Take-off! 1 | Students Book | Jan Utbult

Take-off! 1 is an instrumental method for beginner wind students, which is ideal for full-class teaching, for wind bands, brass bands and ensembles of any size. It’s flexibility allows an endless combination of any wind instruments, and it’s versatility even means that it can be used for individual tuition and for performance material.

With Take-off! 1 no previous knowledge is necessary as the method starts at the very beginning, is progressive, and can be adapted to the individual pupil or ensemble. Students learn to play great melodies with a range of just seven easily manageable notes, and all the tunes are played in unison. There are six ‘pit stops’ with musical games and puzzles to help read music, train the hearing and develop a sense of rhythm.

The tracks on the accompanying Take Off! 1 CD are creative, modern and an indispensable aid to motivation. The tunes are catchy, making them fun to play!

In the beginning, Oboe, French horn and E♭ horn students may find it challenging to play the same seven notes as the other wind instruments, therefore all the pieces for Oboe, and the first 17 pieces for both French horn and E♭ horn, have an alternative part that’s easier to play. Where these alternatives are provided, the pieces are also included at the end of the books exactly as played by the other instruments.

Similarly, at the end of the flute book, the pieces are written out again but at a lower pitch. Pupils who struggle, for example, to close all the keys for D, or who find the move from F to E♭ difficult, can play these pieces instead.

The chords for accompanying instruments can be used by the teacher or an experienced pupil to provide backing on the keyboard or guitar. Beginners on these instruments play the melody along with the rest of the ensemble.

The student’s book includes a CD of all the pieces in two versions: one played by the whole orchestra and another with just the accompaniment, allowing the student to play the melody. The audio tracks are also provided in mp3 format which can be played on a computer.

All songs on the CD are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and other streaming and download services.

Take Off! 1 series:
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet / Cornet, Horn in F, E♭ (Tenor) horn,
Trombone (Bass Clef), Trombone (Treble Clef),
Euphonium / Baritone (Bass Clef), Euphonium / Baritone (Treble Clef),
Tuba, Bass in E♭, Bass in B♭
Accompaniment for Keyboard or Guitar
Conductors score