Product Spotlight: Solid Foundation Band Method

Every once in a while you come across a unique product or service that you want to let others know about. Harmony Passion would like to present some "Product Spotlight" features to help musicians and music teachers find some great resources that will help them.

The product I want to mention today is a band method curriculum developed by Nick Kozar, band director and music educator on both the high school and college level. When I spoke with Mr. Kozar about his approach for developing these band instrument lesson books, he gave me some good insight.

One thing that he has found as a weakness in previous band method books that he used was the lack of rhythm training before students had to begin branching out and playing multiple notes. The Solid Foundation band method books teach students to begin with one note, but learning multiple rhythms, so that a proper rhythmic foundation is laid.

Another aspect of the books that I appreciate is that the melodies used are from traditional songs and hymns. The use of classic melody lines allows the student to be exposed to good music while at the same time learning to play.

Unless you know what you are looking for, these books are not so easy to find online. If you'd like to see the books and pricing, I have included the links below:

• Solid Foundations -- Flute
• Solid Foundations -- Oboe
• Solid Foundations -- Alto/Baritone Saxophone
• Solid Foundations -- Tenor Saxophone
• Solid Foundations -- Clarinet
• Solid Foundations -- Bassoon
• Solid Foundations -- Trumpet
• Solid Foundations -- Trombone/Baritone
• Solid Foundations -- French Horn
• Solid Foundations -- Tuba
• Solid Foundations -- Drums/Bells
• Teacher Guide
• Conductor Score

For more music education products by A Beka Book, click here.