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Second Year Method Book

Posted by STX Band on 5/28/2025, 5:33 pm

Hello, last year I started a band program at a small class C middle school. My kids played from the EE 2000 beginner Book 1. What do you all recommend that I use with this group for their second year of band? I would like for them to learn more scales, rhythms,technique, ensemble pieces etc. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Re: Second Year Method Book

Posted by Blue on 6/7/2025, 10:37 am, in reply to "Second Year Method Book"

I also recommend the Blue Book. I feel the scale exercises helped my non varsity band become comfortable with the patterns they would see in music and sightreading. Start off slow and work up the speed. The students enjoyed the challenge as well. They did wonderful at SR that year, and they played as if the music was easy and familiar.

Re: Second Year Method Book

Posted by BD on 5/31/2025, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Second Year Method Book"

This may come across as odd, but I've had some good results with the original Ed Sueta Bk. 1. Yes, for year 2!

Also, Standard of Excellence, Book 1 and Accent on Achievement, Book 1, both for year 2.

I just learned to maneuver my way around in these books to provide my students with the necessary skill building activities. These books, for me, work well in full band as well as in my private lesson studio.

Of course these books were blended in with brass specific, ww specific, and perc. specific daily drill (tone, slurs, articulation, rolls, etc.)

Re: Second Year Method Book

Posted by DesertJazz on 5/30/2025, 7:19 pm, in reply to "Second Year Method Book"

The Blue Book mentioned gets a lot of love from people - I've never been as much into it though. With our varsity group we've tended to have more time on Region Etudes/Chromatic Scale in the fall to fulfill some of that need, and then focused on teaching through music selection.

With our NV group (we're a 1C as well) I discovered the 'Making Music Matter' books that Manhattan Beach put out. The 1st book that's meant for beginning students should never be used for beginners, but it's perfect as a 2nd year book for that group. (It moves recklessly fast on things for beginners!) For that second group it's been great for a refresh on notes, technique, throws harmony at them from the eighth number, and generally helps with sightreading prep too. Might be worth a look for your needs there too.

Re: Second Year Method Book

Posted by Buck on 5/30/2025, 6:13 pm, in reply to "Second Year Method Book"

This is kind of old school, but I like the Hal Leonard books (Brown is intermediate and blue is advanced).
Also, if you can find them, the green Nilo Hovey books are fantastic for what you are talking about. They’ve been out of print for a while now, but if you can find a set, get them!

Re: Second Year Method Book

Posted by 1A on 5/29/2025, 9:51 pm, in reply to "Second Year Method Book"

Blue Book is a great resource for more scales, pushing range, finger exercises, etc.

We usually use the All-Region scales and etudes in the Fall semester for our 2nd year players. This is in addition to working up some stand tunes to play at pep rallies and some concert pieces.

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