The flute is a member of the woodwind family, despite modern concert flutes being made of metal. Sound is produced in a similar manner to blowing across a glass bottle.

The flute comes in many different sizes and ranges, most most common being the C Flute and the C Piccolo. While student model instruments are often made of nickle or resin, tone quality is improved when the instrument is made of or plated with silver or gold.

Recommended Brands: Yamaha, Powell, Pearl, Haynes, Jupiter, Armstrong, Bundy

Additional Required Supplies: Cleaning rod, cleaning cloth
Cleaning cloths can be cut from an old t-shirt or sheet, at least 7"x7".

Care and Maintenance: When handling the instrument, students should be gentle, and careful not to grab the rods and keys, or they are likely to bend and cause unnecessary repairs. The flute should be swabbed out after every use to prevent build-up of moisture and the development of rust and bacteria. Swabs should be pushed through all three joints gently, and stored outside of the case. Never put anything on the joining tenons! This can attract additional dirt and grime, making the instrument more difficult to put together and take apart. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside in the elements! This can cause warped pads, dry out glue, and dry out the headjoint cork (all of which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

Choosing a Flute: Flutes come with a few options. While most are for advanced and professional players, the higher quality the instrument, the better your child's overall tone will be, and the easier it will be to play.
Metal Choice: Nickle is the most common student model. This is ideal for first year players, as it allows them to develop their skills (including handling the instrument properly) before upgrading to an instrument that suits their level. Silver and Gold, while more expensive, produce significantly clearer tone quality, and are typically more responsive, making the instrument easier to play despite being slightly heavier.
Open or Closed Holes: Students in their first or second year of playing should choose a closed-holed instrument, while more advanced students (especially those considering careers in music) should opt for an open holed instrument.
In-line or Off-set G: This is referring to the third key on the left hand. Most people find the off-set G to be more comfortable, especially with smaller hands. In-line G is typically used at the collegiate or professional level, once the player has developed advanced technique.

B Foot or C Foot: The type of foot joint determines the number of keys on the foot joint (the smallest joint) of the flute. If you are looking to choose between these, be sure to think long term, and what your child's goals are with music. Elementary and middle school players have no need for the extra key, and should opt for the C foot. High school occasionally uses the B foot, and college/professionals regularly use the B foot.

The clarinet is a member of the woodwind family, though some student model instruments are made of a hard plastic.

The clarinet comes in many different sizes, the most common being a Bb (or B-flat) Clarinet and the Bb (B-flat) Bass Clarinet. Tone is produced through use of a reed properly secured on the mouthpiece, and is most pleasant from a Vandoren or Rico Royal reed that is unchipped/uncracked. Clarinets with bodies made of wood have darker tone qualities than their plastic counterparts.

Recommended Instrument Brands: Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer, Bundy, Vito

Recommended Reed Brands: Vandoren, Rico, Rico Royal

Additional Required Supplies: Clarinet cleaning swab, cork grease, at least 3 usable reeds (no chips, no cracks, not more than a month of use)

Care and Maintenance: Clarinets should be swabbed out after every use to prevent the buildup of bacteria, dirt, and grime. Wooden clarinets can become warped and cracked from moisture left in the instrument. Reeds should be removed after every use to prevent mold from growing. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause warped pads, dry out glue, and crack the body (all of which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

The saxophone is a member of the woodwind family, despite being made primarily of metal.

The saxophone comes in many different sizes, the most common being the Eb (E-flat) Alto Sax, Bb (B-flat) Tenor Sax, and Eb (E-flat) Baritone Sax. Tone is produced through use of a reed properly secured on the mouthpiece, and is most pleasant from a Vandoren or Rico Royal reed that is unchipped/uncracked.

Recommended Instrument Brands: Yamaha, Eastman, Vito, Selmer

Recommended Reed Brands: Vandoren, Rico, Rico Royal

Additional Required Supplies: Sax cleaning swab, cork grease, at least 3 usable reeds (no chips, no cracks, not more than a month of use), neck strap

Care and Maintenance: Saxes should be swabbed out after every use to prevent the buildup of bacteria, dirt, and grime. Rust can develop and pads can fall out from moisture left in the instrument. Reeds should be removed after every use to prevent mold from growing. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause warped pads and dry out glue (which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

The trumpet is a member of the brass family, and is most commonly found as a Bb (B-flat) Trumpet. Sound is produced by buzzing the lips together into a small mouthpiece.

Recommended Instrument Brands: Yamaha, Bach, Conn, King, Bundy, Selmer

Additional Required Supplies: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, valve brush

Care and Maintenance: Trumpets should have all four slides emptied after every use (tuning slide and third valve slide can be emptied using the attached water keys, while the first and second valve slides must be removed and shaken to remove excess moisture). Moisture left in the instrument can result in an inconsistent tone (like something is stuck in the instrument), as well as rust and decay on the water keys, causing a fuzzy tone. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause pieces of the instrument to become stuck, as well as cause damage to the delicate inner parts of the valves (which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

Students should use a few drops of valve oil in each valve once per day, and only remove/replace one valve at a time. Cleaning snakes and brushes should ONLY be used once per month in a bath following the proper protocols to avoid damaging the instrument. See Resources for proper brass cleaning protocols.

The trombone is a member of the brass family, and is the only instrument to use a large slide to change pitch, as opposed to keys or valves. Sound is produced by buzzing the lips together into a mouthpiece.

Recommended Instrument Brands: Yamaha, Bach, Conn, King, Bundy, Selmer, Jupiter

Additional Required Supplies: Tuning slide grease, trombone slide cream, Superslick slide treatment (optional), small spray bottle of water (optional) mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake

Care and Maintenance: A thin layer of trombone slide cream should be used on the large trombone slide each time the instrument is played. Superslick and a light water mist can be used to provide additional ease of movement of the slide. Trombones should empty their water keys at the end of the main slide after every use. Moisture left in the instrument can result in an inconsistent tone (like something is stuck in the instrument), as well as rust and decay on the water key, causing a fuzzy tone. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause pieces of the instrument to become stuck (which require repair) - not to mention encourages thieves!
Cleaning snakes and brushes should ONLY be used once per month in a bath following the proper protocols to avoid damaging the instrument. See Resources for proper brass cleaning protocols.

Choosing a Trombone: Trombones come with a few options. While most are for advanced and professional players, the higher quality the instrument, the better your child's overall tone will be, and the easier it will be to play.
Trigger Attachment: The trigger attachment may look complicated, but it is an incredibly useful design. With just a small movement of the thumb, the player is able to use different slide positions, allowing them to play more quickly and with less slide movement.

The baritone and euphonium are members of the brass family. Sound is produced by buzzing the lips together into a mouthpiece.

Recommended Instrument Brands: King, Conn

Additional Required Supplies: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, valve brush

Care and Maintenance: Baritones and euphoniums should have all slides emptied after every use (using water keys where available, and by removing the slide for the remainder). Moisture left in the instrument can result in an inconsistent tone (like something is stuck in the instrument), as well as rust and decay on the water keys, causing a fuzzy tone. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause pieces of the instrument to become stuck, as well as cause damage to the delicate inner parts of the valves (which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

Students should use a few drops of valve oil in each valve once per day, and only remove/replace one valve at a time. Cleaning snakes and brushes should ONLY be used once per month in a bath following the proper protocols to avoid damaging the instrument. See Resources for proper brass cleaning protocols.

The baritone and euphonium are members of the brass family. Sound is produced by buzzing the lips together into a mouthpiece.

Recommended Instrument Brands: King, Conn

Additional Required Supplies: Valve oil (or rotor oil for some models), tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, valve brush

Care and Maintenance: Baritones and euphoniums should have all slides emptied after every use (using water keys where available, and by removing the slide for the remainder). Moisture left in the instrument can result in an inconsistent tone (like something is stuck in the instrument), as well as rust and decay on the water keys, causing a fuzzy tone. The instrument should be stored in its case in a cool, dry room when not in use. Never leave an instrument in a car or outside with the elements! This can cause pieces of the instrument to become stuck, as well as cause damage to the delicate inner parts of the valves (which require immediate repair) - not to mention encourage thieves!

Students should use a few drops of valve oil (or rotor oil in some models) in each valve (or rotor) once per day, and only remove/replace one valve at a time. Cleaning snakes and brushes should ONLY be used once per month in a bath following the proper protocols to avoid damaging the instrument. See Resources for proper brass cleaning protocols.