Recommended Instrument Brands

Recommended Instrument Brands and Accessory Information

**Please look through the following information to assist you as you begin looking for an instrument to rent or purchase for your child.

As a parent investing in your child’s music education, it is very important to invest in a quality musical instrument. “Bargain” instruments, available online or at discount stores, may seem tempting; however, experience has proven over and over again that these instruments are truly no “bargain” at all. Most often, the low price is the result of poor workmanship and lower quality materials. These instruments usually break more easily and are difficult, sometimes impossible, to repair. Most music stores will not even attempt to repair these instruments. In many cases, they cannot be played in tune and the quality of the sound they produce is very poor. It is disheartening to see a child’s enthusiasm for music destroyed by an instrument that does not allow them to reach their full potential.

We suggest that most students rent an instrument at first, in order to make sure that the instrument we have chosen will be appropriate for the student. Occasionally, we have to change a child's instrument in the early months of band, and it is much easier to do this when the child is renting and we can just switch instruments with the music store. Our foremost goal is to ensure the student has chosen an instrument that is a good fit for them and that they enjoy playing.

If you decide to purchase an instrument, please try to stay within the recommended brands listed below. We have found over the years that these instruments are durable, easy to repair, and will give your child the best opportunity to succeed as a young musician. I have placed an * by my most preferred brands. **One item to consider-a used instrument that “looks nice”, might need a considerable amount of work done on it.

If the instrument you are considering is not listed here, ask the seller for the instrument specifications and consult with me or an instrument repair person before you rent or buy.

Flute

*Gemeinhardt (e.g. 52SP, 2SP)

Armstrong (e.g. 104)

*Yamaha (e.g. YFL221)

Accent

Artley

Selmer

Accessories: swab, cleaning rod, polishing cloth (opt.)

Clarinet

Leblanc (e.g. 7214, 7212PC)

Buffet (e.g. B12, E-11)

Selmer (e.g. CL301, CL201)

Vito

*Yamaha

Accent

Backun

Accessories: swab, cork grease, Rico Royal “2 ” or Vandoren “2” clarinet reeds (Box of 10)

Oboe

*Yamaha (e.g. YOB241)

*Selmer (e.g. 1492B)

Accessories: swabs, cork grease, medium soft reed(s)

Saxophone

Selmer (e.g. AS300)

*Yamaha (e.g. YAS23A, YAS23)

Vito

*Cannonball

Eastman

Accessories: swab, cork grease, Rico Royal “2 1/2” or Vandoren “2” alto sax reeds (Box of 10)

Trumpet

Holton

Selmer/Bach (e.g. TR300H)

*Yamaha (e.g. 2335A)

Accent

Conn

Schilke

Accessories: Bach 7C mouthpiece, slide grease, valve oil, mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cleaning snake (opt.)

French horn

*Yamaha (e.g. YFR314, YHR314 II)

*Holton (e.g. H602)

Bach (e.g. 1101)

Conn (e.g. 14D)

Accessories: Bach 7S, Schilke 30, or standard 11 mouth-piece, slide grease, rotary valve oil, polishing cloth (opt.)

Trombone

*Bach (e.g. TB300)

Conn (e.g. 22H)

*Yamaha (e.g. YSL354)

Accent

Accessories: Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece, slide grease, slide cream, mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth (opt.)

Baritone Horn

*Yamaha YEP201

Bach B1104

Accent

Accessories: Bach 6 ½ AL mouthpiece, slide grease, slide cream, mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth (opt.)

Tuba

*Yamaha

Eastman

Accessories: slide grease, valve oil, mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth (opt.)

Percussion

Percussion Kit-set of bells and a snare drum

Accessories: 1 pair of drum sticks, 2 pairs of mallets, stick bag

*drum sticks and one pair of mallets come with the percussion kit.