Playing familiar
melodies from songbooks will help students understand the relationship between sounds and notes.
Especially for instruments such as the tuba, there are not many opportunities to play melodies in an ensemble, so it is better to practice playing melodies alone until students can get a certain pitch on their instruments.
When doing so, pay attention to articulations and dynamics from the beginning.
Many bands tongue without paying attention to slurs. Make sure you can apply dynamics from the beginning.
Even in an ensemble, it is easier for beginners to check the sound if teachers prepare sheet music for everyone to play the melody in unison (octave) at the beginning. However, if teachers want to play a melody together with a Bb trumpet, F horn, or Eb alto horn, you need to find a song with a narrow range and choose a key that is easy for every students.