LAWSON BEGINNING BAND
In s tru m ent Choices
Teacher Suggested Instrument List
This list was developed to assist parents and students in instrument
selection. These brands are purely suggestions for “student”
instruments. A professional quality instrument is better than a
student instrument, but student instruments, as long as they are good
quality and good condition, are fine for middle and high school playing.
In general, the beat instruments are made in the USA and Japan
(Yamaha and Selmer are both great).
I DO NOT advice parents to purchase instruments from Wal-Mart,
Target, K-Mart, or Costco. Avoid school band instruments made in
China or India. While many wonderful ethnic instruments are
manufactured in those countries, western band instruments made in China
and India are not of an acceptable quality for school band use.
(Instruments Made in Taiwan are an exception – Jupiter and Selmer
instruments are sometimes manufactures in Taiwan, and they are fine).
A good instrument will generally cost at least several hundred dollars. An
instrument is a big investment, so spend your money wisely.
Please use the provided directory of music stores within the area to
rent instruments.
The “Accessories” are for instrument maintenance and care.
Many of the items will come with the instrument but some may not.
Please take note and purchase these items along with the instrument.
LAWSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
LAWSON BEGINNING BAND
Instrument List
Flute
Brands: Armstrong, Gemienhardt, Jupiter, and Yamaha
Accessories: Cleaning Swab, Thin Cotton Cloth, (do not stuff it inside the case, store
it on the rod and twist around)
Oboe
Brands/ Model Numbers: Fox Renard 300, 330, 400 or Yamaha
Accessories: 2-3 Reed Guard, Silk Cleaning Swab, Cork Grease. (Forrest Music in
Berekely provides excellent reeds – you can order them online or by phone, and they
are very fast! As an oboist I am also happy to sell reeds I make on an individual basis.)
Bb Clarinet
Brands:Yamaha, Buffet E-11
New Mouthpiece – 5RV lyre
Accessories: #2 Vandoren Reed, 4-reed guard, silk cleaning swab, cork grease,
mouthpiece over, mouthpiece brush – NOTE – if you get a silk swab, you can use it for
mouthpiece brush
Bassoon
Brands: Fox Renard, Puchner, Schreiber, Heckel
Accessories: 2-4 Reed Guard, silk Swab, cork grease, (Forrest’s in Berekely provides
excellent reeds – you can order them online or by phone, and they are very fast!)
Alto Saxophone
Brands:Yamaha YEP-21, Selmer
New Mouthpiece – Selmer C*
Accessories: #2 Vandoren Reeds, 4 Reed Guard, Silk chain swab, mouthpiece cover,
mouthpiece brush – NOTE – if you get a silk swab, you can use it for mouthpiece
brush, neck-strap (get one that is not too complicated but is comfortable)
F Horn
Brands: Conn,Yamaha, King, Holton
Accessories: Valve Oil (not key oil), mouthpiece (options:V. Bach 7, Schilke 30,Yamaha
30C Holton Farkas MC) in a case, soft polish cloth (non-treated), mouth piece
cleaning brush(es): narrow for throat, larger for the back, cleaning rod/ snake, slide
grease (not cork grease), BE.R.P
Bb Trumpet
Brands: Bach, Conn, King,Yamaha
New mouthpiece: Bach 5C
Accessories: Valve Oil (not key oil), 7-C or 5-C mouthpiece in a case, soft polish cloth
(non-treated), mouth piece cleaning brush(es): narrow for throat, larger for the back,
cleaning rod/ snake, petroleum jelly or slide grease (not cork grease), BE.R.P
Trombone
Brands: Bach, King,Yamaha, Holton, Jupiter (they make a good student trombone for
smaller people)
Accessories: Valve Oil (not key oil), 12 C or 6 ½ AL mouthpiece in a case, soft polish
cloth (non-treated), mouth piece cleaning brush(es): narrow for throat, larger for the
back, cleaning rod/ snake, slide grease (not cork grease), Water Bottle, BE.R.P
Baritone
Brands:Yamaha, King, Besson
Accessories:Valve Oil (not key oil), 12 C or 6 ½ AL mouthpiece in a case, soft polish
cloth (non-treated), mouth piece cleaning brush(es): narrow for throat, larger for the
back, cleaning rod/ snake, valve brush, slide grease (not cork grease), BE.R.P
BBb Tuba
Instrument and mouthpiece will be provided by the school*
Valve Oil (not key oil), mouthpiece case, soft polish cloth (non-treated), mouth piece
cleaning brush(es): narrow for throat, larger for the back, cleaning rod/ snake, slide
grease (not cork grease), BE.R.P
Percussion
Brands/ Model Number: Vic Ferth Sticks – 5B
•
Percussion kit or drum pad
Accessories: Remo Tunable Drum Pad, Small stick bag, marimba (Vic Firth General)
mallets
* Percussion students will be required to perform on a woodwind, brass, or string
instrument for the first concert. They will also be required to have a “Form of
Recommendation” signed by their main sixth grade teacher as well as the band
director to continue on the instrument.
LAWSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
LAWSON MIDDL SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
Accessories for All Instrumentalists
These accessories are not mandatory though they are highly
recommended. Instrumental music education is an investment of
time and money. The list provided below are suggested accessories
and brands, which I have found, work well and are reasonably
priced. All these accessories can be found at local music stores,
from the provided list.
Tuners: This device visually identifies the pitch that is being
played on an instrument. This tool is very helpful for developing
solid ear training and assisting students in performing the pitches
correctly.
Korg Chromatic Tuner CA-30
$19.99
Korg CA40 Digital Chromatic Tuner
$24.99
Metronomes: This device is used to maintain a steady beat and
varying tempos. It can be very helpful for students to develop
accurate steady beat and precise rhythmic subdivision. On average
the digital metronomes are more user friendly and more durable
then the classical “stick” metronomes.
Qwiktime QT7 Metronome
$19.99
Qwiktime QT3 Quartz metronome
$15.95
Korg Mentronome MA30
$21.00
Combination Tuner and Metronome: This option is
excellent for space and convenience.
Korg TM-40 Tuner Metronome 32.99
LAWSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
LAWSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
Local Venders
Bronstein’s Music
363 Grand Ave.
South San Fransisco
650-588-2502
Best Music Company
1716 Broadway
Oakland
800-821-3557
Starving Musician
3427 El Camino Real
Santa Clara
408-554-9041
The Music Village
2985 Union Ave (at Foxworthy Ave)
San Jose
408 377-2504
5885 Santa Teresa Blvd (at Snell Ave)
San Jose
408 629-1812
West Valley Music
1350 Grant Rd. 11-B
Mt. View, CA 94040
650-961-1566
Forrest Music
The Double Reed Specialists
1849 University Ave.
Berkeley CA 94703
510-845-7178
Woodwind Brasswind
www.woodwindbrasswind.com
1-800-348-5003
- This online catalog has a great variety and high quality instrument
selection. They are flexible with sending instruments on approval for
purchase.
Taylor Music
www.1800usaband.com
- This is another great website! VERY AFFORDABLE RENTAL AND
PURCHASING POLICIES
LAWSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND