Instrument Accessories
We suggest that all band students have their own music stand for home practice. We suggest the inexpensive fold up wire stands. These can be easily transported to concerts, workshops, and other performance activities.
Instrument Maintenance/Repair
If your child is complaining that certain notes may not be working properly on their instrument, please send a note to the teacher to see if they can determine what might be wrong. Our teachers are not experts on all maintenance issues on all the instruments but run it by them first. If he or she suggests getting it repaired, please contact the place where you rented from and find out what the procedure is.
Saxophone Players
Always have at least 2-3 back up reeds available in your case and some at home. Parents, please check with your child. It is extremely hard to play on a reed that is chipped. Reeds that start to get dark in color have mold and should be discarded. We suggest that students rinse their reeds off with water regularly. Students should also take their reeds off and rinse out their mouthpieces at least once a week.
Reeds: Important! There are different size reeds. We recommend a size 2 Rico for Alto Saxophone when first starting and then trying a 2.5 later in the year. Please make sure you select the right size
Neck straps (Optional): Some students complain about their neck straps being uncomfortable. We recommend purchasing a padded neck strap for comfort.
Clarinets
Always have at least 2-3 back up reeds available in your case and some at home. Parents, please check with your child. It is extremely hard to play on a reed that is chipped. Reeds that start to get dark in color have mold and should be discarded. We suggest that students rinse their reeds off with water regularly. Students should also take their reeds off and rinse out their mouthpieces at least once a week.
(Important! There are different size reeds. We recommend a size 2 Rico for clarinets when first starting and then trying a 2.5 later in the year. Please make sure you select the right size)
Cleaning Swab La Voz Pad Gard Clarinet Swab (Optional)
Thumb Rest Cushion Pad (Optional)
Some clarinet players complain about their right thumb rest bothers their thumb. Here is a pad that costs about $1 if you feel you need one.
Flute Players
Not really anything Flutes might need except a cloth to keep the exterior of the flute clean. Most flutes come with a rod that you can rap a piece of cloth around and swab out the flute of moisture after you play it. You can also find pipe cleaners for Flute.
Trumpet Players
Trumpet players need valve oil to keep their trumpet valves moving freely. The bottle that came with the trumpet should suffice for the school year. I will put a link you connect to if you need oil.
Other things to help keep the trumpet clean:
Maintenance Kit: includes valve oil and cleaning products
Trombone Players
It is important to have oil for the slide. Most rentals come with this.
For cleaning you need to have a “snake” to help clean the inside tubing.
Links for:
Percussionists
A good thing to have is a practice pad. Most rentals come with this. If you don’t have one, there are flexible rubber mats that fit on top of the snare drum or the smaller “Remo Silent Surface Pad”. This is handy for home use as well in class. This way drummers can practice at home without disturbing anyone using the pads. We also use them in class.