OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS

These instruments are the instruments that in my experience are the best for beginners to start on. In addition, they are reasonably priced, have a better re- sale value, and in most cases will carry a student through middle and sr. high school. Regardless of whether or not you rent or buy an instrument, I would like each Ola band member to obtain the brand/model listed here. The mouthpieces and ligatures will be included with your instrument rental, just make sure it is the one listed. Most of the other accessories can be purchased in the “Instrument Care Kit” at one low price.

All students need our band book: Essential Elements Book 1 for their instrument Optional, but strongly recommended: Folding Music Stand, Extra Reeds for woodwinds

Instrument Brand Accessories {Alternate Brand}

Flute Yamaha Cleaning Rag/Rod Gmeinhardt, Jupiter, Selmer

*Oboe Fox, Yamaha, Selmer Swab, reed guard, buy reeds from director

*Bassoon Rent Instrument through school Reed Case, 3 Medium Soft Jones Reeds, Student buys accessories Swab

Clarinet Wood (preferably) Swab, 4 Vandoren 2 Reeds, Leblanc, Bundy Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer or Vito Cork Grease, Reed Guard, Thumb rest Teeth guard B45 Mouthpiece

*Bass Clarinet Rent Instrument through school 4 Vand 2 ½ reeds, reed case, teeth guard Student Buys Accessories swab

Alto Sax Yamaha Swab, 4 Vandoren 2 ½ Reeds, Cannonball, Bundy Cork Grease, Reed Guard, Neck Strap Selmer Vand Optimum AL3, Teeth guard

Tenor Sax Yamaha Swab, Four 2 ½ Reeds, Reed guard Cannonball, Selmer, Cork Grease, Swab, Neck Strap or Bundy Teeth guard, Yamaha Mouthpiece

Trumpet Yamaha or Bach Hetman Oil, Slide Grease Jupiter, Conn, King, Snake, Bach 5C Mouthpiece Holton

*French Horn Rent Instrument through school Valve Oil, Slide Grease Yamaha, Conn, Student Buys Accessories Nickel polishing cloth, or Holton Holton Farkas MDC Mouthpiece

Trombone Yamaha or Blessing Slick kit Bach, Conn, Snake, 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece Holton, King

*Baritone/Euphonium Yamaha Hetman Oil, Slide Grease, Snake, Jupiter 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece

*Tuba Rent Instrument through school Hetman Oil, Slide Grease, Conn Helleberg 7B mouthpiece Student Buys Accessories or Bach 24AW mouthpiece

Percussion Yamaha, Pearl, Ludwig Bell kit and Evan Real Feel pad w/ stand Stick bag, SD1sticks, SD 2 Bolero sticks Innovative perc. F10 bell mallets, yarn mallets

* Limited Availability from OLA with paid instrument rental through Ola Bands. IMPORTANT: Finally, the music stores here stock all the Ola instruments and accessories for a one stop shopping experience. They have all the instruments we recommend, excellent service, and low prices. I would caution you about purchasing instruments imported for the big discount stores that are sold at some large discount stores. There is NOBODY in Georgia who will repair these instruments and parts for them are not only NOT compatible with other brands, they are not available. When anything goes wrong, they generally must be replaced with a new instrument. They may be cheaper up front, but we have had several problems with them and students who play on an instrument that doesn’t work, don’t succeed. These instruments fall apart easily, have bad tone, and tend to play out of tune. Also, if you are using an instrument that you got from a friend or family member, PLEASE have it checked out by myself and repaired before the first day of band. An instrument that is used, or has sat around for a while always needs work. Finally, purchasing instruments online is very risky and I have had more problems with them than success. Thank You!