Rock Lake Band - Instrument Accessories

A good instrument is one which can be played well in tune without unreasonable effort, has a good tone quality, and is well constructed for fewer repair problems. Instruments that are inferior regarding the above attributes are worthless at any price! Not only will the student have problems, he will cause serious problems with the entire band sound if his instrument is inadequate.

A good mouthpiece is one that is consistent in quality and size, and has dimensions that make good tone production and intonation ( playing in tune) easier. The mouthpiece is where the sound begins. It is therefore the most important part of any instrument. A good instrument with an inferior mouthpiece makes as much sense as a Ferrari with a VW engine!

In an effort to reduce costs, most instrument makers put cheap $5.00 mouthpieces with their $400.00+ instruments! No professional player would think of playing on the mouthpiece that came with their instrument. The following instruments and mouthpieces represent acceptable quality and good value for the money. CHECK WITH THE DIRECTOR BEFORE BUYING AN INSTRUMENT OR MOUTHPIECE THAT IS NOT ON THIS LIST!

FLUTE

Gemeinhardt, Pearl, & Emerson

The better flutes have solid silver head joints, the best have solid head and body. Most advanced players use open hole flutes. Most beginners start on closed hole models

CLARINETS

Yamaha YCL 34, Vito (wood step-up model),
Selmer, Buffett R11

These are wooden , clarinets, not plastic. They have a much superior sound and are a much better value than plastic clarinets. A good plastic model with an upgraded mouthpiece will give acceptable results if money is a problem.

ACCEPTABLE CLARINET MOUTHPIECES
Vandoren B-45 w/ Rovner Ligature
Selmer B-Star w/ Rovner Ligature
Woodwind K10M with Rovner ligature
Ridenour Premier

OBOE

Fox, Selmer, Yamaha

TRUMPETS

Bach, Bundy, Besson, Conn

TRUMPET MOUTHPIECES
Bach 3C or equivalent

SAXOPHONES

Yamaha, Bundy II, or Selmer

FRENCH HORN MOUTHPIECES

Holton Farkas MDC
Giardinelli C8 or C11

TROMBONES

Holton, Besson, or Blessing

TROMBONE AND BARITONE MOUTHPIECES
Bach 6 1/2 AL or equivalent
Bach 12C

TUBA MOUTHPIECES

Bach 18
Blessing 18
Helleberg

Everyone needs a folding music stand for home practice and occasional concert use outside school.

CLARINETS AND SAXOPHONES
Swab, mouthpiece cleaning brush, at least 2 number 2 1/2 (beginners), 3, or 3 1/2 reeds, and reed-keeper that will hold 4 reeds (note: this is a suggestion, not everyone prefers to use reed-keepers.)

TRUMPETS, BARITONES, F-HORNS, TUBAS
Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece cleaning brush, and cleaning snake.

TROMBONES
Slide oil, or slide cream and small spray bottle filled with water, mouthpiece cleaning brush, cleaning snake.

PERCUSSION
Advanced and Concert Band percussion students need the following: A stick bag with at least 1 pair of drum sticks (2B or 5A), 2 pairs of tympani mallets (1 pair medium, 1 pair hard), 1 pair hard plastic bell mallets, 1 pair rubber xylophone mallets, and a pitch pipe for tuning the timpani. Beginners should have a percussion kit with practice pad and bells, bell mallets, 2B drum sticks, and a stick bag. The student will only need to bring their music folder and stick bag to school.

Rock Lake Middle School Band
250 Slade Drive, Longwood, Florida 32750
phone: 407-746-9385

This web site was created and is managed by the Rock Lake Middle School Band Booster Board (not Seminole County School District or Rock Lake Middle School). It serves as an aid for those students who participate in the Rock Lake Middle School Band organization and their parents. It is our goal to not post any information that personally identifies any students. All of the information on this web site is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Rock Lake Band Boosters can accept no responsibility for any errors or for the use of the information provided. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only. Any links outside this web site are provided as a convenience only and the Rock Lake Band Boosters can not control the content on those sites. Contact the web administrator if you have any questions or comments - admin@rocklakeband.org.