Instruments
Jersey Music Service provides lessons on the following instruments:
Woodwind Instruments
All woodwind instruments make a sound either by blowing through a reed, which is a piece of wood specially shaped to make a sound, or by splitting the air across a hard edge.
To hear the woodwind family being played, visit the BBC Teach website.
The recorder offers and excellent introduction to wind instruments and music making. It introduces transferable skills and is therefore a good instrument for someone learning music for the first time.
Suitable Age: Reception +
Available to hire from JMS: No
The flute is the highest member of the woodwind family. It is small, light and easy to carry but requires a lot of air to produce its sound. The instrument’s sound is produced by blowing across the hole in the mouthpiece, much like blowing across a bottle top. The flute is used in many different kinds of ensembles including wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands. The flute is adaptable for players of different sizes, young players often starting on a flute with a curved head.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The clarinet is a highly versatile instrument with a very wide range. The instrument uses a reed to produce its sound. Clarinetists can play in many different ensembles, including wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands. Young players often begin lessons on the smaller Eb clarinet before transitioning onto the standard Bb clarinet.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The oboe has a beautifully haunting sound and uses a double reed to produce this. Considered an ‘endangered species’ of instrument, it is a fantastic choice for those pupils who wish to try something a little different and who will subsequently be in great demand as an ensemble player.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The bassoon is the largest and lowest member of the woodwind family, producing a very rich and sonorous tone. Like the oboe, the bassoon uses a double reed to produce its sound. The bassoon is often regarded as an ‘endangered species’ of instrument and therefore bassoon players will always be in demand in orchestras and wind bands. For smaller players, we have ‘mini’ bassoons that offer a perfect introduction to the instrument.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The saxophone comes in different sizes and pitches – JMS offer tuition on the alto and tenor saxophones. The instrument itself can be heavy to hold, however, a sling is used to support it whilst playing. Similar to the clarinet, the saxophone uses a single reed to produce its sound. It is a very versatile instrument and players enjoy opportunities in wind bands, jazz and big bands. Hand size is important for playing the saxophone and so smaller musicians may benefit from beginning tuition on the clarinet before transitioning to the saxophone.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
Brass Instruments
Brass players all make their basic sound in the same way: by ‘buzzing’ into the mouthpiece. The instruments of the brass family are very versatile and feature in a wide range of ensembles.
To hear the brass family being played, visit the BBC Teach website.
The trumpet is the most popular brass instrument and the highest member for the family. It is an extremely versatile instrument, featuring in many different types of ensembles, from orchestras to wind bands and big bands.
The cornet is very similar to the trumpet, being slightly smaller in size and featuring a more mellow sound. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for young musicians. The cornet is most commonly used in brass bands and wind bands.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
Unlike the rest of the brass family, the trombone features a slide which is used to change notes. The trombone features in a huge range of ensembles, including wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands. We have lighter plastic trombones well suited to young beginners.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The French horn is a tricky but rewarding instrument to play. A highly versatile instrument, its lovely mellow sound is well suited to many different styles of music. Horn players have opportunities to play in orchestras, wind bands and chamber ensembles. French horns come in different sizes, young beginners generally starting on a ‘mini’ horn.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The tenor horn works in the same manner as the trumpet but is slightly larger and therefore lower in pitch. The instrument’s bell is directed upwards whilst playing. The tenor horn in used widely in wind and brass bands.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
Both the baritone and euphonium are played in the same manner as the trumpet and tenor horn, using valves to move between notes. Both instruments have a deep tone, being pitched an octave lower than the trumpet. Both instruments are used widely in wind and brass bands. Players who begin on the baritone or euphonium may think about moving over to the tuba in the future.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The tuba is the biggest and lowest member of the brass family. The instrument is used in many genres from classical to jazz. Considered an ‘endangered species’ of instrument, tuba players will therefore always be in demand as ensembles – the tuba is the foundation of the ensemble. We have smaller sized tubas perfect for beginners.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
String Instruments
Sound is produced on string instruments by drawing the bow across one of the four strings or by plucking the string with a finger. All string instruments come in a range of different sizes, meaning that they can grow with the player.
To hear the string family being played, visit the BBC Teach website.
The violin is the smallest and highest member of the string family. It is played with the instrument under the chin on the left side. The violin is a highly versatile instrument, capable of playing many different styles of music.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training String Orchestra, Intermediate String Orchestra, Jersey Youth String Orchestra
The viola is played in the same manner as the violin but is slightly larger, giving it a richer and more sonorous tone. It is an excellent choice for those who wish to learn something a little different and viola players are always in demand to play in orchestras.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training String Orchestra, Intermediate String Orchestra, Jersey Youth String Orchestra
The cello is the second largest member of the string family. The cello is played in an upright position with the left hand resting on the back of the next. The right hand either plucks the strings or holds the bow. It is renowned for its beautiful singing tone. Cello players are always in demand to play in orchestras.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training String Orchestra, Intermediate String Orchestra, Jersey Youth String Orchestra
The largest and lowest member of the string family, the double bass is used in many genres, from classical to rock. It is considered an ‘endangered species’ of instrument and therefore double bassists will always be in high demand as ensemble players – the double bass is the foundation of the ensemble.
Suitable Age: Year 3 +
Available to hire from JMS: Yes
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training String Orchestra, Intermediate String Orchestra, Jersey Youth String Orchestra
Other Instruments
A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater or hand. Percussion is an umbrella term for instruments including the drum kit, tuned percussion (e.g. xylophone, glockenspiel, timpani) and untuned percussion (e.g. snare drum, congas, bongos). Percussionists have the opportunity to play in a wide variety of ensembles from wind bands and orchestras, to brass bands and big bands.
To hear some of the percussion family being played, visit the BBC Teach website.
The JMS Hire Service is unable to provide hire of percussion instruments. Parents are required to buy their child a drum practice pad, at minimum, for home practice.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: No
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Training Wind Band, Intermediate Wind Band, Jersey Youth Wind Band
The keyboard is a popular beginner’s instrument. Very versatile, keyboard players can explore a range of styles, including, classical, jazz and popular music. The keyboard is generally considered a solo instrument and so there are limited opportunities for ensemble playing.
This is one of the instruments that the JMS Hire Service does not stock. Parents are required to purchase an instrument for their child prior to their first lesson, to be used for home practice. Keyboards will be in place at your child’s school for lessons to take place on.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: No
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: N/A
The guitar comes in different sizes to fit the pupil and can be re-strung for left-handed pupils. There are severa styles of guitar playing, including folk, classical, jazz and rock.
This is one of the instruments that the JMS Hire Service does not stock. Parents are required to purchase an instrument for their child prior to their first lesson.
Suitable Age: Year 2 +
Available to hire from JMS: No
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: Guitar Ensemble
The ukulele is a fun instrument that offers an excellent introduction to music. The instrument is adaptable to a wide range of styles and many popular songs are easily playable on the ukulele’s four strings.
This is one of the instruments that the JMS Hire Service does not stock. Parents are required to purchase an instrument for their child prior to their first lesson.
Suitable Age: Year 1 +
Available to hire from JMS: No
JMS Ensemble Opportunities: N/A