Upgrade Your Sound this Holiday Season
If you are still playing the mouthpiece and instrument that you started on as a beginner, it’s time to think about upgrading. The quality of your performance and sound depends greatly on the quality of your equipment.
These are the perfect items to add to your holiday wish lists to UPGRADE YOUR SOUND
1) Step-Up Instrument: the instrument that you started with in beginner band is called a student model - designed to work well for the first few years, but is limited in its sound quality and response. The level of playing called for in high school and beyond demands a higher quality instrument. These are called Intermediate or Professional model Instruments. Your student model can still be used for Marching Band! See our list of recommended brands (below) and attend the "Horns of Plenty" sale on Dec 1 for excellent selection and great deals!
2) Mouthpiece - If an instrument upgrade isn’t in your budget right now, consider a mouthpiece upgrade - it can really improve your sound! Clarinet and Sax students should also upgrade their ligature. See our list of recommended brands (below) and purchase at any music store, or online at amazon or www.musicarts.com.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS
FLUTE
Recommended Brands: Yamaha YFL-381 and above, Gemeinhardt 3SHB and above, Haynes, Azumi
OBOE
Recommended Brands: Selmer 122F and above, Yamaha YOB-441 and above, F. Loree, Bulgheroni Artist or Professional
BASSOON
Recommended Brands: Fox Renard, Selmer
CLARINET
Recommended Brands: Buffet E12, E13, R11, Yamaha YCL-450 and above
Mouthpieces: Vandoren B45, Vandoren 5RV, Vandoren M13
Ligatures: Rovner Mark 3, Rovner Van Gogh, Rovner Versa X
ALTO SAX
Recommended Brands: Yamaha YAS-480 and above, Selmer Paris, P. Mauriat
Mouthpieces: Vandoren V16 Series Hard Rubber Vandoren V5 Classic, Vandoren Optimum
Ligatures: Rovner Dark, Rovner Mark III, Rovner Versa
TENOR SAX
Recommended Brands: Yamaha YTS-480 and above, Selmer Paris, P. Mauriat
Mouthpieces: Vandoren V16 Series Hard Rubber Vandoren V5 Classic, Vandoren Optimum
Ligatures: Rovner Dark, Rovner Mark III, Rovner Versa
BARITONE SAX
Recommended Brands: Yamaha YBS-62 and above, Selmer Paris, P. Mauriat
Mouthpieces: Vandoren V16 Series Hard Rubber, Vandoren V5 Classic, Vandoren Optimum
Ligatures: Rovner Dark, Rovner Mark III, Rovner Versa
TRUMPET
Recommended Brands: Jupiter JTR1100S or higher, King 2055 Silver Flair or higher, Bach Stradivarius, Yamaha Xeno, Shires
Mouthpieces: Bach 3B or 3C, Bach 5B or 5C, Schilke 13D4
FRENCH HORN
Recommended Brands: Holton H379 Intermediate, Conn 11D Symphony Series or higher, Holton H170 Farkas Series or higher, Yamaha YHR-668 or higher, Hans Hoyer 801 or higher
Mouthpieces: Holton Farkas MC, Holton Farkas MDC, Schilke 31B, Laskey 70F, Laskey 70G
TROMBONE
Recommended Brands: Jupiter JTB1100FKing 3B or higher, Yamaha YSL-448G or higher, Conn 88 or higher, Bach Stradivarius, 36Bach Stradivarius, 42Yamaha Xeno, Shires TBQ30A Q-Series or higher
Mouthpieces: Schilke 51D, Bach 6 ½ AL,Bach 5G
BARITONE/EUPHONIUM
Recommended Brands: Besson BE-1065 Performance Series, Willson 2900S or higher, Besson BE967 Sovereign Series or higher, Miraphone 5050 Ambassador Series
Mouthpieces: Schilke 51D, Bach 6 ½ AL, Bach 5G
