Instrument & Gift Guide

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. Mitchell! We’re here to help.

ALL MUSICIANS:

Tuner and Metronome:

• Phone App: Tonal Energy approximately $4.99 (Apple Link) (Android Link)

For Football Games, wind students will need flip folder/lyres. You can click on the link below or order through Amazon or any music store of your choice.

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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

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CLARINET:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Clarinet Brands and 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

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SAXOPHONE(S):

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Saxophone Brands and 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.
• 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

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TRUMPET:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Trumpet Brands and 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

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HORN:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Horn Brands and 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

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TROMBONE:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Trombone Brands and 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

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OBOE:

Additional Items:

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BASSOON:

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EUPHONIUM:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Euphonium Brands and 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

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TUBA:

First instrument or ready for an upgrade? Here are the approved Tuba Brands and 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

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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)