To help ensure your student’s success, we’ve compiled a list of recommended materials for instrument maintenance and performance. These items are key to keeping instruments in top shape, and the Method Book is a must-have (your child may already have it, so be sure to ask!). The Etude Book for each instrument is optional but highly encouraged to help students grow their skills.
When selecting an instrument, mouthpiece, or other accessories, please keep in mind that it’s important to try them out first. Many music stores offer the opportunity to test materials before you purchase, and we highly recommend doing so. Every student’s preferences can vary—one may prefer a Yamaha trumpet, while another may gravitate towards a Bach. The brands and models listed here serve as a great starting point, providing a reference for quality options. However, this is by no means an exhaustive list—there are plenty of excellent alternatives out there.
If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Butler or Mr. Shives! We’re here to help.
ALL MUSICIANS:
Tuner and Metronome:
- Phone App: Tonal Energy approximately $4.99 (Apple Link) (Android Link)
SELECT AN INSTRUMENT:
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FLUTE:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Flute Brands:
- Yamaha – Flute Center of NY
- Azumi
- Miyazawa
- Di Zhao
Additional Items:
- Flute Maintenance Kit:
- Includes tuning and cleaning rods, Cleaning Cloth, Key Oil Tendon Grease
- Etude Book: The Modern Flutist
| W32FL - Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-ups and Technique for... | Flute Cleaner Care Cleaning Kit,Maintenance Kit,Key Oil,Cork... | The Modern Flutist: Flute |
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| $7.99 | $17.99 | $21.99 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
CLARINET:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Clarinet Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Clarinet Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional Items:
- Four good playable reeds. Vandoren is the approved reed.
- Be sure to check with your private lesson teacher on what strength reed you should be playing on.
- Clarinet Maintenance Kit:
- Includes reed guard, cork grease, mouthpiece cleaner, tube swab, cleaning cloths, thumbrest guard, mouthpiece teeth guard, single mini screwdriver
- Etude Book: 30 Caprices for the Clarinet
| W32CL - Foundations for Superior Performance - Clarinet | Vandoren CR103 Bb Clarinet Traditional Reeds Strength 3; Box of 10 | Boao 23 Pcs Clarinet Cleaning Kit All in One Accessories Set with Swab,... |
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| $7.99 | $27.00 | $17.49 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| 30 Caprices for the Clarinet (Music for Clarinet) | Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-ups and Technique for Band :... | |
 |  | |
| $10.14 | $8.95 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
SAXOPHONE(S):
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Saxophone Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Saxophone Brands:
Additional Items:
- Four good playable reeds. Vandoren is the approved reed.
- Be sure to check with your private lesson teacher on what strength reed you should be playing on.
- Saxophone Maintenance Kit:
- Includes reed guard, cork grease, mouthpiece cleaner, tube swab, cleaning cloths, pad cleaning paper
- Neck Strap
- Etude Book: Selected Studies for Saxophone
| Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-Ups and Technique for Band :... | W32XB - Foundations for Superior Performance - Bb Tenor Saxophone (Warm-Ups... | W32XR - Foundations for Superior Performance - Baritone Saxophone |
 |  |  |
| $6.95 | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Vandoren SR213 Alto Sax Traditional Reeds Strength 3; Box of 10 | Yamaha Alto/Tenor Sax Maintenance Kit 1.25 x 4.75 x 10.25 | Neotech Soft Sax Strap |
 |  |  |
| $34.00 | $21.98 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Selected Studies – Saxophone Sheet Music | Advanced Etudes and Exercises... | ||
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| $9.99 | ||
| Buy on Amazon |
TRUMPET:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Trumpet Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Trumpet Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional Items:
- Trumpet Maintenance Kit
- Includes valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, trumpet snake (a flexible inner tube cleaning brush), exterior cleaning cloth
- Mutes:
- Liberty Straight Mute
- Liberty Cup Mute
- Etude Book: Getchell 1st Book of Practical Studies
| W32TP - Foundations for Superior Performance – Trumpet | Trumpet/Cornet Cleaner Care and Cleaning Kit | Pro Tec Liberty Mutes ML100 Straight Trumpet - Aluminum |
 |  |  |
| $7.99 | $17.49 | $23.99 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Protec Trumpet Adjustable Cup Liberty Mute, Aluminum, Model ML104 | First Book of Practical Studies for Cornet and Trumpet | |
 |  | |
| $36.99 | $7.99 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
HORN:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Horn Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Horn Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional Items:
- French Horn Maintenance Kit:
- Includes rotor oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, mouthpiece brush, flexible inner tube cleaning brush, replacement horn string, polishing cloth
- Etude Books:
- Alphonse: 200 New Gradual Etudes
- 60 Selected Studies for Horn
| W32HF - Foundations for Superior Performance - French Horn | Monster French Horn Care and Cleaning Kit | Rotor Valve Oil w/Easy-to-Use... | Monster French Horn Care and Cleaning Kit | Rotor Valve Oil w/Easy-to-Use... |
 |  | |
| $8.95 | $19.95 | $19.95 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Alphonse: 200 New Melodic and Gradual Etudes - Volume 1 | Sixty Selected Studies: For Horn, a Kalmus Classic Edition (Kalmus Edition) | |
 |  | |
| $34.99 | $12.99 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
TROMBONE:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Trombone Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Trombone Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional Items:
- Trombone Maintenance Kit:
- Includes valve oil, slide grease, valve brush, mouthpiece brush, flexible inner tube brush, cleaning cloth
- Etude Books:
- Concert and Contest Collection
- Melodious Etudes for Trombone – Book 1
| Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-ups and Technique for Band :... | Monster Trombone Care and Cleaning Kit | USA-Based and Veteran-Owned! Slide... | Concert and Contest Collection for Trombone: Solo Book Only (Rubank... |
 |  |  |
| $6.95 | $19.95 | $8.99 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Concert and Contest Collection for Trombone: Solo Book Only (Rubank... | Melodious Etudes for Trombone: Book 1 : Nos. 1-60 | |
|  | |
| $8.99 | $21.99 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
OBOE:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Oboe Brands:
Additional Items:
| W32OB - Foundations for Superior Performance - Oboe | SKYNEO Clarinet Cleaning Kit, Saxophone Cleaning Kit, Clarinet & Saxophone... | |
 |  | |
| $7.99 | $14.99 | |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
BASSOON:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Bassoon Brand:
Additional items:
| W32BN - Foundations for Superior Performance - Bassoon | ||
 | ||
| $8.95 | ||
| Buy on Amazon |
EUPHONIUM:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Euphonium Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Euphonium Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional items:
- Low Brass Maintenance Kit:
- Includes valve oil, slide grease, valve brush, mouthpiece brush, flexible inner tube brush, cleaning cloth
- Etude Books:
- New Concert Studies for Euphonium
- Concert and Contest Collection
| W32BC - Foundations for Superior Performance - Euphonium B.C. | Libretto Low Brass ALL-INCLUSIVE Cleaning Kit with Instructions: Valve Oil... | Steven Mead Presents: New Concert Studies for Euphonium Book With CD Vol. 1... |
 |  |  |
| $7.99 | $19.95 | $19.99 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Concert and Contest Collection for Baritone B.C.: Solo Book with Online... | ||
 | ||
| $17.99 | ||
| Buy on Amazon |
TUBA:
First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Tuba Brands and Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Tuba Brands:
Mouthpiece/Ligature:
Additional Items:
- Low Brass Maintenance Kit:
- Includes valve oil, slide grease, valve brush, mouthpiece brush, flexible inner tube brush, cleaning cloth
- Etude Books:
- 60 Etudes for Tuba
- Concert and Contest Collection
| Foundations for Superior Performance: Warm-Ups and Technique for Band :... | Libretto Low Brass ALL-INCLUSIVE Cleaning Kit with Instructions: Valve Oil... | 60 Etudes for Tuba, Op. 5 (Kopprasch Classic Studies for Tuba) |
 | |  |
| $7.99 | $19.95 | $19.00 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
| Concert and Contest Collection for Bass/Tuba (B.C.): Solo Book Only (Rubank... | ||
 | ||
| $8.99 | ||
| Buy on Amazon |
PERCUSSION:
- Stick Bag with Mallets: Innovative FP3-Plus College Primer Pack: $330 (Purchase Link)
- Etude Book:
- The Packet by Frank Chapple: approximately $30 (Purchase Link)