Instrument/Band Equipment Information

Step-Up Musical Instruments

Your student's starter instrument is designed with the new musician in mind, as it is crafted to be durable in the hands of a beginner. Even if your child only wants to play in the school band, they will likely outgrow that instrument. As your student progresses on their musical journey, they will struggle to master more difficult techniques, and could become dissatisfied. A day will come when they will benefit from an instrument that supports their growing ability. The difference between a beginner instrument and a step up instrument are not usually obvious visually. Here's what you will notice with a step up instrument.

Craftsmanship and quality materials used in construction.
Improved instrument response and richness of sound leads to improved musicianship and musical enjoyment for your student.

The skilled craftsmanship and higher quality material of a 'Step Up' instrument, combined with the skill level of your musician, gives your student the best chance at success.

Woodwind Accessories

Reeds have a significant impact on how woodwind instruments sound. Picking the right reed can drastically improve sound, will respond more consistently and last longer that other reeds. Your local music store sells these brands and usually has them in stock!

Recommended: Blue Box Vandoren

Legere - Synthetic reeds - Marching and Pep Band Only!

Strength of Reed (general guidelines):

6th to 8th Grade - 2 1/2

9th to 10th Grade - 3

11th to 12th Grade - 3 1/2

Similarly, the ligature (the part that holds the reed on the mouthpiece can significantly affect sound.

Recommended Rovner Good

BG Best

Flute

Among the differences between beginner and step-up flutes, the biggest is the metal they're made of. Beginner flutes are usually made of nickel silver, a hard and inexpensive metal; it has a bright (some might say harsh) tone, but beginners are more focused on finding the correct note than on the quality of the tone they produc

Step-up flutes (intermediate, performer, and top-line) are made of increasing amounts of solid silver. Solid silver vibrates more freely, creating a fuller, more pleasing tone with more harmonics.

Yamaha 381

Yamaha 481

Emerson 8(better) or 88 (best)

Gemeinhardt 3S or 3SB

Eastman models

Amadeus models

Clarinet

Beginner clarinets are almost always made of high-grade plastic. Plastic is appropriate for beginners because it’s durable and quality of the tone is not as important at this stage as learning to play the correct note. In addition, beginner clarinets are small bore, requiring less effort to play but producing a thinner tone.

Intermediate, performer, and top-line clarinets provide a darker, fuller sound because they are made of wood; their larger bore creates a bigger sound. The difference in tone between a plastic clarinet and a wood clarinet is considerable and generally quite noticeable.

Recommended models:

Buffet models E-11 (better) or R-13 (best)

Backun

Yamaha YCL-52, YCL-550(better) or YCL-64 (best)

LeBlanc Sonata model (better) or Concerto (best)

Recommended Mouthpieces:

Vandoren M13 Lyre

Selmer B45

Vandoren 5RV Lyre

Hite Premiere

See note about about reeds and ligatures.

Saxophone

The differences between student, intermediate and professional saxophones include key mechanisms that make the instrument easier to play and extend its range (high F# and G for alto saxes, low A for baritones), better materials, such as annealed brass and ribbed construction that gives the mechanisms more stability and allows the instrument to retain fine adjustments better. Blued steel springs also make the keys respond more quickly without requiring the saxophonist to apply more pressure. An adjustable thumb rest allows the player to find the most comfortable position to hold the sax and more attention to key adjustment and tone hole covering in final assembly help give it a quick and true response.

Recommended Models:

Yamaha YAS-52 (good), YAS-62 (better), or YAS-875 EX (best)

Yanagisawa 901 or 991 series

Selmer Paris Series II or III

Recommended Mouthpieces:

Vandoren Optimum (AL3)

Selmer C*

Neck Strap

Don't underestimate the importance of a good neck strap to keep your instrument steady while performing.

Neotech Tux Strap

*See above regarding reeds and ligatures.

Brass Mouthpieces

Similar to woodwinds, mouthpieces can have a significant impact on tone and response. Below are some general guidelines regarding mouthpiece shape.

Mouthpiece Rim

Wide: Increases endurance.
Narrow: Improves flexibility.
Round: Improves comfort.
Sharp: Increases precision of attack.

Mouthpiece Cup

Large: Increases volume, control.
Small: Relieves fatigue, weakness.
Deep: Darkens tone, especially in low register.
Shallow: Brightens tone, improves response, especially in high register.

Accessory to help with Braces (comfort):

Jet-Tone Lip Protector

Mouthpiece Throat

Large: Increases blowing freedom, volume, tone; sharpens high register (largest sizes also sharpen low register).
Small: Increases resistance, endurance, brilliance; flattens high register.

Trumpet

Beginner trumpets have small bores (inside size of the tubing), making them easier to play but sacrificing some potential tone. They're typically finished with clear lacquer, allowing the the brass to show through, and include the most basic features. They are designed for early use.

Intermediate trumpets are typically slightly larger in bore, allowing bigger, fuller sound production. They are usually finished in silver for a slightly darker tone and more attractive appearance. Valves and slides are typically fitted to closer tolerances, minimizing leakage of air that causes a player to work harder. Mouthpieces tend to be slightly larger and more open, and features like slide rings and triggers allow intonation adjustments.

Recommended Models:

Bach TR200 (better) Stradivarius 180 (best)

Conn Vintage 1

Yamaha 4335 (better), 6335, 8335 or 8345 Xeno (either one best)

Getzen 700S Eterna II (better) Getzen Eterna 900 (best)

Recommended Trumpet Mouthpieces:

Beginner Bach 7C

Intermediate Bach 5C

High School or above Bach 3C

Recommended French Horn Models:

Quality step-up French Horns will be double horns, sometimes silver plated.

Holton Farkus Model (best)

Yamaha 567 (better), 667 or 668 (both best)

Conn 8D (best)

Recommended French Horn Mouthpieces:

Holton Farkus

Medium Deep Cup

Trombone

Quality step-up trombones should have an "F" attachment and will have a wider bore (the inner width of the slide). Beginner instruments have a narrow bore to facilitate ease of play, however, this can create a thin sound that can get in the way of a more advanced performer. An "F" attachment directs air through additional tubing allowing for performers alternative ways of reaching difficult slide positions.

Recommended Models:

Bach TB200 Series F Attachment Trombone (good)

Yamaha YSL-448G Intermediate Trombone (better)

Yamaha YSL-882O Xeno Series F Attachment

Bach Stradivarius 42 F Attachment

Conn 88H F Attachment

Recommended Mouthpieces:

6 1/2 AL 5 G

Percussion

At the Jr. High and High School level, percussion students will become fluent on several percussion instruments. Many of these instruments require different striking mechanisms (beaters) and are sold in packs from many music store that also come with a carrying case.

Recommended Sticks:

Concert Snare Sticks - a pair of Vic Firth SD1's(General) and a pair of Vic Firth SD2's (Bolero)

Marimba Mallets (Medium hard yarn)

Xylophone Mallets (semi-hard)

Timpani Mallets (Medium Hardness)

Recommended Percussion Packs:

Intermediate

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