How to Organize Band Instruments

Leading a band can be a challenge. Dozens of instruments playing one song can create beautiful music. However, the group must be properly organized to achieve that sound. Bunching the instruments together in clusters and organizing by chairs is the best way to achieve the full sound and power that a band is capable of producing.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place the percussion section at the center and rear of the band. They will provide the rhythm, so keeping them in the middle of the instruments provides some grounding for the overall sound of the music.

2. Sit the brass instruments to the right of the stage. This is convenient for the conductor because if the brass is too loud or soft, he can raise the entire section together. Organize the brass from deepest to lightest, meaning place the tubas in the back, the trombones closer and the trumpets in the front.

3. Organize the woodwind instruments to the left of the stage. This will make them easier to manage. Again, organize them from lowest to highest with bassoons and oboes in the back, clarinets in the middle and flutes in the front.

4. Choose a chair system for each instrument. Test each player on his ability and organize the players accordingly. First chair is generally the most accomplished player and gets more difficult music selections. Second chair is the second most accomplished player, and so on.

5. Wrap the entire band in a semi-circle around the conductor. The conductor should be the focal point for all musicians. This allows the band members to clearly see the conductor's commands and also makes it easy for the conductor to hear the full spectrum of the band.