Equipment Needs

Many middle school families wonder if it will be necessary to purchase a new instrument for high school. In most cases the answer is “yes.” However, there are some important factors that we as teachers would like you to know.

First, please consult private teachers and band directors before making a purchase. This point is (unfortunately) often overlooked. Making the wrong purchase can directly impact both your family finances and the musical progress of your child. From time to time a student arrives at SCN with a brand new “birthday present” and we do not have the heart to tell them that the instrument will not dramatically improve their musicianship and/or will not hold its value (those often go together).

Second, you may want to consider a used instrument if it is a professional model and is in excellent condition. Many professional instruments will hold their value very well. In many cases you may be able to purchase a used instrument and sell it later at no loss or even a profit. Please note that this is almost never the case with a beginning/intermediate level instrument. Consulting teachers is even more imperative when searching for a used instrument however.

Finally, while it may be OK to wait to “step up” from a beginning instrument until the student gets to high school, you should plan to make the transition soon after the year begins. An instrument that was designed for the hands, embouchure, and air production of a fifth grader is rarely appropriate for adequate development in high school. Remember, if you make a wise purchase, you might be able to recoup all (or even more than) your original investment.

Please #0066cc;">contact us at your convenience if you have any questions.

Recommendations for freshman band students:

A music stand for home practice (promotes proper posture)
A tuner (Korg CA-30 or Sabine MT9000)
Private lessons strongly recommended (contact us for recommendations)

Flute
Silver polishing cloth
Handkerchief for clean/swab flute

Oboe and Bassoon
Reed holder
Small container (like 35mm film canister) for water to soak reeds
Edmund Nielsen Reeds http://www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/
Swab to clean inside of instrument (must be very thin material like silk)

Clarinet
4-reed case for protecting reeds and keeping them flat
Silk or cotton swab
Mouthpiece: Consult private teacher, or purchase a Hite or Van Doren 5RV
Ligature: Consult private teacher, or purchase Rovner
Reeds: Consult private teacher, or Van Doren 3 1/2 (buy a box at a time)

Saxophone
4-reed case for protecting reeds and keeping them flat
Silk or cotton swab
Mouthpice: Selmer C Star for concert (contact us for jazz)
Ligature: Rovner

French Horn
Upgrade mouthpiece to Schilke 30
Rotor oil
Water rag (old wash cloth)
Mouthpiece brush

Trumpet
Valve Oil
Tuning slide grease
Cleaning “snake”
Mouthpiece brush
Mouthpiece: Bach 5C or 3C (consult private teacher)

Trombone
Spray bottle
Slide cream
Mouthpiece: Bach 6 1/2 AL

Euphonium
Valve oil
Slide grease
Mouthpiece: Bach 6 1/2 AL

Tuba
Valve oil
Slide grease
Mouthpiece: Conn Helleberg

Percussion
Stick bag
2B snare sticks
Vic Firth “General” timpani mallets
Poly xylophone sticks
Pitch pipe for tuning timpani