Updated June 2020 Compiled by Rachel and Jason Mann
Getting a Band or Orchestral String Instrument
One of the most important things to consider when getting a band or string instrument for a beginner student is to get one that works well, works easily, and is durable. This may seem like a no brainer, but many parents purchase “bargain” instruments for students to try and save some money. Even though this seems to make financial sense, it hurts in the long run. These cheaper instruments are difficult for even experienced players and directors to play, and break quite easily. Parents end up having to spend quite a bit of money to make repairs or purchase replacement instruments throughout the year. In the meantime, the student is getting frustrated, which is not good for anyone involved. You can often find good deals on used instruments, both online and in stores. However, if you plan to purchase a used instrument, PLEASE let one of the band directors look at first to make sure it is in good playing condition and is the correct brand.
It is usually a good idea for a beginner to play on a rental instrument, though. This way, you have a year of renting the instrument (often with a repair and maintenance program built in to the rental payment) and this helps the student have more time to decide if they like playing the instrument or not! If so, you can always upgrade or purchase an instrument at the end of 6th grade or beginning of 7th grade instrument.The best approach is to use a trial rental program such as offered at several area music stores. A full service music dealer is best. ***String instruments come in multiple sizes. Use this guide to help select the right sized instrument! https://www.ellismusic.com/t-stringinstrumentsizing.aspx
While you can go anywhere for your rental, I highly recommend All About Music, located in Spring Hill. They are a local music shop that has the necessary brand name instruments, the books needed for class, and other supplies and accessories. They also offer private lessons for the different instruments. All About Music 4045 Mariner Blvd Spring Hill, FL 34609 352-683-3555 Updated June 2020 Compiled by Rachel and Jason Mann
If you choose to buy online, here are several sources to take a look at. These sites have new and used instruments for sale:
● Knapp Music Company: https://www.knappmusic.com/ ● Woodwind and Brasswind: https://www.wwbw.com/ ● Baltimore Brass Company:https://www.baltimorebrass.net/ ● The Violin Shop: https://www.violinshoptampa.com/ ● Shar Music: https://www.sharmusic.com/ ● eBay ● Craigslist ● Facebook Marketplace ● Music Go Round: https://www.musicgoround.com/
The most important thing to remember…….DON’T GO CHEAP!
There are many, many instruments for sale out there that are truly terrible quality. These are mass produced instruments and are sold for very little. However, you get what you pay for. Instruments sold at Walmart, Kmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Target, and Amazon are not worth your money and are inferior instruments. We often call these “ISOs”, or Instrument Shaped Objects. They are simply not good instruments. They will not produce a good sound, they are difficult to play, and cannot be repaired.
Instruments and Brands That Are NOT Allowed Do not buy any instrument that comes with a pair of gloves. This likely means that it comes from China and is what’s known as a stencil brand. Do not buy any plastic instrument, including Cool Wind and pBone. Do not buy any instrument in bright, metallic, or “fun” colors. Flutes should be silver, oboes and clarinets should be black, saxophones should be gold, and all brass instruments should be gold or silver. If you have a question about a particular instrument, PLEASE EMAIL MRS. MANN AT [email protected]. Updated June 2020 Compiled by Rachel and Jason Mann
RECOMMENDED BRANDS Beginner/Student Models
Flute (close holed): Alto Saxophone: French horn (single or Yamaha Yamaha double): Conn-Selmer Selmer Yamaha Armstrong Bundy Holton Emerson Mouthpiece: Conn Jupiter Yamaha 4C Mouthpiece: Holton Gemeinhardt Reeds: Farkas Deep Cup Rico, size 3.0 Oboe (composite): Vandoren, size 2.5-3.0 Trombone: Yamaha Juno, size 3.0 Yamaha Selmer Olds Buffet Crampon Tenor Saxophone: Holton Artley Selmer Blessing Jupiter Yamaha Conn Reed: Medium-soft, Jupiter Getzen medium Mouthpiece: King Yamaha 4C (for tenor sax) Clarinet in Bb Reeds: Euphonium: (composite): Rico, size 3.0 Yamaha Selmer Vandoren, size 2.5-3.0 Holton Buffet Crampon Juno, size 3.0 Blessing Yamaha Vito Tuba Mouthpiece: Conn Noblet Trumpet: Helleberg 7B Backun Yamaha Mouthpiece: Buescher Percussion (Snare/Bell Vandoren B45 Conn Combo Kit): Yamaha 4C Getzen Ludwig Reeds: King Vic Firth Rico, size 3.0 Bach Yamaha Vandoren, size 2.5-3.0 Holton June, size 3.0 Mouthpiece: 5C
Updated June 2020 Compiled by Rachel and Jason Mann
Beginner Instrument v. Intermediate/“Step-up” Instrument
Most 6th graders play on beginner instruments, which are built to be more hardy and sturdy, due to the nature and maturity of students that young. They are built like “tanks” in order to withstand whatever a beginning year of band or orchestra can throw at them! However, that sturdiness tends to sacrifice good tone quality and tone production from an instrument. Intermediate and professional instruments - known as “step-up” instruments - are more delicate but provide a stronger sound. Step-up instruments are also made from better materials. Examples of this include solid silver, open hole flutes, wooden oboes and clarinets, and more pure metals in the brass instruments. With step-up instruments, your child gets:
● Improved Tone ● Improved Response ● Larger/Standard Instrument - for string players ● Additional Keys/Tubing – Many woodwind instruments have additional keys that are used in intermediate and advanced music. Many brass instruments have thicker metal, which is called double walled metal. Trombones have an F attachment, which is also known as a “trigger trombone”. French horns, baritones and tubas have additional valves.
All these additional upgrades and features allow your child’s instrument to grow with them in musical maturity. As wind instrumentalists improve their playing ability, they may tend to “overblow” on their beginner instrument. They are becoming more powerful, so they need an instrument that can keep up with them. Please keep in mind that students who show dedication and fortitude in learning an instrument are likely to enjoy playing and will want to stick with it. This means they will eventually need a step-up instrument. If your child shows the fortitude, why buy a beginner model knowing they will need a better instrument in the future? If you or your child are uncertain, renting is the best option until you are sure. Beginner model instrument resale value is similar to that of electronics or cars - just because you pay $200 for a new beginner model instrument doesn’t mean you will get that back when it’s time to upgrade. You likely will get about half of that back. In addition, some older brands or models of an instrument can be better quality than anything you can buy new these days. For example, Mrs. Mann’s personal clarinet is a Selmer Series 9, made in the 1960s, and Mr. Mann’s personal tuba is a Conn 52J, made in the 1990s.
The following list contains acceptable brand names for intermediate models of each instrument. This list is not exhaustive, as there are many good intermediate and advanced models and brands. While your instrument does not necessarily have to be one of these brands, I ask that you check with me before getting an instrument that is not one of these brands. There are a few suggestions for upgraded mouthpieces, but once your student reaches an intermediate model instrument, it is best to let them try a variety of mouthpieces in a music store to find the best fit for their face. Updated June 2020 Compiled by Rachel and Jason Mann
RECOMMENDED BRANDS Intermediate Models
Flute (Silver plated, offset Alto Saxophone: Getzen G, open holed, C foot): Yamaha King Armstrong Buescher Bach Jupiter Selmer Holton Gemeinhardt (older models) Bundy Mouthpiece: Yamaha Mouthpiece: 3C Selmer C* (C star) 1C Oboe (wooden): Selmer C** (C double star) Yamaha Selmer S-80 French horn (double): Selmer Vandoren V5 Classic Holton Buffet Crampon Ligature (Leather Conn 6D or 8D Fox recommended): Mouthpiece: Tiery Rovner Holton Farkas XDC Patricola BG Reeds: Trombone (with Soprano Clarinet in Bb Vandoren, size 3.0-3.5 F-attachment): (wooden): D’Addario (Royal or Yamaha Selmer Reserve), size 3.0-3.5 Olds Buffet Crampon Holton Yamaha Tenor Saxophone: Blessing Leblanc Selmer Conn Backun Yamaha Getzen Mouthpiece: Ligature: King Vandoren M13 Rovner Mouthpiece: Ligature (Leather BG Schilke 47 or 51 recommended): Selmer Rovner Dark or MK III Reeds: Euphonium (4 valve, Vandoren Vandoren, size 3.0-3.5 compensating): Reeds: D’Addario (Royal or Holton Vandoren, size 3.0-3.5 Reserve), size 3.0-3.5 Yamaha D’Addario (Royal or Kanstul Reserve), size 3.0-3.5 Trumpet (1st and 3rd valve Besson have moving slides): Mouthpiece: Yamaha Schilke 51B Conn
This document was adapted and borrowed from: http://www.gcschools.net/gms/band/handbook-inst.%20info.htm http://www.wildcatbands.org/buying-an-instrument.html