Mouthpiece, Reed, Percussion & accessory Upgrades
Woodwinds
For clarinet and saxophone players, using reeds, a good ligature, and a better mouthpiece can make as much of a difference as an instrument upgrade. And if you do buy a new instrument, you should still buy a quality mouthpiece to go with it. Make sure to also purchase a quality ligature to go with the mouthpiece- otherwise many of the benefits of the better mouthpiece are lost. Another important factor is the reeds. While La Voz reeds are good, Vandoren reeds are better. A student who uses a medium hard LaVoz reed would use a 2 1/2 VanDoren reed.
As always, buyer beware. Brands really matter when you are buying upgrades. If you find a mouthpiece online that is way cheaper than at a music store, chances are it's a knockoff and won't give you the results you are looking for.
REeds Etc.
Oboe or Bassoon Reed Case
Protects Reeds
Clarinet, Saxophone Reed Case
Keeps the reeds from warping
Vandoren Reeds
Available on Clarinets and Saxophones Strength 2 1/2 corresponds to a La Voz MedHard
Vandoren V-12 Reeds
Available on Clarinets and SaxophonesVery consistent, easy to play, good all around sound. Can be less "stuffy" then regular Vandorens
Vandoren Jazz Reeds
Saxophones OnlyTry the 4-pack, then buy a box of the reeds you really likeDont' have to just be for jazz!
Handmade Oboe and Bassoon Reeds
Students will need to sample to find a reed they like. Places to start:Jones Artist Line reedswildflowerreeds.comACDC reedsbocalmajoritystore.cometsy.com
Clarinet Mouthpiece Upgrade:
Vandoren B45 for Clarinetis a great universal mouthpiece
Saxophone Mouthpiece Upgrade:
Selmer C* and Vandoren AL3, AL4, AL5 are great saxophone mouthpieces
Rovner Dark Ligature
Holds the reeds on more evenly and securly; results in a better and more consistent soundMouthpieces
and ligatures
Investing in a good mouthpiece can make a huge difference in sound! There are many great mouthpiece brands and models. Contact an area music store, who will let you test out the different ones. Some will even deliver to the school to let the student try it out.
Higher quality ligatures are a low cost upgrade and will hold the reed on more securely for a better, more consistent sound.
Brass
We begin brass players and mouthpieces that make it easier to play beginning notes. As players mature, they can handle a mouthpiece that requires more air, but delivers a fuller, more beautiful sound.
As always, buyer beware. If you find a mouthpiece online that is way cheaper than at a music store, chances are it's a knockoff and won't give you the results you are looking for.
Better Valve Oil
Trumpet
Al Cass
Better Slide Oil
Trombone
Yamaha Slide LubricantSlide-O-Mix All in One
Trumpet Mouthpiece
Bach 3C
There are many great mouthpiece brands and models. Contact an area music store, who will let you test out the different ones.
Trombones or Euphonium Mouthpiece
Bach 6 1/2 AL
(small shank for beginner trombones)There are many great mouthpiece brands and models. Contact an area music store, who will let you test out the different ones.
French Horn mouthpiece
Holton Farkas MDC
There are many great mouthpiece brands and models. Contact an area music store, who will let you test out the different ones.
Tuba mouthpiece
Bach 18
There are many great mouthpiece brands and models. Contact an area music store, who will let you test out the different ones.Percussion
You have a quality set of snare sticks, bell mallets, timpani mallets, and marimba mallets. What's next? Different tips and hardnesses of the same. Great resources are VicFirth.com and SteveWeissmusic.com.
Xylo - another pair of Musser 112 so you can play with two per hand
Xylo - a harder set such as Balter BBB7
Timpani - a harder set for staccato playing such as Vic Firth T3 Staccato
Snare Drum Sticks Vick Firth SD1
a good all around stick
Vic Firth Sticks in a variety of sizes/tips
Sizes to start with: 2A, 5B, SD1
Wire Brushes,
Hot Rods,
Etc!
Where to buy these things?
Buy local - the customer service can't be beat. Plus, these two stores visit our school weekly, meaning you don't even have to go to the store!
Be very wary if buying online. Specific brands and models make a huge difference.
Ward-Brodt Music (Fitchburg) and White House of Music (Watertown) and both make deliveries to our school weekly, and will be happy to let your student try out some different models of mouthpieces or instruments. If you visit these stores, they have many instruments on display and will let your student try them out.