Explore New Song Brass Lessons

Brass Lesson Options
At New Song School of the Arts (NSSOTA), students can explore and master a wide range of brass instruments, from the tuba to the trumpet, under the guidance of highly skilled, professional instructors. Brass instruments are known for their rich, resonant sounds and require strong breath control, proper posture, and precise embouchure. NSSOTA offers private, in-home, and virtual lessons that cater to students of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an advanced player looking to refine your technique, NSSOTA provides a tailored educational experience to meet every student’s needs.
Private lessons offer a personalized learning environment where students can focus on their chosen instrument, developing their skills with one-on-one guidance from their instructor. Each brass instrument presents unique challenges, and NSSOTA’s professional teachers create individualized lesson plans to address these needs, ensuring students build a strong foundation in both technique and music theory.
Tuba
As the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument, the tuba provides the deep, foundational bass line in ensembles and orchestras. Learning to play the tuba at NSSOTA involves mastering proper breath support, posture, and finger technique to navigate its large size and low range. Instructors focus on reading bass clef (as the tuba’s music is typically written in this format) and teach students how to develop the strength and control needed to produce clear, rich tones.
French Horn
The French horn is known for its circular shape and warm, mellow tone. It requires precise embouchure and control due to its intricate tubing and higher range. Instructors guide students through the complexities of hand positioning in the bell and breathing techniques to create smooth transitions between notes. French horn players will learn to read treble clef and develop a solid understanding of pitch accuracy, which is essential for playing in tune with other instruments.
Trombone
The trombone is distinct among brass instruments because of its sliding valve mechanism, which allows players to adjust pitch by moving the slide to different positions. Learning the trombone involves developing a strong sense of ear training to hit the correct pitch, as there are no defined “valve positions” like other brass instruments. NSSOTA’s instructors focus on slide technique, intonation, and music phrasing. Trombone students will learn to read both bass and tenor clefs, depending on the music they are performing, and they will explore both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Trumpet
The trumpet is the smallest and highest-pitched brass instrument, known for its bright, clear sound. Trumpet lessons at NSSOTA emphasize developing strong embouchure control, finger dexterity for the valves, and breath management. Instructors work with students to achieve clean articulation and smooth transitions between notes. Trumpet students will learn to read treble clef and will explore a wide range of musical genres, from classical to jazz to contemporary music.
Euphonium
The euphonium is similar to the baritone saxophone in size and shape, with a mellow, low-pitched sound that sits between the tuba and the trombone in terms of range. NSSOTA’s euphonium instructors guide students through mastering finger technique for the valves and developing the breath support needed to sustain long, low notes. Euphonium students will learn to read bass clef and will explore both solo repertoire and ensemble playing, where the euphonium often carries important melodic lines.
NSSOTA offers virtual and in-home lessons, allowing students to learn brass instruments from the comfort of their home. Virtual lessons use secure platforms, enabling instructors to provide real-time feedback on technique, posture, and sound production. For students with busy schedules or transportation challenges, virtual lessons offer the flexibility to continue their musical education without compromising on quality.
In-home lessons bring the instructor directly to the student’s home, offering personalized guidance in a familiar environment. This option is ideal for families who prefer a convenient, flexible approach while ensuring students receive the same professional instruction they would receive in a traditional classroom setting.
New Song School of the Arts provides ample opportunities for brass students to perform in front of an audience, whether in group settings or as part of recitals. These performances help build confidence and stage presence, which are essential skills for any musician. Students in both private and group lessons will be invited to showcase their progress during recitals held in the school’s Recital Hall or Black Box Theater. Additionally, group lessons often culminate in ensemble performances, where students can experience the thrill of playing with others in a live setting.
In addition to teaching technical aspects of each instrument, NSSOTA’s brass instructors place a strong emphasis on music literacy. Reading music is an essential skill for all musicians, and brass players will learn how to read treble, bass, and tenor clefs, depending on their instrument. Lessons begin with simple exercises and progress to more complex pieces as students advance. Instructors cover the basics of note reading, rhythms, dynamics, and articulation, ensuring that students have a comprehensive understanding of how to interpret and perform music.
NSSOTA also integrates music theory into lessons, helping students understand the structure of the pieces they are playing. This includes learning about chords, scales, and musical forms, which are crucial for both solo and ensemble performance.
Learning a brass instrument at New Song School of the Arts offers students a comprehensive and supportive musical education. Whether you’re interested in the tuba, trumpet, French horn, trombone, or euphonium, NSSOTA’s expert instructors will guide you through the process of mastering your instrument. With options for private, group, and virtual lessons, students can enjoy a flexible, personalized approach to music education while developing skills in reading music, technique, and musicality.
THE LEARNING PROCESS:
A Structured, Supportive Approach
Sight Reading
- Understanding the Language of Music: Continuous sight-reading exercises help brass students master the language of music. By regularly practicing note reading, brass players develop the ability to quickly interpret musical notation, improving their versatility across classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. This essential skill enables brass musicians to play new pieces accurately and confidently.
Rhythm
- The Heartbeat of Music: Developing strong rhythm skills is crucial for playing music with accuracy and flow. Brass students practice rhythmic exercises, use a metronome, and participate in ensembles to internalize timing and syncopation. Mastering rhythm helps students maintain steady tempo and confidently perform in solo or group settings.
Technique
- Promoting Musicianship & Artistry: Proper technique is vital for developing musicianship and artistry. Brass instructors focus on embouchure, breath control, finger or slide technique, and posture to ensure students build a solid technical foundation. These skills allow for smooth and precise playing, preventing injury and enhancing musical expression, whether performing classical repertoire or contemporary pieces.
Music Theory
- Deepening Appreciation and Understanding: Regular music theory lessons are integrated into brass instruction, helping students understand scales, chord progressions, key signatures, and harmony. This knowledge enhances their ability to interpret and perform a wide range of musical genres while improving their improvisational and compositional skills.
Ear Training
- Empowering & Equipping to Play by Ear: Ear training helps brass students recognize intervals, chords, and melodies, empowering them to play by ear. This skill boosts their improvisational abilities and deepens their understanding of phrasing, dynamics, and harmonic structures.
Performance
- Becoming a Well-Rounded Musician: Performance is central to brass instruction at New Song School of the Arts. Regular recitals and group performances give students the opportunity to showcase their progress, build stage confidence, and overcome performance anxiety. This experience shapes them into versatile, well-rounded musicians capable of excelling in various musical settings.
Music Explorer Program
Not sure where to start when choosing an instrument? Allow us to help you in this process.
Try three different instruments and do 4 consecutive lessons in each. Toward the completion of the third instrument choose which instrument to continue learning.
Young Scholars Program
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) emphasizes specific aspects of music such as music theory, music history, music appreciation, etc. This program creates strong musicians and is meant to compliment private lessons but is also perfect for a student not yet studying an instrument. Students in YSP desire a fun, engaging, in depth, and academic approach to musical knowledge and awareness. The “Young Scholars Program: Music Theory Class” incorporates thought-provoking activities and academic exercises that develop an understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of music. The class course culminates with the Texas State Theory Exam, and the student will be awarded based upon their test score. Relatedly, annual participation in the Texas State Theory exam looks great on college or scholarship applications.