John Kinyon's Basic Training Course, Book 2: Comb Bound Book & Complete Score

This method bridges individual lessons, sectional rehearsals, and full ensemble work without compromising musical quality or pedagogical depth. The comb binding is genuinely functional—students see themselves turning pages confidently at the stand, and teachers appreciate a book that stays open during instruction without constant repositioning. Kinyon's sequences build systematically, allowing mixed-ability groups to progress together while allowing stronger players to push ahead.

Clear and purposeful. Each exercise has a reason; there's no padding or busywork. Students move through material with steady confidence, meeting small technical challenges that feel accomplishable. The comb binding removes friction from the learning process itself—the physical act of using the book becomes seamless rather than a frustration.

Music educators building a beginning band program from the ground up, whether teaching individual students, homogeneous sectional groups, or a mixed ensemble of first-year players. Teachers working in diverse settings—traditional schools, community music centers, or private instruction spaces—will find the method's flexibility matches real teaching situations. This is the book for directors who value both solid pedagogy and practical classroom design.

• Balance sectional work alongside full-band rehearsals; the method's design supports both, so use dedicated sectional time to lock rhythms and intonation before bringing sections together.
• Establish consistent fingering and embouchure habits early with these foundational exercises; students will carry these fundamentals through more complex repertoire.
• Encourage students to practice passages away from the book by memory once they're secure; this reinforces the shift from reading to musicianship.
• Use the lay-flat binding to your advantage during rehearsal by positioning books at comfortable sightlines rather than having students crane their necks at steep angles.

This is your foundation text for years one and two of instrumental instruction. Work through it during fall and winter rehearsals when building core technique and sight-reading skills matters most, then transition to concert repertoire in spring using the habits students have developed. The method's design also makes it ideal for summer music camps or intensive workshop settings where groups of varied instruments need rapid progress on fundamentals.

• Reading standard notation in treble and bass clefs
• Counting and maintaining rhythmic accuracy across simple and compound meters
• Breath control and phrase shaping
• Listening and blending with ensemble members
• Articulation and tone production specific to each instrument family
• Understanding major and minor tonality through melodic writing