Instruments and Accessories
New Albany Sixth Grade Band: recommended accessories for all instruments, updated 2021.
Parents, when you are shopping for an instrument or supplies for band, please print this list and take it with you. Please understand that instrument manufacturers don't always include quality accessories. In our experience, students with better mouthpieces, reeds, oils, etc. enjoy better success playing and maintaining their instruments. Most music stores that have a school band instrument department should have or should be able to provide instruments and supplies from this list, and several stores will probably be happy to include accessory items from our lists into the rental fee. If you are not able to find accessories and instruments listed below, you should consider a different music store or call / email a director.
If you are buying used from a source other than Rettig Music or Music and Arts, it is suggested that you have it checked by a reputable dealer or private instrument technician. If you are buying online from a non-music store, BUYER BEWARE. There are many pretty instruments that are not durable and of such poor quality that they are difficult to play. The worst instruments online seem to come with white gloves.
Also, Pre-packaged instrument care kits often lack some of the products that we like best and may even include some things you don’t need.
Flute
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ Bandana or cloth handkerchief (not from a music store)
__ Yamaha, Selmer, Armstrong and Gemeinhardt, and Eastman flutes are traditionally good beginner instruments.
__ Music Stand
Oboe
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ Cleaning swab
__ Cork grease
__ Oboe Reed Case w/2 Reeds. Oboe reeds a carefully handmade by professional oboists. We will pre-order 2 starter reeds for each student to use at the beginning of the year. The cost will be $45.00 ($13.50 each for the reeds and $18.00 for the case). Please send a check payable to “NAMPA” (short for New Albany Music Parent Association) to the first class meeting.
__ Music Stand
Fox and Yamaha are known to be excellent choices for beginners.
Clarinet
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ 4 Vandoren #2.5 reeds (Clarinets will change reed strengths during 6th grade, so buying a whole box at first is not advised.)
__ 1 or 2 reed guards to contain all 4 reeds (the disposable reed guards from the reed box are not very good)
__ Handkerchief or silk swab (not the little brown swabs)
__ Cork Grease
__ Luyben or Rovner ligature
__ Mouthpiece: Pyne Poly Crystal, Vandoren B45, Vandoren 5RV, Fobes with mouthpiece cap
__ Mouthpiece "mouse" or small brush for cleaning moisture after playing (a small cloth will do)
__ A Wooden (vs. plastic) clarinet is recommended. Students who continue to play in marching band should consider buying a used plastic clarinet after middle school for H.S. marching season because plastic clarinets are more durable in weather and in marching activities. A wooden clarinet with quality accessories will be a great long term investment.
Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet and (new) Jupiter clarinets are have been excellent.
__ Music Stand
Alto Saxophone
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ 4 Vandoren size #2 reeds (Students will change reed strengths during 6th grade, so buying a whole box at first is not advised.)
__ 1 or 2 reed guards to contain all 4 reeds (the disposable reed guards from the reed box are not very good)
__ Handkerchief or silk swab (not the little brown swabs)
__ Cork Grease
__ Mouthpiece with cap and ligature: Selmer C* is expensive but amazing. Fobes, Hite, and Yamaha mouthpieces are good budget mouthpieces. Most factory-provided mouthpieces are poor.
__ Mouthpiece "mouse" or small brush for cleaning moisture after playing (a small cloth will do)
__ Music Stand
Trumpet
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ Bach 7C mouthpiece
__ Al Cass valve oil
__ Schilke Tuning Slide Grease
__ mouthpiece brush and cleaning snake
__ Music Stand
__ Bach & Yamaha instruments are traditionally good beginner instruments
F Horn
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ Holton Farkas MC or MDC Schilke 30 or 31 mouthpieces are excellent. Faxx MC is an inexpensive alternative!
__ Rotor oil
__ Schilke Tuning Slide Grease
__ mouthpiece brush and cleaning snake
__ Music Stand
__ Conn & Yamaha instruments are traditionally good beginner instruments. Please contact a director about the possibility of a school instrument being available before you rent.
Trombone
__ Essential Elements Book 1
__ Bach or Benge 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece
__ Slide-O-Mix (pre-mixed, single bottle) and very small spray bottle for water
__ Schilke Tuning Slide Grease
__ mouthpiece brush and cleaning snake
__ Music Stand
__ Bach, Yamaha, or King instruments (If buying used, the first consideration is always "What condition is the slide in?")
Depending upon enrollment, sometimes it is possible for trombone students to use a school instrument during class time and keep their rental instrument at home for practice. This possibility will be discussed after the school year begins.
Baritone / Tuba
__ Essential Elements Book 1 (If playing Baritone, purchase a Baritone BC book, not TC. In our program, only trumpet players who convert to Baritone use the “Treble Clef” book option for Baritone. Students who plan to use Baritone as a starting point for Tuba should consult with a director, as we me suggest starting with a Baritone Bass Clef Book.
__ Bach or Benge 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece for Baritone
__ xxxx mouthpiece for Tuba
__ Al Cass valve oil
__ Schilke Tuning Slide Grease
__ mouthpiece brush and cleaning snake
__ Music Stand
__ King or Conn instruments are traditionally good beginner instruments
Depending upon enrollment, sometimes it is possible for baritone/tuba students to use a school instrument during class time and keep their rental instrument at home for practice. This possibility will be discussed after the school year begins.
Percussion
__ Essential Elements Book 1. This is a “Combination” book that includes pages for both drums AND mallet instruments.
__ Concert Drum Sticks such as Vic Firth SD1
__ Mike Balter 4B or similar Vic Firth mallets. Dark green and red colored are loud enough, black are too loud in a small classroom.
Vic Firth, Pearl, and Yamaha Combination bells/practice pad kits work very well for band class.