Equipment

Suggested Equipment

While the band will provide as much as it can for it's students, purchasing your own instruments/equipment is the best way for a musician to be successful.

Below you will find recommendations for instruments, mouthpieces, and accessories that will help students reach their fullest potential.

Mouthpieces

A quality mouthpiece is by far the most important thing a wind player can upgrade. An upgraded mouthpiece will make a much greater difference than any other factor, even a new instrument!

The stock mouthpieces that come with instruments, while acceptable, can hinder a student's growth over time.

A poor mouthpiece is like a broken microphone. Even an incredible singer will sound bad with one!

Below you will find recommendations for mouthpieces. Students are able to (and encouraged to) test mouthpieces free of charge through our music vendor Quinlan and Fabish before purchasing.

Brass Mouthpieces

Trumpet: Bach Standard Series 3C

French Horn: Holton Farkas Series - Medium Deep Cup

Trombone: Bach 5G (small shank for student trombone, large shank for f-attachment)

Euphonium: Bach 5G (small shank)

Tuba: Conn Helleberg Standard

Woodwind Mouthpieces

Clarinet: Vandoren BD5 13 Series Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece (make sure it is 13 series)

Bass Clarinet: Vandoren B44 Bass Clarinet Mouthpiece

Alto Saxophone: Vandoren AL3 (Concert)/Meyer 6M Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece (Jazz)

Tenor Saxophone: Vandoren TL3 (Concert)/Meyer 6M Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece (Jazz)

Baritone Saxophone: Vandoren BL3 (Concert)/Meyer MR-405-8MM Bari Sax Mouthpiece (Jazz)

Reeds/Ligatures

Reeds produce all of the sound on a woodwind instrument, so quality reeds are essential.

If properly cared for a box of single reeds can last a student a semester (depending how much they are played on). Double reeds are sold individually, and need more frequent replacement. Double reed students can also explore making their own reeds if they are willing to invest in the tools/training.

Synthetic reeds are typically inferior in quality to wooden, and should be avoided.

A quality ligature, while not as important as a mouthpiece or reed, can also transform a student's sound.

Reeds

Oboe: Edmund Nielsen Reeds www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/en/oboe-reeds (Medium or Medium Hard)*

Bassoon: Edmund Nielsen Reeds www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/en/bassoon-reeds (Medium or Medium Hard)*

Clarinet: Vandoren Traditional Bb Clarinet Reeds (3 or 3.5)**

Bass Clarinet: Vandoren Traditional Bb Bass Clarinet Reeds (3 or 3.5)**

Alto Saxophone: Vandoren Traditional Eb Alto Saxophone Reeds (3 or 3.5)**

Tenor Saxophone: Vandoren Traditional Bb Tenor Saxophone Reeds (3 or 3.5)**

Baritone Saxophone: Vandoren Traditional Eb Baritone Saxophone Reeds (3 or 3.5)**

*Harder double reeds will last longer, but be more difficult to play on.

**Optimal reed thickness (3 or 3.5) changes from player to player, anything thinner than a 3 or thicker than a 3.5 is typically not optimal.

Ligatures

For all instruments: Rovner Dark Ligature

Instruments

While the instruments used in grade/middle school are quality, they are student model instruments and a developing musician will eventually outgrow them.

The instruments listed below are high quality intermediate level instruments that will serve a musician all the way through high school, and even college if they wish.

The school owns some of these instruments, and we are always working to expand our inventory, but we do not have enough to provide every student with one. We encourage every student to purchase their own instrument if they are able.

Large and/or expensive instruments like oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, baritone saxophones, french horns, and tubas will be provided by the school, but it is always best if the student owns their own instrument.

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that instruments are purchased through the school's music vendor, Quinlan and Fabish. Instruments can be purchased through Q & F using a rent to own program.

Q & F also offers repair services, and loaner instruments for temporary use. Our Q & F representative visits the high school every week, so repairs/other purchases can be taken care of in a timely manner.

Woodwinds

Flute: Yamaha YFL-462 Intermediate Flute

Oboe: Yamaha YOB-441 ABS Resin Intermediate Oboe*

Clarinet: Yamaha YCL-450N Intermediate Clarinet

Alto Saxophone: Yamaha YAS-480 Intermediate Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone: Yamaha YTS-480 Intermediate Tenor Saxophone**

*Exorbitantly expensive instruments can be provided by the school.

**YTS-62III is a professional model instrument for only $500 more and is also worth considering.

Brass

Trumpet: Yamaha YTR-4335GII Intermediate Trumpet

French Horn: Holton H179 Farkas Series Fixed Bell Double Horn*

Trombone: Yamaha YSL-448G Intermediate Trombone

Euphonium: Yamaha YEP-321 Four Valve Euphonium

*Exorbitantly expensive instruments can be provided by the school.

Percussion

The school will provide mallets, but percussionists should purchase their own sticks. Dedicated percussionists can also purchase their own mallets, but this is not necessary.

A pair of sticks should last a whole school year if used properly.* Students should use different sticks for marching, concert snare & drum set.

*Marching snare sticks may be worn out and need replacement by the end of a season.

Sticks

Marching Snare:

Concert Snare:

Drumset: Vader Super Jazz (Hickory)

Mallets

Marimba:

Vibraphone:

Xylophone:

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