Musical instruments for preparatory instrument training
On this page you will find all the instruments you can try out in the preparatory instrument training. You will try out one instrument for six months. The aim is to find the most suitable instrument for each student to continue learning to play after the preparatory instrument training. Take a look at the videos below and find the instruments you like!
Bass
Bass is a stringed instrument with four strings. The bass is usually part of a group of instruments in a band. Its job is to support the band by playing a solid rhythm and harmony foundation. The bass is the base of the band on which all the other players rely. The bass is often the lowest and “roughest” sound in the band.
Famous bassists: Flea, Jaco Pastorius, Eeva Koivusalo, Lauri Porra, Kaisa Mäensivu, Elli Haloo, Tal Wilkenfeld, Meshell Ndegeocello, Esperanza Spalding, Carol Kaye, Nik West, Maria “Malla” Rantanen, Mirjami “Mimmu” Hirvonen, Arja Paju
Guitar
The guitar is a stringed instrument with six strings. The guitar is usually part of a group of instruments in a band. The guitar often plays a very versatile role in a band, as it can either play the melody of a song or accompany the song with chords. Guitar strings can therefore be played either one at a time or simultaneously.
Famous guitarists: Lari Basilio, Lita Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Jett, Alexi Laiho, Erja Lyytinen, Pat Metheny, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Satriani, Slash, Nita Strauss, Nikki Stringfield, Susan Tedeschi, Teemu Viinikainen
Percussion instruments
Percussion instruments are a variety of instruments that can be struck, swung or shaken to produce a rhythm. Percussion instruments belong to the family of rhythm instruments. They produce a variety of sounds and enrich the band’s soundscape. The important role of percussion instruments is to create rhythm and colour in the ensemble.
Famous percussionists: Mongo Santamaría, Sheila E., Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, Mamba Assefa, Tiina Laukkanen
Mallet players
Mallet instruments are instruments that are played with specially designed pegs, or mallets. Mallet instruments include vibraphone, xylophone, marimba and bell-piano, all of which have their own sound. The strings of mallet instruments are usually arranged in the same order as those of a piano. Mallet instruments play a very versatile role in a band, and can play both melodies and chords.
Famous modelers: Gary Burton, Mike Mainieri, Roy Ayers, Milt Jackson, Panu Savolainen , Ruth Underwood, Evelyn Glennie
Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest-pitched instrument in the brass family. The sound of the trumpet is produced by blowing into the mouthpiece. In addition to the mouthpiece, the trumpet has valves to change the sound to be played and a bell section to amplify the trumpet’s stately sound. The trumpet can be used in a band either as a solo soloist or as part of a larger section.
Famous trumpeters: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Ingrid Jensen, Yazz Ahmed, Roy Hargrove, Arve Henriksen, Verneri Pohjola
Trombone
A trombone is a brass instrument consisting of a mouthpiece, slide and bell part. Like other brass instruments, the trombone is made by blowing into the mouthpiece. By pulling and pushing the slide of the trombone, the sound to be played is changed. The slide is not found on other brass instruments and is therefore a part specific to the trombone. The sound of the trombone is soft and often lower than that of other wind instruments. In a band, the trombone can play a solo solo role or be part of a larger section.
Famous trombonists: Nils Landgren, Trombone Shorty, Frank Rosolino, Katja Toivola, Kasperi Sarikoski, Jay Kortehisto
Saxophone
The saxophone is a woodwind instrument, even though it is made entirely of metal. The sound of the instrument is produced by blowing into the mouthpiece, to which a leaf attached begins to vibrate under the force of the blowing. The saxophone has a number of flaps that can be pressed to change the pitch. Saxophones come in both large and small sizes. The alto saxophone is usually the starting instrument. The saxophone can be used in a band either as a solo instrument or as part of a larger section.
Famous saxophonists: Charlie Parker, David Sanborn, John Coltrane, Gerald Albright, Adele Sauros, Michael Brecker, Jukka Perko, Linda Fredriksson, Manuel Dunkel, Aleksi Ahoniemi, Candy Dulfer
Flute
The flute is a woodwind instrument, although it is usually made entirely of metal. Flutes are the oldest man-made instruments. The sound of a flute is produced by blowing into its mouthpiece. The flute has a series of flaps that can be pressed to change the pitch. There are many different types of flutes, but for instrumental training we use the transverse flute. A flute can be used in a band either on its own in a solo role or as part of a larger section.
Famous performers: Bobbi Humphrey, Hubert Laws, Elena Pinderhughes, Joe Farrell, Pope Puolitaival, Althea Rene