4th grade students took two sets of test to help determine which instrument they will be best suited for. Parents should use these test to make an educated decision.

1. BAND BLAST-OFF's MUSIC CHALLENGE = This test was used in their music class to determine the basic skills for band. there are 5 sections to this test What do they mean?

   1. Rhythm, if a student scores low here they should avoid the percussion section.

   2. Pitch, if a student scores low here they should avoid the brass section and look more toward the woodwind instruments.

   3. Melody, is an extension of the first two sections.

   4. Is used to asses the students ability to follow the DVD.

   5. This section the students chooses their top three choices of instruments based on what they learned about each in the video. We try to look strongly at their first choice, but need the next test to make the final decisions.

2. The second test was administered by a group of professional musicians that specialize in the specific instruments. The test determines how they students was able to make an initial sound on the mouthpiece and instrument. A 5 is the highest score and 1 is the lowest.

   1. Look at which instrument the student scored the highest (5) on, compare that to their first choice and what sections they scored the highest on in the last test.

   2. Avoid choosing instruments that they received a 1 or 2 on.

   3. A 3 is OK but may require extra help or possibly lessons along the way.

   4. Scores of 4 or 5 are instruments you should look at.

   5. Students that have a perfect score on test one and score high (especially 5's) on all instruments can choose.

Once you have determined the instrument they want please contact Mr. Summers to inform him of your decision. Please not that some instruments are limited such as Tuba, French Horn, Baritone, Saxophone, and Percussion. The band is always in need of trombone players so please consider that instrument.

Students joining band late or in 6th grade must speak with Mr. Summers before choosing an instrument. Students joining in 6th grade will need to start with at least two months of private lessons (from a qualified teacher) to catch up.

Contact;

Email: michael.summers@liberty.k12.oh.us

Phone: 330-759-0964

Few things are as important to the band program as good quality instruments. Recently, we have seen an influx of low quality, imported band instruments moving into the market. The Internet is also full of very undesirable, inferior instruments that may not be useable in any band program. Many of these instruments are of poor quality, have little to no quality control, and are not serviceable. These instruments can quickly lead to loss of interest.

     Many of the inferior instruments look just fine on the outside. The inside is another matter! They are often advertised as “director approved” or other positive sounding terms to mislead the buyer.

"Real" band instruments are made from quality materials. The only instrument made out of plastic is a clarinet, and it will be made from black resins only. All other instruments are made from brass.

For the sake of your child and the school band program, the low quality instruments should be avoided.

Please see your band director or a qualified band instrument dealer for help before purchasing!

     A good quality instrument does come with a higher price tag, but can last a lifetime. These instruments are more durable, and will hold up to the demands of the student through concert and marching band. I hope you appreciate the benefit of a high quality instrument. It will be a huge advantage to your child. A good quality instrument is made by craftsman and almost always has some hand crafted time invested which makes that cost higher, but also the quality.

     If budget restraints make it difficult for you, we highly recommend a name-brand used instrument, as opposed to a new one of poor quality.

APPROVED INSTRUMENT LIST

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR 

When shopping on the Internet and eBay, we find that over 90% of the instruments for sale are low quality, without a know brand name, and a horrible choice.  Even brand name instruments are somewhat risky if you aren’t experienced at knowing what to look for.  Do not buy any without a return policy!

            For starters, always avoid instruments that do not list a brand name (I have a list of some of the more dependable name brands at the end of this article).  Also, beware of all of the instruments that come in a variety of colors.  I haven’t yet seen one that I didn’t want to flatten. Some of these folks making the bad instruments actually do put names on them.  For legal reasons, I can’t list names or countries of origin to avoid.  However, I can say that “Made in USA” is nearly always a safe bet, and among my personal favorites!

Other enticing titles to avoid are: “Band Certified” “Educator Approved”  “80% Off”  “90% Off”  “Professional Silver Trumpet” (but no recognizable brand listed) “Concert Quality”  “Bankruptcy Sale”  “New model”  “College Pro” “Professional Grade” “New with Case”.

If a band instrument claiming to be new has a buy-it-now price of $150.00…... I don’t need to say more!. 

If you get one of these thinking “I will see how it goes for a while before purchasing a better one if my child sticks with it”…… I can about guarantee they won’t play it long enough to need a better one.  If they do, they are to be commended and taken to dinner. Rent to own is a better way to go as many rental agreements have a trade in portion if the student decides to switch.

REMEMBER, a brand name instrument made 30 years ago (even 50 years ago) is almost always a better choice than a new of poor quality.  

THE GOOD STUFF 

Now, for some of the common brand names in band instruments that I look for and feel good about recommending: Armstrong, Artley, Bach, Benge, Besson, Blessing, Buffett, Bundy (manufactured prior to 1998),  Conn, Emerson, Getzen, Gemeinhardt, King, Holton, Innovative Percussion, Jupiter, LeBlanc, Ludwig, Mapex, Omega, Peal, Vic Firth, Vito, Selmer, and Yamaha. There are sure to be some more that I’ve missed, but these are usually safe choices. 

LOCALLY:

*Daybreak Music = 259 W Main St, Cortland, OH 44410 Phone: (330) 637-1891

*Deans Instrument Repair = Edinburg, PA (724) 652-3264

*Hubbard Music = 51 N Main St, Hubbard, OH 44425  Phone:(330) 534-3900

*Liberty Lesson Center = 4531 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505  Phone:(330) 759-6813

Mark's Music = 50 North Buhl Farm Dr., Hermitage, Pa 16148 phone: (724)347-7629

*Music and Arts = 4242 Boardman Canfield Rd, Canfield, OH 44406  Phone: (330) 533-3600

MUSIC 101 = 4389 St. Rt. 305, Fowler-Cortland, OHIO 44410 Phone: (330) 638-1101

Music Showcase = 1505 Wilmington Rd, New Castle, PA 16105  Phone: (724) 658-2141

Pellegrino Music = Canton Ohio (877)-498-8400

Salzman Band Instrument Repair = 1 North Main Street Suite 5, Poland, OH 44514  Phone: 330-707-0992

Spider Web Music  = 8559 South St. SE, Warren, OH 44484 Phone: (330)-856-5509

ON LINE:

(Be sure to pay attention to brand names, shipping cost, and return policies. Also repairs are not included when purchasing online. Many local stores have repairs built into rental contacts)

Woodwind Brass Wind = http:/www.wwbw.com

Musicians Friend = http://www.musiciansfriend.com