Acquiring a Band Instrument (What you will need to play and where to go to get it!)
Some parents find this guide helpful for acquiring an instrument: http://web.memberclicks.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=94504&orgId=napbirt
Flutes
(Swab--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Clean the moisture from your flute after every practice session. Use a flute swab or use the cleaning rod in combination with a thin moisture absorbing handkerchief-type piece of material, thin enough to pull through the flute. Wash the swab/handkerchief every few weeks to prevent mold/mildew from building inside the flute case. You can also purchase a polishing cloth (optional) for cleaning off dirt/oil and fingerprints.
Oboes
(Swab--Cork grease--Reeds--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. The cork on oboe joints needs a tiny bit of cork grease every now and then. Always have plenty of extra wooden reeds (buy soft or medium-soft). Reeds WILL break, and they need to be replaced often. Please do not purchase plastic reeds. Always keep your reed in it's case, especially before a performance. Clean the moisture from your oboe after every practice session. Use a handkerchief-type oboe swab (silk is best) - you can buy one at your local music store or online. Wash the swab every few weeks to prevent mold/mildew from building inside the case. .
Clarinets
(Swab--Cork grease--Reeds--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. The cork on clarinet joints needs a tiny bit of cork grease (probably given with clarinet) every now and then. Always have plenty of extra reeds (size 1.5 or 2). Reeds WILL break, and they need to be replaced often. Clean the moisture from your clarinet after every practice session. Use a handkerchief-type clarinet swab (silk is best) - you can buy one at your local music store or online. Wash the swab every few weeks to prevent mold/mildew from building inside the case.
Saxophones
(Swab--Cork grease--Reeds--Neckstrap--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. The cork on the neck joint needs a tiny bit of cork grease (probably given with instrument) every now and then. Saxophone players need a neckstrap - try out the more comfortable neckstraps with extra cushioning around the back of the neck. Always have plenty of extra reeds (size 1.5 or 2). Reeds WILL break, and they need to be replaced often. Clean the moisture from your saxophone after every practice session. Use a handkerchief-type sax swab (silk is best) - you can buy one at your local music store or online. Wash the swab every few weeks to prevent mold/mildew from building inside the case.
Trumpets
(Valve oil--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Always keep a small bottle of valve oil in your case. Students are shown by their teacher how to oil valves properly (taking them out; oil over a sink or paper towels) and should do so when a valve sounds/feels like it is drying out. Empty the moisture from the trumpet after every practice session. Open the water key/spit valve and blow (not buzz) into the horn over a trash can or sink. You can also purchase a polishing cloth (optional) for cleaning off dirt/oil and fingerprints.
French horns
(Rotor oil--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Always keep a small bottle of rotor oil in your case. Students are shown by their teacher how to oil rotors properly and should do so when a key sounds/feels like it is drying out. Empty the moisture from the horn after every practice session. Pull out rear tube and empty over a trash can or sink. You can also purchase a polishing cloth (optional) for cleaning off dirt/oil and fingerprints.
Trombones
(Slide cream--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Always keep a small bottle of slide cream (oil is different and often does not work as well as slide cream) in your case. Students are shown how to apply cream to the slide properly, and should do so when the slide feels slow and scratchy. Empty the moisture from the trombone after every practice session. Open the water key/spit valve and blow (not buzz) into the trombone over a trash can or sink. You can purchase a polishing cloth (optional) for cleaning off dirt/oil and fingerprints.
Baritones
(Valve oil--Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Always keep a small bottle of valve oil in your case. Students are shown by their teacher how to oil valves properly (taking them out; oil over a sink or paper towels) and should do so when a valve sounds/feels like it is drying out. Empty the moisture from the baritone after every practice session. Open the water key/spit valve and blow (not buzz) into the baritone over a trash can or sink. You can purchase a polishing cloth (optional) for cleaning off dirt/oil and fingerprints.
Percussion/Bell Kit
(Music stand--Book)
You will need a lesson book (Essential Elements 2000). Purchasing a music stand for home practice is highly recommended. Most bell kits come with all needed supplies. Many bells already have note names etched on keys - this option is best. If your bells come with note name stickers bring them to school so your teacher can properly adhere them. Students must have a pair of drum sticks (size 2B) and bell mallets. It would be helpful for students to have a pair of soft rubber mallets (as well as hard ones) for a softer sound during home practicing! Many bell kits come with double-headed mallets (one end is hard plastic, other end is rubber). It is very helpful to have a bell kit where a student can use the same stand for both the practice pad and the bells.
Some local stores to rent instruments and get supplies, such as the "Essential Elements" book are:
Music & Arts: http://www.musicarts.com/Stores/Store.aspx?id=348
181 West Lincoln Hwy Exton, PA 19341
484 875-0101
Music and Arts- Newtown Square http://www.musicarts.com/Stores/Store.aspx?sid=0072
(610)356-4674
3551 Rhoads Ave
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3629
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3629
125 North Wayne Avenue Wayne, PA 19087
610-687-1721
Online Music Supplies/Accessories
Musician's Friend www.musiciansfriend.com
Music123 www.music123.com
Woodwind-Brasswind www.wwbw.com