Junior High Band
Study Guides

8th-Grade Study Guide 2

Download a Microsoft Word version HERE.

  1. Know the names of the lines and spaces in the clef you use.
    1. The treble-clef spaces spell F A C E.
    2. The treble-clef lines are E G B D F (Every Good Boy Does Fine).
    3. The bass-clef spaces are A C E G (All Cows Eat Grass).
    4. The bass-clef lines are G B D F A (Good Boys Do Fine Always).
  2. The musical alphabet goes from A to G and then repeats.
  3. A sharp (♯) raises a note one half-step.
  4. A flat (♭) lowers a note one half-step.
  5. A double sharp (x) raises a note two half-steps or one whole-step.
  6. A double flat (♭♭) lowers a note two half-steps or one whole step.
  7. Accidentals (♯s, ♭s, ♭♭s, xs, and ♮s) remain in effect through the entire measure.
  8. A natural (♮) cancels previous accidentals.
  9. Another name for the treble clef is the G clef.
  10. Another name for the bass clef is the F clef.
  11. Enharmonic notes have the same fingering and sound, but different names. (Example: F♯ and G♭)
  12. Two sets of notes that are only one half-step apart are E-F and B-C.
  13. Depending on the key signature, each note represents three different sounds.
  14. The key signature determines the fingering for each note.
  15. Know the names of the following notes in your clef:
    Treble Clef Note Names
    Bass Clef Note Names

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.