Instruments

Instrument Maintenance

Instruments, like cars, need regular maintenance. Keys and valves should be oiled regularly, along with playing and tuning slides. Proper care of your reeds also needs special attention. Go to our website (www.midviewband.com) to see what is available for your instrument to make sure it is working correctly all of the time.

All instruments must receive regular maintenance. The basics are provided below. For more detailed information, please see the Band Director.

Woodwinds

General

Swab the bore after each playing session.
Wipe the keys and body clean with a soft cotton cloth after playing.

Flute

Periodically check the position of the tuning cork.

Clarinet and Saxes

Rinse the mouthpiece with warm water and avoid mouthpiece brushes. A soft toothbrush will do the trick.
Instead of using your mouth, soak your reeds in a small cup of water.
Always have 3 working reeds. Date and letter them on the back. Rotate them so that you have at least three broken in at a time.
Buy a REED CASE and use it. It will pay for itself within a few weeks. Miss Crayton will glady show you her favorite kind of reed case.

Double Reeds

Soak reeds before playing on them to avoid cracks.
Learn to make your own reeds or at least to adjust the ones you buy commercially.
If you don't make your own reeds, Miss Crayton has a list of local sellers of quality, handmade reeds. Mass purchased reeds are actually missing parts.

Percussion

Avoid damage to heads by using the proper sticks or beaters for each instrument.
Become familiar with proper techniques of changing heads, tuning, and routine maintenance. Keep instrument clean and dry.

Brass Instruments

General

Run lukewarm water through the instrument at least once a week and give it a bath at least once a month. Never use hot water.
Wear cotton gloves while playing and wipe off all fingerprints after each use - especially when using silver plated instruments.
Never use brass or other metal polish on brass lacquer finish (shiny gold) instruments. Use a clean cotton cloth and water to wipe instruments clean. On silverplated instruments, use a non-abrasive silver polish such as International, Twinkle, or Wright's.
Use tuning slide grease on all tuning slides. Periodically check corks on water keys to make sure that they are sealing properly.
Occasionally vacuum your case to keep sand and dirt from scratching the instrument finish.

Valve Instruments (piston/ rotary)

Use fresh valve oil before every use.
Be sure fingers remain curved while playing so that the valve action is straight up and down. This will avoid uneven wear on the pistons. Check felts to make sure that they are not worn or compacted. Replace as needed.

Trombones

Use Yamaha's "Trombone Snot".
If trombone has a rotary trigger, use rotary valve oil.

School Instrument Usage and Music

Instrument Information

The band department will provide instruments for those students who do not have their own instrument. An Instrument Rental and Care agreement should be filled out and signed by the student and his parents at the beginning of the school year. Each band member is responsible for the proper care, condition and repairs of this instrument for the length of the agreement. Any damages or serious malfunctions should be reported to the director at once. Damages due to the negligence of the student will be charged to the student. If the instrument is lost or stolen while away from the band hall, the student must reimburse the band for the cost of the instrument.

A privately owned instrument is the responsibility of the student who owns it. Students should check with their parents to see that the instrument is included on their homeowner insurance policy. Before purchasing an instrument, students should consult the band director.

All instruments should be kept in excellent playing condition and should be cleaned and polished before every performance.

Instrument Rentals and Insurance Policy

Students are asked to provide their own instruments if they are able - except for the larger or more exotic instruments such as percussion, tuba, baritones, bassoons, oboes, bass clarinets, etc. Loss or damage of school property will be at the student’s expense.

Parents, please make sure your homeowners insurance covers your student’s musical instrument. Unfortunately with the large number of students involved in this type of activity, accidents can happen. Carrying insurance on your student’s instrument may help if any accidents occur.

Use and Care of Music

Should students be given originals, they are expected to take care of them appropriately. No markings are to made unless directed.
Do not fold, tear or otherwise mutilate music.
Students will be provided copies of music to be put stored in their binders.
Absence from school does not relieve students of the responsibility to have shared music brought to the rehearsal or performance. This applies mainly to the music in concert folders.
If students lose or damage any original music they may be charged the appropriate fee for its replacement.

Instruments

Much like clothing, the older you get the different and appropriate size clothing you need. The same holds true with instruments and mouthpieces. When enrolling in the High School Band program, students are required to own the mouthpieces listed below. Having an appropriate mouthpiece will give students room to grow. Beginner mouthpieces can be restricting and make it harder to perform your instrument. An intermediate to professional level instrument is highly recommended for students who wish to further their musical career past high school. Below is a list of these recommendations.

Instrument and Mouthpiece Upgrades

Mouthpieces

Clarinet Vandoren 5RV Lyre, Vandoren B45 Mouthpiece or D'Addario Reserve Model X5; Rovner Dark Ligatures

Saxophone Selmer C* mouthpiece; Rovner Dark Ligatures

Trumpet Bach 3C

Horn Schilke 30

Trombone Bach 6.5 AL; Schilke 51D, Denis Wick 6BS (small shank)

Euphonium Schilke 51D

Tuba Helleberg 120 Standard; Arnold Jacobs Heritage

Instruments (Intermediate and Professional Models)

Piccolo Yamaha YPC62

Flute Yamaha 684H

Clarinet Buffet R-13

Oboe Loree or Fox 400

Bassoon Fox Renard 222

Saxophone Old Selmer Mark VI or Yamaha Custom

Trumpet Bach Stradivarius

Horn Holton 179

Trombone Bach 42B, or Bach 42BO; Conn 88H

Euphonium King 2280

Tuba King 4321W

Report abuse