Junior High Band
Study Guides

8th-Grade Study Guide 1

Download a Microsoft Word version HERE.

  1. The five basic musicianship skills are Tone, Intonation, Technique, Rhythm, and Interpretation.
  2. Be able to identify the following forms: AB, ABA, ABC, Theme and Variations, and rondo.
  3. Know the basic careers in music (See below.)
  4. Know which note to play for concert Gb, B, E, and A.
  5. Know proper concert etiquette:
    1. Be early
    2. Dress properly
    3. Never enter or leave during a performance
    4. Applaud in the right places:
      1. at the end of the entire symphony or suite, not after every movement
      2. after improvised solos in a jazz concert
      3. when the conductor or soloist comes on stage
    5. You can emphasize the sincerity of your applause by:
      1. applauding louder
      2. applauding longer
      3. standing up (a standing ovation should be reserved for the most outstanding possible performance of a given piece)
      4. a combination of i, ii, and iii
    6. Don’t talk or make any kind of disturbance during the performance.
  6. The two types of meter are duple and triple.
  7. A quarter note usually gets one count in duple meter.
  8. A dotted quarter note usually gets one count in triple meter.
  9. The bottom number of a duple time signature is usually a four.
  10. The bottom number of a triple time signature is usually an eight.
  11. The most important rhythmic decision to make before playing a piece of music is to determine its meter.
  12. The correct spelling of the word rhythm is rhythm.
  13. The syllables we are using to count a set of four sixteenth notes in duple meter are: one e & a.
  14. The syllables we are using to count a set of six sixteenth notes in triple meter are: one ta la ta le ta.
  15. Be able to identify meter, mood, tempo, and dynamics of recorded examples.
  16. Determine if beats get faster, slower, stay the same, or disappear.
  17. Be able to identify and diagram the following rhythm patterns:
    Rhythm Patterns

Careers in Music

  • EDUCATION
    • ElementaryMusic specialist who teaches general music to grade-school age students
    • SecondaryConducts and teaches high school and junior high performing groups
    • CollegeTeaches theory, history, workshops, and advanced performing groups
    • AdministrationHires and fires teachers and sets curriculum
    • PrivateGives one-on-one instruction
  • PERFORMANCE
    • SoloistA traveling virtuoso
    • SymphonyA professional orchestra member
    • MilitaryA professional band of a branch of the service
    • Studio MusicianA recording artist
    • ChurchAn organist or choir director
  • CONDUCTORDirects a professional performing group
  • ENGRAVERA music artist
  • COPYISTRewrites music by hand in ink
  • PUBLISHEROversees the music publishing process
  • THERAPISTUses music to cure illness
  • COMPOSERWrites or creates new music
  • RECORDING INDUSTRY
    • Sound technicianMixes and balances sounds
    • Sound effectsCreates background noise
  • SALES
    • RetailA local music store worker
    • DistributorA music wholesaler
  • REPAIRMANFixes musical instruments
  • PIANO / ORGAN TUNERTunes and repairs pianos and organs
  • INSTRUMENT DESIGNERDecides how to make instruments
  • INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURERBuilds instruments
  • MUSICOLOGISTA music researcher
  • MUSIC CRITICGives his opinion of the final product
  • ACOUSTIC ENGINEERWorks with sound waves and construction
  • SOUND EQUIPMENT
    • DesignDecides how to make speakers, microphones, etc.
    • ManufactureMakes of builds speakers, microphones, etc.
    • SalesA local stereo store worker

Video Disclaimer

The attached videos are not perfect examples of how each tune should be played. They are recordings of junior high students, some of whom have had their instruments for only a few months. Also, they are not professional recordings. They were taken by band parents using home equipment and naturally focusing on their own children.

I include them for two reasons: (1) To give you an idea of what the arrangements are like, and (2) To illustrate the kind of performance you can expect from your junior high students.