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Suggested Band Instrumentation
Written by Dan Jacobi   

Suggested Band Instrumentation

Ever wonder how many instruments make up a balanced concert band?  Why is it that some bands have way too many alto saxophones and only two trombones?  Here is a chart listing suggested instrumentation for bands of varying sizes.  Adapted from resources by Conn-Selmer, this lays out a basic framework for directors to follow.  It is geared toward the high school level, but is a great resource for bands of all sizes and ability levels.

Concert Band
 35-4040-5050-6060-7575-9090-110110-125125-150
Flute*
4
6
7
9
12
14
16
20
Oboe**
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
English Horn   
1
1
1
1
1
Bassoon
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
4
Contra Bassoon    
1
1
1
1
Bb Clarinet
8
10
12
16
18
22
24
28
Alto Clarinet 
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Bass Clarinet
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
Contra Alto Clarinet     
1
1
1
Contra Bass Clarinet   
1
1
1
1
1
Alto Saxophone
3
5
6
8
9
10
12
14
Tenor Saxophone
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
Baritone Saxophone
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Trumpet / Cornet
6
7
8
8
10
14
16
20
French Horn
4
4
4
5
6
8
8
10
Trombone
3
4
4
6
7
8
10
12
Bass Trombone  
1
1
1
1
1
1
Baritone Horn
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
Euphonium    
1
2
2
3
Tuba
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
6
Percussion:
3
4
4
5
6
8
9
12
Snare Drum        
Bass Drum        
Crash Cymbals        
Suspended Cymbal        
Orchestra Bells        
Toms        
Tympani        
Xylophone        
Vibraphone        
Total
40
50
60
75
90
110
125
150
* plus one doubling piccolo
** english horn double in larger ensembles
 
Additional Marching Instruments
 
Marching Trumpet (opt)
6
7
8
8
10
14
16
20
F Mellophone / Bb French Horn
4
4
4
5
6
8
8
10
Mar. Baritone / Euphonium
2
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
Sousaphone
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
6
Battery Percussion: 
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Marching Snare Drums
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Marching Toms
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Marching Bass Drums
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Crash Cymbals
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Pit Percussion: 
2
3
5
5
6
6
7
8
Xylophone
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Orchestra Bells 
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Marimba  
X
X
X
X
X
X
Vibes  
X
X
X
X
X
X
Chimes    
X
X
X
X
Timpani  
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bass Drum    
X
X
X
X
Concert Toms    
X
X
X
X

 

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IT was interesting
written by Michelle, October 01, 2009
i was looking for a seating arrangement not no.s

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