On this page, you will find a list of supplies for your instruments. You can purchase many of these through Ellis Music with me at school or you can order them online. There are links to order the items online by clicking the links in each box of text.
Click your instrument to see your supplies!
You can choose a swab for free from me at school or you can order a silk swab from Hodge. They come in different colors, so you can choose your favorite! You will swab out your instruments after you play it so the moisture does not damage the pads.
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Reeds
Good reeds are super important for you to have a great clarinet tone! A box of 10 reeds should last you a few months if you take good care of them. Order 2.5 strength if you are in 6th grade or early 7th grade. By late 7th grade and 8th grade, you should move to a 3.0 strength.
Vandoren Reeds - produce a great tone, last longer, slightly more expensive
Royal Reeds - more affordable but does not produce a great tone
All instruments with a reed need cork grease! You will grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware that it will melt if you leave it in the sun or a hot car! (Don't leave your instrument in a hot car anyway!)
You can choose a swab for free from me at school or you can order a silk swab from Hodge. They come in different colors, so you can choose your favorite! You will swab out your instruments after you play it so the moisture does not damage the pads.
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Rico Reed Gard IV (optional)
This is an optional supply, but it will help extend the life of your reeds. Please do not get the D'Addario reed case. The ridges will damage your reeds!
Rovner Dark Ligature (optional)
If you decide you want to upgrade your ligature or you need a new one, this is the best option for you!
Neck Strap (optional but makes playing easier and more comfortable!)
This neck strap by Neotech comes with a clip that attaches to the thumb rest on your clarinet. A neck strap makes it more comfortable to hold the clarinet and makes it easier to play the keys with your right hand.
Hite Premiere Clarinet Mouthpiece (optional for intermediate players)
If you want a new mouthpiece, this one is great!
Vandoren 5RV Traditional Mouthpiece (optional for advanced players)
If you're really serious about clarinet and you want to upgrade to a professional mouthpiece, this is a great option.
Reeds
Good reeds are super important for you to have a great saxophone tone! A box of 10 reeds should last you a few months if you take good care of them. Order 2.5 strength if you are in 6th grade or early 7th grade. By late 7th grade and 8th grade, you should move to a 3.0 strength.
Vandoren Reeds - produce a great tone, last longer, slightly more expensive
Royal Reeds - more affordable but does not produce a great tone
All instruments with a reed need cork grease! You will grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware that it will melt if you leave it in the sun or a hot car! (Don't leave your instrument in a hot car anyway!)
You will need a large silk swab with a string because your instrument is so big. They come in different colors, so you can choose your favorite! You will swab out your instruments after you play it so the moisture does not damage the pads.
A neck strap is essential to playing alto saxophone because it is such a heavy instrument. This one by Neotech is a great option.
Rico Reed Gard IV (optional)
This is an optional supply, but it will help extend the life of your reeds. Please do not get the D'Addario reed case. The ridges will damage your reeds!
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Rovner Dark Ligature (optional)
If you decide you want to upgrade your ligature or you need a new one, this is the best option for you!
Hite Premiere Alto Sax Mouthpiece (optional for intermediate players)
If you want a new mouthpiece, this one is great!
Reeds
Good reeds are super important for you to have a great saxophone tone! A box of reeds should last you a few months if you take good care of them. Order 2.5 strength if you are in 6th grade or early 7th grade. By late 7th grade and 8th grade, you should move to a 3.0 strength.
Vandoren Reeds - produce a great tone, last longer, slightly more expensive
Royal Reeds - more affordable but does not produce a great tone
All instruments with a reed need cork grease! You will grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware that it will melt if you leave it in the sun or a hot car! (Don't leave your instrument in a hot car anyway!)
You will need a large silk swab with a string because your instrument is so big. They come in different colors, so you can choose your favorite! You will swab out your instruments after you play it so the moisture does not damage the pads.
A neck strap is essential to playing alto saxophone because it is such a heavy instrument. This one by Neotech is a great option.
Rico Reed Gard IV (optional)
This is an optional supply, but it will help extend the life of your reeds. Please do not get the D'Addario reed case. The ridges will damage your reeds!
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Rovner Dark Ligature (optional)
If you decide you want to upgrade your ligature or you need a new one, this is the best option for you!
Hite Premiere Tenor Sax Mouthpiece (optional for intermediate players)
If you want a new mouthpiece, this one is great!
Valve Oil
Blue Juice is my favorite, but another great option is Hetman Piston Lubricant #2. I recommend synthetic oil because petroleum-based valve oil leaves a residue in your instrument that can build up and be difficult to clean.
Slide Grease
All instruments with slides will need slide grease at some point. Venture is easy to use, but you can also use 100% pure lanolin which can be purchased at any pharmacy. Be aware that it will melt if you leave it in the sun or a hot car! (Don't leave your instrument in a hot car anyway!)
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Straight Mute (optional for intermediate to advanced players)
The Bach 1860 straight mute has a good sound and plays well in tune.
Cup Mute (optional for intermediate to advanced players)
The Humes & Berg Stonelined cup mute is classic and sounds great.
Bach 3C Mouthpiece (optional for intermediate to advanced players)
Some students find that they play better on the Back 3C model mouthpiece as their range expands as they get into 8th grade and high school band. You can try mine first, then decide if you want to buy your own. Don't waste your money on other cheaper brands of "3C" mouthpieces. They are not the same and are cheap for a reason! Get a Bach 3C.
This will make sure your trombone slide works properly!
Spray Bottle
Get one of these from me! You will need to fill it with water and keep it in your case so you can spray your slide with water after you use your slide lubricant.
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Straight Mute (optional for intermediate to advanced players)
The Bach 1862 straight mute has a good sound and plays well in tune.
Bach 7C Mouthpiece (optional for intermediate to advanced players)
Some students find that they play better on the Back 7C model mouthpiece as their range expands as they get into 8th grade and high school band. You can try mine first, then decide if you want to buy your own. Don't waste your money on other cheaper brands of "7C" mouthpieces. They are not the same and are cheap for a reason! Get a Bach 7C.
Vic Firth Orchestral Medium Poly Mallets
These are great general purpose mallets for xylophone and bells. These are made of very durable materials and should last for many, many years. Please do not waste your money on cheap mallets. They sound bad and are cheap for a reason! It really makes a difference!
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Drumsticks - Innovative Percussion CL1 Snare Drumsticks
These drum sticks are designed for concert snare drum and the taper of the stick makes rolls easier and sound better. They are the best drumsticks to make you sound great!
Keep a practice pad at home so you can practice without having to bring your drum back and forth to school.
Music Stand (optional, but recommended!)
Having your own music stand at home will help you practice with better posture, resulting in a more consistent and supported tone. There are many different options for music stands, but this one is affordable and portable!
Our Band "uniform" is a white button up shirt or blouse with black bottoms. This is the traditional concert attire for classical musicians. It also gives our students a sense of pride and respect as we perform the music we worked on for months to prepare. Below are some examples of our ensembles in their concert attire.