At West Point School of Music, located in the heart of Chicago, music is more than just a subject – it’s a pathway to opportunity, empowerment, and creativity. Founded in 2011 as a non-profit organization, West Point provides free music education to students in underserved communities. But like many other schools across the country, they face the challenge of making music accessible to younger students and creating a stepping stone to more advanced instruments.
That’s where the pBuzz comes in.
For young students with smaller hands and less experience, learning a traditional band instrument like the trumpet or trombone can be a daunting task. Most band instruments are heavy and can be intimidating for children who are just beginning their musical journey. pBuzz is designed specifically to introduce students to the fundamentals of playing in a fun and approachable way, which is where it caught the eye of the team at West Point.
pBone Music caught up with two of the driving forces behind this pBuzz progression in Chicago...
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Ashanti Sims (l) and Manasseh Champion (r) from West Point School of Music.
Why pBuzz Works for the Pathway to Band
Ashanti Sims, Director of Programs at West Point School of Music, says that pBuzz is the perfect introductory tool for building a pathway to band. “We found that it was a lot easier to manage than a traditional concert band instrument. They’re much smaller, and the pBuzz is much lighter, while also teaching them how to buzz, how to take care of an instrument,” she explains.
One of the most significant advantages of the pBuzz is how it introduces the use of air as crucial to success on any woodwind or brass instrument. It also teaches how to create a sound, using buzzing techniques required for brass instruments. Learning to create a sound is critical to creating notes, and pBuzz simplifies this process. Ashanti highlights that the pBuzz helps teach students about the small movements required to produce a sound, movements that are directly transferable to traditional instruments.
pBuzz is especially valuable in bridging the gap between the early stages of music education and the more complex skills required for traditional instruments. By the time students move on to band instruments, they already have a solid foundation.
Identifying and Cultivating Talent for Band with pBuzz
Manasseh Champion, Associate Director of Programs and high brass coach at West Point emphasizes that pBuzz plays a crucial role in identifying students with a natural inclination for brass instruments. “Some of my most advanced high brass players started on either pBuzz or pTrumpet,” he notes. Manasseh observes that students who take to the pBuzz quickly often demonstrate a natural aptitude for brass, which can help educators identify potential trombone, trumpet, or tuba players at an early stage.
But even for students who don’t naturally gravitate towards brass, the pBuzz still serves an important purpose. It helps all students, regardless of their eventual instrument choice, develop essential musical skills such as pitch recognition and embouchure. “The ones who don’t play brass still have just a great foundation of hearing notes, understanding that this is F, this is G,” says Manasseh.
Teaching the Fundamentals with pBuzz
At West Point School of Music, pBuzz has become an integral part of the curriculum, helping students transition smoothly from general music education to concert band instruments.
Ashanti explains that the simplicity of the pBuzz helps students focus on the fundamentals: pBuzz encourages students to develop breath control, which is critical for producing a strong, clear tone on any instrument. Without the right amount of air, no note will sound correctly – a concept that Manasseh drills into his students from day one. “We just always tell them constantly it’s called wind instrument for a reason – you gotta put some air in there”.
Building Responsibility with pBuzz
Another key benefit of using pBuzz is that it teaches students how to care for and respect their instrument. Although it’s a lightweight and less expensive option compared to traditional brass instruments, students are still expected to treat it with care, preparing them for the responsibility that comes with more advanced instruments later on.
Manasseh incorporates this lesson into his teaching: “It’s like the incentive. It’s like, okay, if I take care of this pBuzz, then I get to move on to the trumpet”. The pBuzz acts as a training tool, not just for musical skills but for fostering accountability and discipline in students.”
One of the most challenging aspects of learning a brass instrument is mastering embouchure. With pBuzz, young students can practice embouchure without feeling overwhelmed by the size or weight of a traditional brass instrument. “We found it was really effective at getting them used to the buzzing sensation, which is such a key part of playing any brass instrument”. By mastering the embouchure on the pBuzz, students transition more easily to traditional brass instruments, where they will need to refine their technique.
Whether it’s teaching the fundamental skill of buzzing, building breath control, or helping educators identify future brass players, pBuzz is more than just a colorful instrument – it’s a key stepping stone to band and the musical development of young students.
As Manasseh aptly puts it, “It's been the starting point for so many brilliant young musicians we have here. So I’m very grateful for pBuzz”. And so are the students, whose path to band starts with this playful, yet powerful, instrument.
Check out the full interview with Ashanti and Manasseh here:
- Looking for free pBuzz resources to help your students progress? Check out our collection of pBuzz classroom resources.
- Ashanti and Manasseh have both utilized the pBuzz Teacher's Journey. Find out more about this method book.
- The Windy City isn't the only place that's buzzing with young musicians. Discover how pBuzz difference in Texas.
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