Instruments

Please note: This section will be expanded to include elementary band instruments, guitars and other instruments. At the moment, it includes soprano recorders and keyboards.

Soprano recorders and keyboard labs are often the instrument of choice for teaching music literacy and performance in schools that do not provide a regular strings, band, or orchestra program. Below are some links to on-line resources for these instruments.

Keyboards:

Soundtree is a division of the Korg keyboard manufacturer that designs and supports keyboard labs for purchase by schools. The Soundtree website includes a collection of lesson plans which can be downloaded and used even if your school doesn’t purchase a lab.

Suzuki offers inexpensive keyboard labs. Their whole catalog is available online.

Soprano Recorder:

• Recorder Karate from MusicK8 is a popular teaching program, but most people rely on a mix of resources and materials.

• Do It! Play Recorder is a well-produced student book, with CD available (and extensive teachers’ edition) from GIA Publications.

• Various fingering charts are available: one British site has an interactive diagram some 3rd to 5th graders would find fun.

• Rockin’ Recorders, by teacher Kay Greenhaw, has transparencies you can print out and use in class.

• Recorder Homepage, by Nicholas Lander, is an enormous collection of resources.

• Dolmetsch Recorder pages are also enormous.

• Carnegie Hall offers two outreach programs, Music Explorers and LinkUp!, both of which involve whole class instruction in soprano recorder, and include a valuable prepared curriculum, and a culminating visit to Carnegie Hall.

Finding things on FAMIS

Item #: 604335865
Net Price: $16.38
Contract #: 1C50605
Description: BELLS , RESONATOR, 8-NOTE ‘STEP’ SET
U/M: EACH
Manufacturer Name: RHYTHM BAND INSTRUMENTS
Manufacturer Item #: RB2303
Vendor Catalog No: RB2303

The above description comes from the FAMIS site and identifies a staple item for early childhood music: the eight note “step-bell” set. This item is manufactured by Rhythm Band Instruments and can be found on the RBI website for $26.00 plus shipping. The price on FAMIS is $16.38.

On FAMIS, you’ll be ordering the step bells from the DOE’s contracted vendor: Bronen’s Music, in the Bronx.

Bronen’s “vendor number” is BRO057000. If you search that vendor number on the FAMIS site, you’ll see a 1000-item list of products Bronen’s offers for DOE customers. If you click on the name (Bronen’s Enterprises, Inc.) you’ll get a vendor listing with contact information. It’s strongly advised that you speak to the vendor personally before placing orders on FAMIS, for help finding things you want, or learning about availability. Naturally, the same is true with any of the other vendors listed above.