About the Instruments
The following information on popular classes offered at SDMS may assist you in your selection of an instrument to learn. The minimum starting age is approximate, as sometimes students will need to have reached a particular size to be able to successfully play the instrument. Feel free to contact the Music Director if you would like more information. All students will need an instrument to practise on at home.
Enrolments for 2025 open on 1 November 2024.
Enrolments for Piano and Keyboard are now closed for 2025.
Enrolments for Guitar are now closed for 2025.
Enrolments for Violin and Recorder are now closed for 2025.
Strings: Violin from Year 2, Viola from Year 2 and Cello from Year 4.
Violin classes for 2025 are now full.
The violin, viola and violoncello are in large demand in orchestras and chamber music groups. They range from ¼ size to full size instruments to suit various ages. The violin is the most popular of the orchestral strings and has the highest pitch range. The viola produces a beautiful haunting tone while the `cello has a strong, warm tone.
Woodwind: Recorder from Year 2, Flute and Clarinet from Year 4, Saxophone from Year 6.
Recorder classes for 2025 are now full.
Many students begin on the recorder and may later move to other instruments once they have mastered note reading. The flute produces a clear high tone, is popular in orchestras, concert bands and chamber music. The clarinet is a single reed instrument that is versatile and can play a wide range of music. Some students learn the clarinet then move to saxophone, popular as an orchestra, concert band and jazz instrument.
Brass: Trumpet and Cornet from Year 3/4, Trombone from Year 7
The trumpet, cornet, and trombone are the power instruments. To be able to play them students must have their two front teeth! The trumpet makes a high, clear, bright sound, while the cornet is a little softer and easier to make a sound with. The trombone has a wide tonal range. These instruments are in demand in orchestras, concert, jazz and brass bands.
Percussion/Drums from Year 3
Students will learn playing techniques for a wide range of percussion instruments such as the triangle, maracas, claves, glockenspiel, drums, and marimba, and will also work creatively to compose their own pieces. Drum kit playing is also part of this course.
Piano Technique or Electric Keyboard Technique from Year 3 - classes for 2025 are now full
Most lessons are given in the student’s school.
Piano Technique: Students learn to read sheet music for both the left and right hands. An acoustic or digital piano is ideal for this technique. A standard 61 key keyboard is okay to learn piano on for the first few years, provided it is touch sensitive and has a pedal jack to add a sustain pedal.
Keyboard Technique: Students learn to read right hand sheet music only, and how to utilise the keyboard functions and single finger chords with the left hand. Advancing students may learn chord shapes with the left hand (full fingered chords). A standard 61-key keyboard of any vintage is perfect for this technique.
Guitar (accoustic) from Year 4 - classes for 2025 are now full
Students learn to read tab as well as notation. This is a very popular instrument, which plays most styles. Most students use a 3/4 size instrument.
Instrument Hire
All students require an instrument to practise on at home.
Cello, violin and viola are hired out by SDMS. Clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet are hired by KBB Music Christchurch (Papanui Branch, 51 Main North Road). The rates we charge have been subsidised by KBB Music.
All instruments are valuable. In the case of ill treatment, the instrument will be reclaimed with no refund possible, and the cost of the repair is invoiced to parents/caregivers. It is essential that any hire instrument is insured against all risks by your household insurance for it’s full replacement value. Your home/contents insurance company and policy number are required as part of the hire contract.
All wind and brass instruments must be collected from KBB on Papanui Road by a parent or caregiver once you are notified by the Music Director that the instrument has arrived in the Papanui Store. String instruments will be issued by the tutor at the students first lesson.
If repairs are needed, please contact the SDMS Music Director. Replacement of reeds, strings, rosin, valve oil, etc. are the hirer’s responsibility.
SDMS does not hire guitars, drum kits, keyboards, pianos or recorders.
Prices are indicative only and subject to change without notice.
Enrolments for 2025 open on 1 November 2024.
For all enquiries please contact our Music Director, Janet Simôn Ph 027 312 4562.