head Flute has a beautiful, soft sound. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Curved Head Flute is ideal for children from year 2 onwards.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD OUTGROWS THE CURVED HEAD FLUTE?

The Curved Head Flute is supplied with an additional "Straight" Head.  So as your child grows you simply remove the Curved Head and replace it with the Straight Head which turns it into a standard Flute.

IS THE Flute EASY TO CARE FOR?

Flutes require very little care. For more information click here

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

There are no extra items to buy for the Curved Head Flute.  

Why choose the Curved Head Flute?

  • Curved Head Flutes are very popular as they make a really beautiful, soft sound.  
  • Curved Head Flutes are easy to assemble and require almost no day to day care.
  • Curved Head Flutes are light and easy to carry around.
  • The Curved Head Flute packages from Normans are supplied with an additional Straight Head which turns your Curved Head Flute into a Standard Flute. They are also supplied with the Abracadabra tuition book in addition to the Standard of Excellence book.
  • All Flutes supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Alto Saxophone

The Alto Saxophone is a member of the woodwind family and was invented in 1846 by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian instrument maker. He wanted to develop an instrument loud enough to compete with brass instruments but to be played like a woodwind instrument. The sound is produced by a small, thin piece of cane called a reed. It is fastened firmly in the mouthpiece and vibrates when you blow it. The notes are changed by covering different combinations of holes which effectively make the pipe longer or shorter. One of the most iconic saxophone solos is in "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Alto Saxophone has a vibrant, rounded sound. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Alto Saxophone is quite heavy so is best suited to children in year 5 upwards.

WHAT IF MY MY CHILD IS YOUNGER THAN YEAR 5?

Some children are too small for the standard Alto Saxophone. That's OK, the Mini Saxophone is played in a similar way and you can get a loan instrument until your child is big enough to swap to the standard one. For more information check out the Mini Saxophone section below.

IS THE Saxophone EASY TO CARE FOR?

Looking after your Alto Saxophone is really easy. For more information click here.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

Reeds will need to be replaced from time to time as they are fragile and wear out eventually.

Why choose the Alto Saxophone?

  • Alto Saxophones are very popular as they make a vibrant, rounded sound and look really cool. 
  • Alto Saxphones are easy to assemble and require little care.
  • The hand positions are natural for beginners and similar to other reed instruments. 
  • All Alto Saxophones supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Mini Saxophone

The Mini Saxophone follows traditional saxophone fingering patterns and enables children to develop saxophone embouchure and playing skills at an early age. It has a surprising mellow sound and is a lot of fun to play even for an accomplished amateur sax player. For beginners with small fingers there is a set of plugs (training wheels!) which can be used to help seal the tone holes in the early days of learning. The Mini Saxophone is lightweight and super-durable and is 100% waterproof.  Colours may vary subject to stock availability.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Mini Saxophone has a vibrant, rounded sound. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Mini Saxophone is ideal for children in Year 2 upwards.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD OUTGROWS THE Mini Saxophone?

The next step is to move to the Alto Saxophone.

IS THE Mini Saxophone EASY TO CARE FOR?

Mini Saxophones require very little care. An occasional bath in warm soapy water is all it needs.  For more information click here.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

Reeds will need to be replaced from time to time as they are fragile and wear out eventually.

Why choose the Mini Saxophone?

  • Mini Saxophones are very popular as they make a vibrant, rounded sound and look really cool. 
  • Mini Saxphones are easy to assemble and require no day to day care.
  • Mini Saxophones are very light and easy to carry around.
  • Your child will be able to progress to the Alto Saxophone via Normans, with different options depending on which package you choose.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Trumpet

Trumpets were first seen over 3,500 years ago and were even found in Tutankhamun's burial chamber in Egypt. The earliest examples were made of wood or shell and have no valves as these were not added until around 1820. Trumpets and Cornets are quite similar. They both belong to the brass family and are played by blowing into a mouthpiece and pressing down valves to change notes. Trumpets appear slightly bigger although the tubing is exactly the same length. Trumpets can be found in a wide variety of groups, including concert bands, big bands, jazz bands and orchestras.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The trumpet sounds bright and vibrantClick here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Trumpet is best suited for children in year 4 upwards

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS YOUNGER THAN YEAR 4?

For younger children the Cornet is an alternative Brass instrument.  It is played in exactly the same way as the Trumpet but is more compact making it ideal for younger children.  For more information about the Cornet see the section below.

IS THE Trumpet EASY TO CARE FOR?

Trumpet maintenance is fairly minimal. Periodically you will need to oil the valves to keep them moving freely. From time to time wash the instrument inside and out with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. For more information on looking after your trumpet click here.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

The only extra item to buy is valve oil which lasts a long time and is inexpensive.

Why choose the Trumpet?

  • Trumpets are very popular as they make a vibrant sound and are very versatile. 
  • Trumpets require no assembly and minimal maintenance.
  • Trumpets are fairly light and easy to carry around.
  • All Trumpets supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Cornet

Cornets sound more mellow than Trumpets and consequently are often asked to play melodic passages. The earliest cornets were made of wood but modern versions are now usually made of brass. Cornets and Trumpets are quite similar. They both belong to the brass family and are played by blowing into a mouthpiece and pressing down valves to change notes. The Cornet is more compact than the Trumpet meaning it is often chosen by smaller pupils. There is no requirement to swap from Cornet to Trumpet when pupils grow, as Cornets are played in many types of band in their own right including concert bands, military bands and probably most famously brass bands as featured in the film 'Brassed Off'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The Cornet sounds warm and mellow. Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The Cornet is ideal for children in Year 2 upwards.

WHAT happens when my child gets older?

As your child grows there is no need to swap the Cornet as they are played by adults too.  If your child prefers the Trumpet they can swap at about Year 4 upwards. Cornets are played in exactly the same way as the Trumpet.

IS THE Cornet EASY TO CARE FOR?

Cornet maintenance is fairly minimal. Periodically you will need to oil the valves to keep them moving freely. From time to time wash the instrument inside and out with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. For more information on looking after your trumpet click here.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

The only extra item to buy is valve oil which lasts a long time and is inexpensive.

Why choose the Cornet?

  • Cornets are very popular as they make a mellow sound and are very versatile. 
  • Cornets require no assembly and minimal maintenance.
  • Cornets are fairly light and easy to carry around.
  • All Cornets supplied by Normans are brand new.

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Choosing an INSTRUMENT

Which instrument would your child like to play?

Recorder

The recorder is a member of the woodwind family and is ideal for small children to begin their musical journey. Recorders were first seen in the Middle Ages but didn't become popular until much later. They are often heard playing music from the Baroque era (roughly the 1600's). King Henry VIII was a big fan and had several different kinds that he played very well! To produce a sound we simply blow in the mouthpiece. The notes are changed by covering different combinations of holes which effectively make the pipe longer or shorter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it sound like?

The recorder is quick and easy to learn.  Click here to listen to an example.

Suitable Ages

The recorder is ideal for children in Year 2 upwards.

WHAT happens when my child gets older?

The recorder is an ideal introduction to music and paves the way for playing any of the other instruments listed above.

IS THE Recorder EASY TO CARE FOR?

The most important thing to remember when looking after your recorder is to dry it inside and out after use.

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?

There are no extra items to buy for the Recorder.  

Why choose the Recorder?

  • Recorders are often an introduction to music before moving onto one of the other instruments.
  • Recorders require no assembly or maintenance.
  • Recorders are very light and easy to carry around.
  • All Recorders supplied by Normans are brand new.

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