MEYZEEK   BANDS

Subtitle

BEGINNER SUPPLY LISTS:


We have two priorities when it comes to beginning students and their supplies.

     *We want the KIDS to be successful

     *We want to make the process as simple (and inexpensive) as possible for the PARENTS


     Below are the supplies that the beginners will need.  No white gloves.  No bore oil.  No fancy repair and/or maintenance kits.  With over twenty years of teaching experience, I recommend the following:
     (How do you get an instrument?  See the "Beginners" page.  There is more information there...


     This is the book we use.


     Essential Elements, BOOK ONE


     It is readily available at any of the local band stores.


     AVOID online orders, as they HAVE taken weeks or over a month to arrive, and have, at times, been the WRONG EDITION.



Flute:


     EE Book 1

     Microfibre polishing cloth

     Tuning rod

Oboe:


     EE Book 1

     Pull-through silk swab (NOT a feather, though!)

     Cork grease

     Jones "red-wrap" beginner reeds, "Medium-Soft."  I'd get 3 or 4, to start with.

     An empty WATER-TIGHT prescription bottle for soaking the reed.

Bassoon:


     EE Book 1

     Swab for the "boot"

     Swab for the "bocal"

     Cork grease

     Beginner reeds.  I'd get a few "Medium-Soft," reeds to start with.

     An empty WATER-TIGHT prescription bottle for soaking the reed.

Clarinet:


     EE Book 1

     Cork Grease

     One box of TEN clarinet reeds, 2 1/2 strength.  For BEGINNERS, we suggest that they use D'Addario, VanDoran, and Mitchell Lurie. Most beginners at Meyzeek play on the #2 1/2 Van Doran in the dark blue box.

      (A 3-pack of reeds will just send you to the store sooner than you'd like!)

     Pull-through swab

     Thumb pad (NOT for bass clarinet)

     Mouthpiece "patch," "guard," or "protector."  I prefer the thicker, black ones, as opposed to the thinner clear patches.

     Mouthpiece with Ligature  (See note to the right.)  Yamaha 4C is recommended for soprano clarinet.  

     Mouthpiece brush

Saxophones:


     EE Book 1

     Cork Grease

     One box of TEN reeds.   Most beginners at Meyzeek play on the #2 1/2 Van Doran in the dark blue box.

     (A 3-pack of reeds will just send you back to the store sooner than you'd like!)

     Neck strap:

          Avoid the cheapest...get one with padding.  Also, be sure that it is the appropriate length for tenor or bari sax, as they need to be longer.  Bari players might also consider looking online for a harness, rather than a neckstrap.

     Mouthpiece "patch," "guard," or "protector."  I prefer the thicker, black ones, as opposed to the thinner clear patches.

     Mouthpiece with Ligature (See note to the right.)

     Mouthpiece brush

This is the cheapest beginner-lever ligature for clarinet or saxophone:

If possible, we encourage them to use a step-up ligature like this one:

CLARINET and SAXOPHONE

     "mouthpiece patches"


These will:

  • Keep the mouthpiece from being destroyed
  • Prevent tooth pain
  • Open the embouchure
  • IMPROVE THE STUDENT'S TONE AND PITCH!!

French Horn:


     EE Book 1

     Mouthpiece, such as a Bach 10, Faxx MC, Holton MC, Holton VDC, or a Yamaha 28B (Faxx MC is rumored to be a copy of the more expensive Holton MC.)

     Mouthpiece brush (for French Horn)

     Microfibre polishing cloth

Trumpet:


     EE Book 1

     5C mouthpiece.  (Band directors USED to suggest a 7C for beginners, but, lately, the tide is turning towards the 5C...)

     Mouthpiece brush (for trumpet)

     Microfiber polishing cloth

     Valve Oil

Trombone:


     EE Book 1

     6 1/2 AL mouthpiece

     Mouthpiece brush (for trombone or baritone)

     Slide Oil

Baritone Horn:


     EE Book 1 for BASS CLEFF, NOT treble!!

     6 1/2 AL mouthpiece

     Mouthpiece brush (for baritone or trombone)

     Valve Oil

Tuba:


     EE Book 1

     Mouthpiece:  either a Conn Helleburg, a Bach 18, or a Conn 7

     Mouthpiece brush (for tuba)

     Valve Oil

Percussionists:


     EE Book 1

     7A snare sticks, or a similar "light" pair, 2B at the heaviest that we want

          DO NOT BRING MARCHING BAND STICKS!!!  SD1's are WAY too large!

     Practice pad for home use

     Stick bags are optional, but will come in handy as more mallets are accumulated.  (Each pair results in a different sound that "fits" with the music in a different way.  It is very common for experienced percussionists to have dozens of pairs!)


MALLETS:

     There are, literally, THOUSANDS of different mallets on the market.  We want all of our percussionists to experience how each have unique sound "timbres," but we don't want them to break the bank in doing so.  

     Here is our solution.  Each student needs TWO pairs of mallets.  One yarn, the other plastic or rubber.  In class, the percussionists will select which ones will get soft, medium, or harder mallets, so that, when we play a certain style of music, we will have the right sound matching from the percussion section!