Band Today, Part 1: Baritone (T.C.) Book

Ployhar's method strikes the balance every director seeks: clear, sequential instruction that never talks down to young musicians while maintaining genuine musical interest from the very first exercises. The Contemporary Band Course remains a trusted foundation precisely because it treats baritone players as full ensemble members from day one, not afterthoughts, giving them melodic responsibility and musical context alongside technical skill building.

Ployhar's writing invites young baritones into real music-making without overwhelm. Exercises progress logically, introducing concepts in measured steps while exercises and short pieces give students immediate satisfaction and a sense of belonging within the ensemble sound.

Beginning baritone players in full band classes, whether meeting in ensemble settings or taking individual lessons. This treble clef edition serves students who are reading in the higher clef and benefit from a method that scaffolds from basic note reading to early ensemble participation. The approach suits music programs starting band with diverse instruments and experience levels.

• Establish the baritone's role in the harmonic foundation early by having players listen to how their part anchors the sound of the full band, not just as support.
• Coordinate with tuba and low brass to lock ensemble blend; balance exercises written for these parts work best when rehearsed as a section first.
• Build embouchure strength gradually through the method's graded exercises rather than skipping ahead, since solid fundamentals prevent frustration later with more demanding passages.
• Connect tremolo clef notation to the sound by having baritones play passages alongside treble clef examples so they internalize the pitch relationships.

Use this book as the spine of beginning band instruction for your baritone section, coordinating with the other instrument books in the Contemporary Band Course so the full ensemble progresses together. The 32-page format works well for a full year of instruction when paired with supplementary technical and ensemble materials from the same series, allowing you to reinforce concepts without fragmenting your curriculum across multiple publishers.

• Reading treble clef notation with accuracy and fluency
• Fundamental breath control and long tone production
• Rhythmic precision in simple and compound meters
• Ensemble intonation and blend with other low brass
• Proper valve coordination and hand position on baritone
• Musical phrasing and articulation in short melodic phrases
• Sight-reading of progressively complex passages