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Instrument Recommendations
Performing on a quality musical instrument is a key component to the success of any Music Program.  As your student musician becomes more proficient on their instrument, the beginner (student) model becomes less of an aid and more of an obstacle to continued development and growth.  If you are interested in purchasing an upgraded instrument or mouthpiece, please consult with your ensemble director or private teacher for guidance. Our years of experience can assist you in finding the best instrument that fits your musicians long-term needs/goals and saves you money.  Listed below are instrument guidelines to help you better understand the many nuances in instrument construction, along with recommendations for instrument upgrades, accessories, and supplies.
WOODWINDS
Brand
  • Yamaha
  • Gemeinhardt
Accessories...
  • Cleaning Rod
  • Cleaning Cloth
  • Double Case (for flute/piccolo)
Brand
  • ​Fox (Renard)
  • Loree
  • Yamaha​
Accessories...
  • Cork Grease
  • Silk Swab
  • Reed Case
  • Water Container
OBOE / ENGLISH HORN REEDS...
  • Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • Reeds should be hand-made!  Do not purchase from a music store!  (See your ensemble director for info!)​
Brand
  • Buffet
  • Yamaha
Mouthpiece
  • Vandoren (B45)
  • D’Addario (Reserve X0)
  • Genussa (Mezzo)
  • Hite (Premier)
  • Fobes (Debut)​​
Ligature
  • Rovner
  • Bonade
  • Charles Bay​
Accessories...
  • Cork Grease
  • Silk Swab
  • Reed Case
  • Mouthpiece Cap
CLARINET REEDS...
  • Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • Recommended Brands / Strengths
    • Mitchell Lurie (Strength 3, 3.5, 4)
    • ​Vandoren V12 (Strength 3, 3.5, 4)​
SYNTHETIC REEDS...
Brand
  • Buffet
  • Yamaha
  • ​Selmer​​
Mouthpiece
  • Vandoren (B45)​
Ligature
  • Rovner
  • Bonade
  • Charles Bay​
Accessories...
  • Cork Grease
  • Silk Swab
  • Reed Case
  • Mouthpiece Cap
BASS CLARINET REEDS...
  • Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • Recommended Brands / Strengths​
    • ​Vandoren V12 (Strength 3, 3.5, 4)​
SYNTHETIC REEDS...
​​Brand
  • Fox (Renard)
  • Heckle​
Bocal
  • ​
Accessories...
  • Seat Strap
  • Crutch
  • Silk Swab
  • Parrafin (Cork Grease)
BASSOON REEDS...
  • Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • Reeds should be hand-made!  Do not purchase from a music store!  (See your ensemble director for info!)​
Brand
  • Selmer
  • Yamaha
Mouthpiece (Classical)
  • Selmer C* (S80, S90)
Mouthpiece (Jazz)
  • Alto - Meyer (5, 6)
  • Tenor - Meyer (6, 7)
  • Tenor - Vandoren (T75, 796)
  • Tenor - Yamaha (5C)
  • Bari - Yamaha (5C)
Ligature
  • Rovner
  • Charles Bay
Accessories...
  • Cork Grease
  • Swab
  • Reed Saver
  • Mouthpiece Cap
  • Mouthpiece pouch/mouse
SAXOPHONE REEDS...
  • Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • Recommended Brands / Strengths
    • La Voz (Min. Strength 3)
    • Hemke (Min. Strength 3)
    • ​Vandoren (Min. Strength 3)
SYNTHETIC REEDS...
BRASS
Brand
  • Bach (Stradivarius)
  • Yamaha
Mouthpiece
  • Bach (5C, 3C, 1.5C)
  • Stork (5C, 3C, 1.5C)​
  • ​Faxx (5C, 3C, 1.5C)
Mutes
  • Straight Mute (Denis Wick-Copper Bottom)
  • Cup Mute (Denis Wick Adjustable) 
  • Bubble Mute (Jo-Ral)
Accessories...
  • Valve Oil
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
  • Cleaning Snake
  • Mouthpiece/Valve Brush
  • ​Hand Guard (Leather)​
Brand
  • Holton
  • Yamaha
  • Conn
Mouthpiece
  • Holton (Farkas, MD, MDC)
  • Yamaha (304C)
  • Custom​ Parker (website)
  • Faxx (MD, MDC)
Mutes
  • Non-Transposing Mute
Accessories...
  • Rotor Oil (Hetman)
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
  • Cleaning Snake
  • Mouthpiece/Valve Brush
  • Hand Guard (Leather)
Brand
  • ​Bach
  • Conn
  • Yamaha
Mouthpiece
  • Bach (5G)
  • Custom Parker (website)​
  • Faxx (5G)
Mutes
  • Straight Mute (Denis Wick Aluminum)
  • Cup Mute (Denis Wick - Adjustable)
Accessories...
  • Yamaha Slide Oil
  • Rotor Oil (Hetman)
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
    Cleaning Rod
  • 4” x 4” Cotton Rag
  • Cleaning Snake
  • ​Mouthpiece/Valve Brush
  • ​Hand Guard (Leather)
Brand
  • Bach
  • Conn
  • Yamaha
Mouthpiece
  • Bach (1.5G)
  • Custom Parker (website)​
  • Faxx (1.5G)
Mutes
  • Straight Mute (Denis Wick Aluminum)
  • Cup Mute (Denis Wick - Adjustable)
Accessories...
  • Yamaha Slide Oil
  • Rotor Oil (Hetman)
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
    Cleaning Rod
  • 4” x 4” Cotton Rag
  • Cleaning Snake

  • ​Hand Guard (Leather)
Brand
  • Yamaha
  • Willson​
Mouthpiece
  • Schilke (51D)
  • Custom Parker (website)​
  • Faxx (51D)
Accessories...
  • Valve Oil
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
  • Cleaning Snake
  • ​​Mouthpiece/Valve Brush
Brand
  • Getzen
  • Yamaha​
Mouthpiece
  • Conn (Perantucci)
  • Schilke (Helleberg)
  • Custom Parker (website)​
  • Faxx (Helleberg)
Accessories...
  • Valve Oil
  • Heavy Bodied Slide Oil (Hetman)
  • Cleaning Snake
  • ​​Mouthpiece/Valve Brush
  • Non-Slip Lap Pad or Tuba Stand
PERCUSSION
SNARE DRUM
There are many quality manufacturers of snare drums on the market today.  If you are serious about percussion and considering majoring in performance or education, a quality snare drum is a must.  The best guidance in this area is to seek the help of your private teacher or Music Director.
Accessories...
  • Adjustable Snare Stand
  • Sticks
  • Case
TIMPANI
There are many quality manufacturers of timpani on the market today.  If you are serious about percussion and considering majoring in performance or education, you will need to spend time practicing timpani.  It is not practical for a high school student to own their own timpani, however, students are encouraged to develop a schedule with their ensemble director to spend regular time on the school equipment.
Accessories...
  • Assorted Mallets
KEYBOARDS
​There are many quality manufacturers of keyboard instruments on the market today.  If you are serious about percussion and considering majoring in performance or education, quality time on a keyboard instrument is a must.  These instruments are within your financial reach and are often available through third party sources as students upgrade.  The best guidance in this area is to seek the help of your private teacher or Music Director.
Accessories...
  • Assorted Mallets