May the Musical Shoe Fit: Meet Your Instrument Day
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Each year, to welcome beginning musicians and set them up for success, Seattle JazzED hosts Meet Your Instrument Day. During the event, music educators leading the Summer Jazz Foundations Camp and the year-long Foundations program introduce and demonstrate all the available instruments for their new students. Throughout the day, students try out each of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass guitar, cello, violin and drums. At the conclusion of the event, they are asked to select the top three instruments that they’d like to play in the program.
The staff's responsibility is to then carefully consider the students’ instrument preferences and allocate the instruments in a way that ensures balanced classrooms. This process ultimately results in assigning each student with an instrument that they will be playing throughout the program.
But why is Meet Your Instrument Day important?
PERSONAL CHOICE
Different instruments have different sounds and playing styles. It is important for a musician to choose an instrument that THEY enjoy playing and that sparks joy within themselves.
COMFORT
Playing an instrument requires physical coordination and endurance. A musician should choose an instrument that feels comfortable to hold and play, as it will allow them to play for longer periods of time and with greater ease.
MOTIVATION
When a musician is playing an instrument they enjoy, they are more likely to be motivated to practice and improve their skills. This motivation can lead to greater success and enjoyment in their musical pursuits.
BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES
Gender stereotypes continue to persist at all levels regarding student participation in music. Instrument choice has been associated with gender stereotypes, with some instruments considered more "masculine" or "feminine" than others. For example, the drums are often associated with masculinity, while the flute is associated with femininity.
Any person, regardless of their gender identity, should have the freedom to choose the instrument that they are most interested in playing. Encouraging young people to explore a range of instruments can lead to greater opportunities for collaboration and learning.
CREATIVITY
When a musician has the freedom to choose their instrument, they can explore different sounds and techniques. This can lead to greater creativity and innovation in their musical compositions.
Allowing young musicians to choose their instruments based on personal preference and comfort can have a profound impact on their musical development, creativity, and lifelong interest in music. By encouraging all young people to explore a range of instruments, we can create a more vibrant and dynamic musical landscape that reflects the diverse interests and talents of musicians of all genders and backgrounds!
Meet Your Instrument Day is a required event for students participating in the Summer Foundations Camp and will be hosted at Seattle JazzED’s site (380 Boren Ave N) on Sunday, May 21 from 11AM-1PM.
Thanks to a community of generous donors and community members, Seattle JazzED is able to offer free loaner instruments and sliding scale tuition to all participating students. Learn more about how you can show your support of our mission to increase access to music education across our community by clicking here.
