It is recommended that all students have a music stand and a metronome for home practice. A tuner is also a useful tool for wind instrumentalists.
Mr. Williams recommends families with high speed internet access at home also subscribe to the SmartMusic & Impact programs. This program includes a metronome, a tuner, correlates with the lesson method books #1 and #2, and contains thousands of exercises and solos. Contact Mr. Williams for subscription information and a discount code to get a rate of for $25 a year instead of $120.
Mr. Williams also strongly encourages families renting instruments to speak with him prior to "paying off" the beginning instrument rental contract. There are some great upgrade advantages and incentives for students rather than accepting the limitations of most beginner quality instruments. This is the best time to invest in an intermediate or professional quality instrument, rather than a year or two later when the savings incentives are no longer available! [More info at the bottom of the page about this...]
Following is a list of additional accessories recommended for each instrument.
Flute
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Cleaning rod and clean, soft cloth
- Flute swab
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional open holed flute at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument will include additional keys that allow for lower notes, better intonation, and more control.
Oboe
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Instrument swab
- Cork grease
- Reeds (at least 3 good reeds at all times)
- I recommend reeds for 1st year players in a #2 (medium-soft) strength
- I recommend reeds for others in a #3 (medium) strength
- Reed case that holds 3 or more reeds (instead of the tubes the reeds come in)
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional oboe at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument will be made of real wood and will include additional keys that allow for better intonation and speed.
Clarinet
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Handkerchief instrument swab
- Cork grease
- Woodwind mouthpiece brush
- Reeds (at least 3 good reeds at all times)
- I recommend reeds for 1st year players in a #2 strength for the first 6 months
- I recommend reeds for 1st year players in a #2 1/2 strength after the first 6 months
- I recommend reeds for 3rd year players in a #3 (medium) strength
- Reed case that holds at least 2 reeds - I like the 4 reed case (instead of the cases they often come in)
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional clarinet at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument will be made of real wood and will allow for better intonation and control.
Saxophone
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Instrument swab
- Cork grease
- Woodwind mouthpiece brush
- Reeds (at least 3 good reeds at all times)
- I recommend reeds for 1st year players in a #2 strength for the first 6 months
- I recommend reeds for 1st year players in a #2 1/2 strength after the first 6 months
- I recommend reeds for 3rd year players in a #3 (medium) strength
- Reed case that holds at least 2 reeds - I like the 4 reed case (instead of the cases they often come in)
- Padded neck strap
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional saxophone at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument will allow for better intonation and control.
Trumpet
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Cleaning snake
- Brass mouthpiece brush
- Valve oil - I recommend Aisyn oil
- Clean, soft cloth
- Tuning slide grease - I recommend Aisyn lubricant
- Straight mute - metal
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional trumpet at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument will allow for better intonation and control.
French Horn
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Cleaning snake
- Brass mouthpiece brush
- Rotary valve oil - I recommend Aisyn oil
- Clean, soft cloth
- Tuning slide grease - I recommend Aisyn lubricant
- Mute - ask for a transposed mute
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional double french horn at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument is vastly superior and a necessity for the kinds of performance the students will now work toward. It will allow for better ease of play, range, intonation and control.
Trombone
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Cleaning snake
- Brass mouthpiece brush
- Slide cream (not oil!) - I recommend Trombotine or Conn Superslick. (See Mr. Williams for instructions on applying this.)
- Water spray bottle (for use with slide cream)
- Clean, soft cloth
- Tuning slide grease - I recommend Aisyn lubricant
- Straight mute - metal
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional trombone with an F attachment trigger at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument is vastly superior and a necessity for the kinds of performance the students will now work toward. It will allow for better ease of play, range, intonation and control.
Baritone/Tuba
- Music stand
- Metronome
- Tuner
- Cleaning snake
- Brass mouthpiece brush
- Valve oil - I recommend Aisyn oil
- Clean, soft cloth
- Tuning slide grease- I recommend Aisyn Lubricant
- Students are encouraged to consider upgrading to an intermediate or professional instrument at the conclusion of the beginner rental contract period. This instrument is will allow for better ease of play, intonation and control.
- Music stand
- Metronome - not a small "credit card" version because it is not loud enough
- Stick bag
- Vic Firth SD-1 General snare drum sticks
- Bell mallets (hard plastic)
- Xylophone mallets (hard and soft rubber)
- Timpani mallets (Vic Firth General)
- Drum key
- Pitch pipe (for tuning timpani)
Upgrading from a Beginner Instrument
Most beginner instruments are designed, based on their size and shape, to allow young students to produce a sound and create a recognizable tune within the first two to three months of playing - as well as to stand up to the physical abuse during the beginning years. Many of the enhancements in an intermediate or professional instrument are going to be in the tone quality, and in the way the instrument has been manufactured.
The benefits of an intermediate or professional model instrument include a better sound and improved playability. If a students can’t "feel" and/or if I can't "hear" a difference, they're probably not ready for a step-up model yet. I always offer to go to the music store with you to try different step-up instruments and offer advice based on what I "hear" and help guide the student to describe what they "feel" while playing the various instruments.
Most important - talk to Mr. Williams before you "pay off" the rental and especially before buying anything on your own!
More information: Instrument models are divided into 3 basic levels based on craftsmanship and performance capabilities. The three basic instrument levels are Student, Intermediate and Professional.
Student Level:
Student level instruments are for the beginning band student. Typically, this is the first instrument a parent will rent or buy for their child.
Intermediate Level:
Intermediate level instruments are a step above the student level. These instruments include extra features not found on student model instruments and may include:
- Upgrade in Body Materials
Brasswind Instruments: Brass to Silver Finish
Woodwind Instruments: Plastic to Wood for Clarinets, Oboes and Bassoons
Added Silver Content on Flute Models - Extended playing ranges
- Additional keys for alternate fingerings
- Additional engraving on the instrument
- Instrument case and mouthpiece upgrade (mouthpiece upgrades are very significant)
Professional Level:
Professional level instruments are 'top of the line' models. Enhanced features may include:
- Body composition is upgraded to highest level of materials
- Extended playing ranges
- Additional keys for alternate fingerings
- Additional engraving on the instrument
- Professional Case and Professional Mouthpiece
Woodwinds
General Information
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/ - this site contains woodwind fingering charts as well as a forum for woodwind players.
Flute/Piccolo
http://www.fluteland.com/ - a center for online flute lessons that includes on-demand video flute lessons, flute lesson plans, flute fingering charts, flute forums, video-conferencing flute lessons, live teacher responses to student questions and more.
Oboe/Bassoon Double Reed Supplies
http://www.forrestsmusic.com/ - this site contains double reed supplies
http://www.wwbw.com/ - this site contains woodwind supplies
Local Music Stores
http://www.gerrys-music.com/ - Gerry's Music Shop (South Hadley)
Local Performing Arts Groups
http://www.springfieldsymphony.org/detpages/young109.shtml - Young People's Symphony and Young People's Philharmonia (affiliated with Springfield Symphony Orchestra)
