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My goal here is to make it easy for you to find recommended supplies and accessories for your instrument. Most of these can also be purchased at local retail stores like DayBreak Music.
FLUTESwab – you want a silk swab with a string, like this one made by Hodge. They come in different colors, so just get whichever one you like. You must swab out your instrument after you play it before packing it into the case, or the moisture will damage the instrument over time.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
CLARINETReeds – the Rico Royal brand (the blue box NOT the orange box) is recommended. Size 2.0/2.5 is good for younger players. Older students should be using a size 3.0. The orange box reeds are terrible, they are cheap for a reason, do not buy them.Cork Grease – you must grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. You should not leave your instrument in a hot car anyway.Swab – you want a silk swab with a string, like this one made by Hodge. They come in different colors, so just get whichever one you like. You must swab out your instrument after you play it before packing it into the case, or the moisture will damage the instrument over time.Reed Guard – Rico and D’Addario are both good brands. These are designed to prevent your reeds from warping while they are in storage. The plastic sleeves your reeds come in do not do this.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush your mouthpiece inside and outside once each week with soap and water. Be very careful not to scratch or chip your mouthpiece while cleaning it.Rovner Dark Ligature – if you need a new ligature, or if you want to upgrade from the basic ligature that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Forbes Debut Mouthpiece – if you need a new mouthpiece, or if you want to upgrade from the basic mouthpiece that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
BASS CLARINETReeds – the Rico Royal brand (the blue box NOT the orange box) is recommended. Size 2.5 is fine for younger students for older students should move to size 3.0. The orange box reeds are terrible, they are cheap for a reason, do not buy them.Cork Grease – you must grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. You should not leave your instrument in a hot car anyway.Swab – you want a silk swab with a string, like this one made by Hodge. They come in different colors, so just get whichever one you like. You must swab out your instrument after you play it before packing it into the case, or the moisture will damage the instrument over time.Reed Guard – Rico and D’Addario are both good brands. These are designed to prevent your reeds from warping while they are in storage. The plastic sleeves your reeds come in do not do this. I know this one says “tenor sax” but bass clarinet reeds are the same size.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush your mouthpiece inside and outside once each week with soap and water. Be very careful not to scratch or chip your mouthpiece while cleaning it.Rovner Dark Ligature – if you need a new ligature, or if you want to upgrade from the basic ligature that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Forbes Debut Mouthpiece – if you need a new mouthpiece, or if you want to upgrade from the basic mouthpiece that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
ALTO SAXOPHONEReeds – the Rico Royal brand (the blue box NOT the orange box) is recommended. Size 2.0/2.5 is fine for beginning and younger students. Older middle school players and high school should move to size 3.0. The orange box reeds are terrible, they are cheap for a reason, do not buy them.Cork Grease – you must grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. You should not leave your instrument in a hot car anyway.Swab – you want a silk swab with a string, like this one made by Hodge. They come in different colors, so just get whichever one you like. You must swab out your instrument after you play it before packing it into the case, or the moisture will damage the instrument over time.Reed Guard – Rico and D’Addario are both good brands. These are designed to prevent your reeds from warping while they are in storage. The plastic sleeves your reeds come in do not do this.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush your mouthpiece inside and outside once each week with soap and water. Be very careful not to scratch or chip your mouthpiece while cleaning it.Rovner Dark Ligature – if you need a new ligature, or if you want to upgrade from the basic ligature that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Forbes Debut Mouthpiece – if you need a new mouthpiece, or if you want to upgrade from the basic mouthpiece that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
TENOR SAXOPHONEReeds – the Rico Royal brand (the blue box NOT the orange box) is recommended. Size 2.5 is fine for younger students move as you get older size 3.0 is good. The orange box reeds are terrible, they are cheap for a reason, do not buy them.Cork Grease – you must grease your corks at least once each week. Be aware it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. You should not leave your instrument in a hot car anyway.Swab – you want a silk swab with a string, like this one made by Hodge. They come in different colors, so just get whichever one you like. You must swab out your instrument after you play it before packing it into the case, or the moisture will damage the instrument over time.Reed Guard – Rico and D’Addario are both good brands. These are designed to prevent your reeds from warping while they are in storage. The plastic sleeves your reeds come in do not do this.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush your mouthpiece inside and outside once each week with soap and water. Be very careful not to scratch or chip your mouthpiece while cleaning it.Rovner Dark Ligature – if you need a new ligature, or if you want to upgrade from the basic ligature that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Forbes Debut Mouthpiece – if you need a new mouthpiece, or if you want to upgrade from the basic mouthpiece that may have come with your clarinet, get this one.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
TRUMPET Valve Oil -I recommend synthetic oil, because petroleum-based valve oil leaves dirty residue in your instrument.Slide Grease – this Venture grease is the easiest to use because it is in a small tube. Just be aware that it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. Personally, I use 100% pure Lanolin, which can be purchased online or at any pharmacy.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush out your mouthpiece once a week with soap and water. You can brush the cup with a regular toothbrush, and use this special brush to clean inside the backbore.Snake Brush – use this to clean out the inside of the pipes. This must be done under water.Bach 3C Mouthpiece – some students may find that they play better on the Bach 3C model mouthpiece, especially as they get into 8th grade and high school band. I have one you can try, then you can buy your own. Do not waste your money on other cheaper brands of “3C” mouthpieces, they are not the same and they are cheap for a reason.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
FRENCH HORNRotor Oil – Hetman Medium Rotor Lubricant #11.5 is recommended. I recommend synthetic oil, because petroleum-based valve oil leaves dirty residue in your instrument.Slide Grease – this Venture grease is the easiest to use because it is in a small tube. Just be aware that it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. Personally, I use 100% pure Lanolin, which can be purchased online or at any pharmacy.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush out your mouthpiece once a week with soap and water. You can brush the cup with a regular toothbrush, and use this special brush to clean inside the backbore.Snake Brush – use this to clean out the inside of the pipes. This must be done under water.Holton Farkas MDC Mouthpiece – this is the most highly-recommended mouthpiece for French Horn.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
TROMBONESlide Lubricant – Yamaha makes lubricant that is very easy to use, and it is highly recommended.Spray Bottle – as you use your slide, you will need to “cut” the Yamaha lubricant with water.Slide Grease – this Venture grease is the easiest to use because it is in a small tube. Just be aware that it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. Personally, I use 100% pure Lanolin, which can be purchased online or at any pharmacy. Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush out your mouthpiece once a week with soap and water. You can brush the cup with a regular toothbrush, and use this special brush to clean inside the backbore.Snake Brush – use this to clean out the inside of the pipes. This must be done under water.Bach 6 1/2 AL Mouthpiece – some students may find that they play better on the Bach 6 1/2 AL model mouthpiece, especially as they get into 8th grade and high school band. I have one you can try, then you can buy your own. Do not waste your money on other cheaper brands of “6 1/2 AL” mouthpieces, they are not the same and they are cheap for a reason.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
BARITONEValve Oil – Hetman Piston Lubricant #2 is my favorite. I recommend synthetic oil, because petroleum-based valve oil leaves dirty residue in your instrument. Slide Grease – this Venture grease is the easiest to use because it is in a small tube. Just be aware that it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. Personally, I use 100% pure Lanolin, which can be purchased online or at any pharmacy.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush out your mouthpiece once a week with soap and water. You can brush the cup with a regular toothbrush, and use this special brush to clean inside the backbore.Snake Brush – use this to clean out the inside of the pipes. This must be done under water. I know this brush is for trombone, but it will work on baritone.Bach 6 1/2 AL Mouthpiece – some students may find that they play better on the Bach 6 1/2 AL model mouthpiece, especially as they get into 8th grade and high school band. I have one you can try, then you can buy your own. Do not waste your money on other cheaper brands of “6 1/2 AL” mouthpieces, they are not the same and they are cheap for a reason. **** If you need a “Large Shank” mouthpiece, not a “Small Shank”, then get this one instead or it will not fit your instrument. ****Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
TUBAValve Oil – Hetman Piston Lubricant #2 is my favorite. I recommend synthetic oil, because petroleum-based valve oil leaves dirty residue in your instrument.Slide Grease – this Venture grease is the easiest to use because it is in a small tube. Just be aware that it will melt if left in the sun or in a hot car. Personally, I use 100% pure Lanolin, which can be purchased online or at any pharmacy.Mouthpiece Brush – you should brush out your mouthpiece once a week with soap and water. You can brush the cup with a regular toothbrush, and use this special brush to clean inside the backbore.Bach size 25 Mouthpiece – this mouthpiece is designed for younger players and is highly recommended. An alternative is the Kelly size 25 tuba mouthpiece, which is made of plastic which is better for cold marching band performances.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
KEYBOARD PERCUSSIONVic Firth Orchestral Medium Poly mallets – good general purpose mallets for xylophone and bells. These are made of very durable materials and should last for many, many years. Please do not waste your money on cheap mallets, they sound bad and are cheap for a reason. Yes, it really makes a difference.Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
SNARE DRUMDrum Sticks – Vic Firth SD 1 General snare drum sticks are designed for concert snare drum, and the taper of the stick makes rolls easier and sound better. Get these. Practice Pad – keep a practice pad at home so you can practice without having to bring your drum back and forth to school. Music Stand – practicing with a music stand will help you practice with better posture.
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