Recommended equipment

The transition to high school band is a good time to look at what equipment you have.  Beginning instruments and mouthpieces are great for beginners.  High school students will see a jump in quality of sound by playing on a developmentally appropriate mouthpiece.  Many students also look at upgrading their instruments during their 9th or 10th grade year to an intermediate or professional line.  There is no substitute for practice, but considering the design of your equipment is important.

Mouthpiece Recommendations:  (This is a great place to start!)

Clarinet:                      Vandoren M13 Lyre                                    Ligature. . . . . Rovner

Saxophone:                 Selmer C* (C star)                            Ligature. . . . . Rovner

Trumpet:                      3C

French Horn:               Holton MDC   or   Holton DC

Trombone:                   61/2 AL (specify small shank or large shank)

Baritone:                     61/2 AL (small shank)

Tuba:                           Conn Helleberg

All instruments work best when they are maintained daily.  Make sure you have an up to date supply of oils, grease, reeds, brushes, swabs and/ or polishing cloths.

Other Recommended equipment:

 Metronome/Tuner App: Tonal Energy

Metronome:                 (i.e. Boss, Quik Time, Sabine, Seiko)

Top of the Line - - Boss Dr. Beat  (DB90 is recommended for percussionists)

There are also many good metronome apps for free.

Tuner:                          chromatic tuner (i.e.  Korg CA30, Boss TU12H, Sabine MT9000, Korg DT3)

Top of the Line - - Korg OT12

Also many free apps out there.

Mutes:                         Brass players should seek out mutes that are common to the music literature.

•  i.e.           Trumpet:                  Straight, Cup, Harmon

•                   Trombone:               Straight, Cup

•                    French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba:  Talk to your director.

Stick bag:                    (percussionists only)

A stick bag special will be available in the fall . . . or if you want to get started over the summer you will need

●           Medium hard rubber mallets KRBxB

●           Medium Hard Yarn Mallets KYBxB

●           Staccato Timpani Mallets

●           5B drum sticks

●           Brushes