Buying Guide & Supplies

Buying Guide:

Probably the most confusing aspect of confusing aspect of getting your child involved in instrumental music is acquiring the instrument itself. This page will clarify many questions you may have and guide you in the right direction to provide your student with the best chance of success.

"Do I have to buy an instrument?"

No! In fact, I advise against buying an instrument at this stage. Beginner instruments start at a couple hundred dollars and go up from there. That's a lot of money to spend on something that your student may not continue to be involved in. I recommend renting or participating in a "rent-to-own" program from a reputable music store.

"What is rent-to-own?"

Rent-to-own is a payment plan that many music stores offer. It works just like it sounds. You are renting the instrument from the store on a month by month basis (so you do not have to pay for the full price of the instrument). Over time you can come to own the instrument because a certain amount of the monthly payment goes to owning the instrument. Similar to earning equity in a car or house. It is important to remember that if you return the instrument over the summer, not only does your student not have an opportunity to practice, but you forfeit all the equity you have earned and start at square one the following fall. Therefore, if you plan on your student having the instrument for several years, I would not return the instrument over the summer.

"What about the $150 instrument I found online? (And it's Pink! Blue! etc.?"

Would you buy an engagement ring from the dollar store? What about a brand new, shiny car for $3,000? Likely not. The quality of those items is probably very sub-par. Quite simply put, these instruments are made with thin metal/wood that bends and cracks with minimal effort. The solder is used as sparingly as possible. The same with glue. I have seen over and over the heart-break a student feels when their instrument is not playable just days after receiving it. And repairing it is often not an option because repair shops refuse to work on an instrument that may not be able to stay fixed for any length of time. If there is one single decision a parent can make to help their student in music, PLEASE don't fall for the attractive price. As for the fun colors, have you ever used cheap nail polish and wondered why it starts chipping later that day?

"What brands should I look for?"

I would recommend the following brands for each instrument, as they have proven to be reliable, play well and hold their value over years of use:

Flute: Armstrong, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Bundy, King, Artley, Yamaha, Allora

Clarinet: Selmer, Bundy, Artley, Vito, Leblanc, Jupiter, Yamaha, Amati

Saxophone: Selmer, Vito, Conn, Bundy, Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Antigua, Etude

Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba: Bach, Conn, Holton, Hunter, King, Jupiter, Yamaha, Giardinelli

Violin, Viola, Cello: Eastman, Lewis & Son, Scherl & Roth, Strobel, Strunal, Franz Helmer, also visit: Shar Music (www.sharmusic.com) and Southwest Strings (www.swstrings.com)

Supplies needed for the School Year

Supplies are needed to successfully participate in the instrumental music program. A list of supplies are listed below for each instrument in order to help plan for a successful year in the instrumental music program.

Mandatory Supplies for Everyone

• PENCIL (Required for Every Instrumental Class)

• Folder

• Folding Music Stand

REQUIRED MATERIALS THAT MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE MUSIC STORE:

Instrument Specific Supplies

• Flute - Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, cleaning rod, handkerchief, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Clarinet and Bass Clarinet - Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, a box of reeds (Size #2.5), cork grease, cleaning swab, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Alto Saxophone- Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, neck strap, a pack of reeds (Size #2), (*should be no less than four reeds available to the student at anytime!), cork grease, cleaning swab, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Trumpet/French Horn/Baritone - Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, valve oil, soft cloth, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Trombone - Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, slide oil, soft cloth, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Percussion - Students must rent a bell kit and practice pad from the music store. Supplies needed: Essential Elements for Band, Book 1, mallets and snare drum sticks, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Violin and Viola - Essential Elements 2000 for Strings, Book 1 (see image above), Rosin, large soft sponge or shoulder rest, soft cloth, pencil, folder, folding stand.

• Cello - Essential Elements 2000 for Strings, Book 1 (see image above), end-pin stop, cello rosin, soft cloth, pencil, folder, folding stand.