The Young Composer

Meet the great composers, learn music theory, and start composing your own music — free interactive tools for young musicians.
← All printables
Cover of Concert Band & Brass Band
Reference Chart

Concert Band & Brass Band

A side-by-side comparison of concert band, brass band and orchestra — line-up, size, clefs and who shares a part — plus a front-to-back guide to each band's instruments.

A4 · 1 page · 570 KB ⤢ View ⬇ Download PDF

What's inside

  • A side-by-side table comparing concert band, brass band and orchestra on line-up, size, players per part and clefs
  • Concert band front to back — flutes through percussion, with each section's role
  • The brass band's standard 25 parts, from soprano cornet down to the basses
  • Notes on writing for band, treating the clarinets as the string section
  • A practical note on transposing parts, and scoring at concert pitch first
  • Seating and range guidance, including a written top-G limit for young brass players
concert-bandbrass-bandorchestrationinstrumentationwind-band

You might also want

Reference Chart

Writing for Four Voices

Comfortable ranges for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, four rules that do most of the work in SATB writing, and habits for building a chord and setting words.

A4 · 1 page · 431 KB ⬇ Download
Reference Chart

Accidentals & Enharmonics

The five signs that raise or lower a note, how long an accidental lasts, and why the same pitch can be spelled two different ways.

A4 · 1 page · 313 KB ⬇ Download
Reference Chart

Aural Training

A two-sheet guide to aural tests — telling major from minor, chords and cadences by ear, finding the metre, writing down a rhythm you've heard, and how to answer decisively in the exam room.

A4 · 2 pages · 352 KB ⬇ Download

Looking for step-by-step lessons instead? Head to Music Theory. Want composing ideas? Try Composing.