Brass Courses

Principal instrument study level 5 brass.

Principal instrument study level 6 brass.

Principal instrument study level 7 brass.

Principal instrument study level 8 brass.

Private instruction is part of the performance core for all Berklee students. Through private instruction, students develop proficiency on their principal instrument, synthesize and integrate knowledge of contemporary and traditional styles into musical interpretation, and synthesize and integrate knowledge of posture and instrumental technique into their daily practice routines. All Berklee students take private instruction levels one through four on their principal instruments. Performance majors continue on to do levels five through eight.

The Brass Department at Berklee emphasizes a solid foundation in the standard technical challenges of professional performance. This includes the basics—breathing, embouchure, articulation, valve or slide technique—as well as theoretical studies involving scales, chords, arpeggios, and repertoire. Students are encouraged to become versatile and skilled players in a variety of genres, as well as developing their own unique style and perspective.

• PIBR-111: Private Instruction 1 – Brass 
• PIBR-112: Private Instruction 2 – Brass
• PIBR-211: Private Instruction 3 – Brass
• PIBR-212: Private Instruction 4 – Brass
• PIBR-311: Private Instruction 5 – Brass
• PIBR-312: Private Instruction 6 – Brass
• PIBR-411: Private Instruction 7 – Brass
• PIBR-412: Private Instruction 8 – Brass

This course will explore the roots of and multicultural influences on brass bands in the Americas through lecture and performance. It will explore the influence of different cultures—including French, German, Italian, Irish, Spanish, African, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Brazilian—as well as brass band development in the Americas, from American Civil War bands to hip-hop, reggaeton, and current-day New Orleans and New York brass bands. The course is a historically interactive performance ensemble. 

This course teaches the incredible benefits of singing everything one plays. This course explores and connects the origins of solfège, Guido d'Arezzo, the teachings of amazing wind teacher Arnold Jacobs, scat singing, and the long tradition of singing to enhance musical performance of every kind. It benefits basic playing technique like tone development, rhythm, playing in tune, pitch development and musical phrasing. It benefits improvisers beginning to advanced and a proven method to learn how to play what one hears. It’s the first and most important step to transcribing solos and deciphering what is in one’s mind/ear. Singing improves general musicianship and trains the ear to truly play what one hears and imagines.

First level of principal instrument recital preparation for performance majors. 

Second level of principal instrument recital preparation for performance majors. 

Taken in conjunction with ILRE-375. Includes preparation of repertoire for performances in the recital workshop.

Includes preparation of repertoire for a public performance as a leader.

Includes preparation of repertoire for the jury, which must be presented successfully in order to schedule the senior recital.