Equipment- Mouthpieces, Mallets, and Instruments

A high quality mouthpiece or headjoint is the first step towards achieving a more mature sound.  If your student musician is playing on the mouthpiece they started beginning band, it is probably time for a step up.  Recommendations for equipment, as well as where to purchase*, are listed below.

(*The Spartan Band Program does not endorse or reccomend any business over another.  There are many other qualified music stores that not listed below.  If you have any questions, please contact the directors.)

Band Instrument Service Company
Cascio Interstate Music
Mid-Rivers Music
Mozingo Music
Music Center of Kirkwood
Woodwind and Brasswind

Clarinet

Hite Premiere (around $20)

Rovner Dark Ligature (around $15)

Vandoren Reeds

Saxophone

Hite Premiere (around $25)

Selmer C* (around $120)

Rovner Dark Ligature (around $15)

Vandoren Reeds

Trumpet

Bach 3C

Horn

Holton Farkas MDC (around $35)

Trombone (be careful when ordering trombone mouthpieces, as the shank size can be different)

Bach 6 ½ AL (around $40)

Yamaha 48 (around $35)

Baritone (be careful when ordering baritone mouthpieces, as the shank size can be different)

Bach 6 ½ AL (around $40)

Yamaha 48D, 51D (around $35)

Schilke 51D (around $50)

Tuba

Conn Helleberg 7B (around $55)

Percussion

Innovative IP 200 Mallet

Vic Firth SD1 Snare Drum Stick

Often, the only thing keeping a student from really developing as a player is the instrument.  The instruments a student plays on as a beginner are outgrown by high school.  An intermediate or advanced instrument is designed with a more mature player in mind, helping them achieve a better tone, better sound in the higher and lower registers, and more ease in technical playing (of course, practicing is still important).  There are several suggestions for instruments listed below, but there are obviously others.  Be cautious of instruments that are priced very low, seem too good to be true, or are not brands easily recognized by music repair shop, private teacher, or band directors.  In these cases, a new instrument can sometimes turn out to be a bigger challenge than they are worth!  One of the most important things about purchasing a new instrument is knowing that it plays well.  While surprising your student with a new instrument under the tree is a very thoughtful gesture, it may be better to let them try several out before purchasing or renting one. 

Flutes

Instruments with open tone holes and/or sterling silver headjoints

Yamaha 300 or 600

Clarinets

Wood instrument

Buffet R-13 or E-11

Alto Sax

Selmer 52

La Voix II

Tenor Sax

La Voix II

Selmer 54

Bassoon

Fox 220, 240

Trumpet

Bach Stradivarius

Yamaha 1805

F Horn

Conn 8D, 9D

Yamaha 668, 667, 569

Trombone

Bach Stradivarius

Conn 88H

Yamaha 400, 640

Tuba

Yamaha YBB- 641

Percussion

Musser M41 Xylophone

Many of the items listed above are available at local music stores or over the internet.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Griffin or Mr. Messerli.