#PlayOnWNY Beginner’s Toolkits

Beginner’s Toolkits

Click the tabs below to access videos on instrument basics for beginner students by BPO musicians.
Beginner’s Toolkits walk through basic mechanics, care and maintenance of the instrument, proper technique, and tips and tricks specific to each instrument.

VIOLIN
with Amy Glidden

Violin Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Tightening the Bow
1:41 Applying Bow Rosin
3:27 Handling the Violin
3:54 Putting on the Shoulder Rest
7:11 Cleaning and Putting Away the Violin
7:52 Sitting Posture
9:16 Standing Posture
10:26 Correct Bow Hold
11:11 Practice the Bow Hold
12:08 Placing the Bow on the String

VIOLA
with Matt Phillips 

Viola Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Tightening the Bow
1:24 Applying Bow Rosin
2:27 Tuning the Viola
3:45 Preventing Stuck Pegs
5:19 Holding the Viola While Standing
7:20 Sitting Posture
9:46 Correct Bow Position
11:16 Holding the Bow
12:33 Correct Bowing

CELLO
with Roman Mekinulov

Cello Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:08 Cello Introduction
0:51 Tightening the Bow
1:53 Applying Rosin
2:39 Correct Bow Hold
3:48 Parts of the Cello
5:13 Posture
6:12 Tuning
6:45 Beginning Books
7:28 Plucking
8:06 Bow Placement
8:39 The Cello Sound
8:59 Making a Good Sound
9:52 Left Hand Position

Beginner’s Toolkits walk through basic mechanics, care and maintenance of the instrument, proper technique, and tips and tricks specific to each instrument.

FLUTE
with Christine Davis

Flute Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Blowing in the Head Joint
7:49 Putting the Flute Together
11:52 Taking the Flute Apart
12:04 Correct Finger Placement
16:56 Breathing

Putting the Flute Together
with Christine Davis

OBOE
with Anna Mattix

Oboe Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Reeds
4:36 Embouchure
6:20 Putting the Oboe Together
12:13 Hand Positions
13:00 Make First Sound
14:00 Disassemble

ENGLISH HORN
with Anna Mattix

English horn Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:10 Reeds
6:00 Choosing a Bocal
9:00 Difficult Notes
11:28 Fingering Adjustments

CLARINET
with Patti DiLutis

Clarinet Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Good Breath
1:12 Good Breath
1:49 Diaphragm Stretching Exercise
3:55 Mouthpiece Setup
6:53 Embouchure
9:23 Tonguing
10:55 The Bridge Key
12:44 Hand Placement
13:00 Opening the Case
13:43 Putting Together the Clarinet
16:23 Putting Away the Clarinet
18:10 Swabbing the Clarinet
21:32 Tips for a Stuck Barrel

Putting the Clarinet Together
with Patti DiLutis

Clarinet Mouthpiece Set-up reference sheet

BASSOON
with Glenn Einschlag

Bassoon Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:17 Putting the Bassoon Together
5:09 Embouchure
7:17 Breath Support
10:09 Hand Position
12:16 Reed Wire Adjustment

Beginner’s Toolkits walk through basic mechanics, care and maintenance of the instrument, proper technique, and tips and tricks specific to each instrument.

FRENCH HORN
with Sheryl Hadeka

French Horn Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:33 Correct Breathing
2:25 Mouthpiece Placement and Embouchure
3:49 Buzzing
5:39 Holding the French Horn
6:07 Posture
6:59 Horn Placement
10:08 Right Hand Position
11:42 Emptying Condensation
14:11 Oiling Valves and Greasing Slides

TRUMPET
with Alex Jokipii

Trumpet Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:16 Holding the Trumpet
3:46 Embouchure and Buzzing
7:18 Mouthpiece Placement

Beginner’s Toolkits walk through basic mechanics, care and maintenance of the instrument, proper technique, and tips and tricks specific to each instrument.

SNARE DRUM
with Dinesh Joseph 

Snare Drum Beginner’s Toolkit reference sheet

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:31 Snare Drum Basic Setup
1:47 Putting the Drum on the Stand
3:36 Drum Angle
4:58 Where to Strike the Drum
6:24 Where to Stand
7:32 Tuning the Drum
10:53 Muffler
11:44 Basic Technique: Grip
14:50 Basic Technique: Stroke
18:28 Playing Evenly