Band Accessories

Optional accessories for each instrument. Most links go to Music & Arts, set to the strength or size that works well for beginners.

Flute

• Practice: an empty soda bottle. See if you can make the sound by blowing across the top. Cost: $0 after you drink the soda.

• Cleaning: a bandana or handkerchief tied to the handle on the outside of the case, used with the cleaning rod inside the case. A Hodge Flute Silk Swab works too.

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

Oboe

• Reed: Marlin Lesher Oboe Reed, Medium. I like these better than medium soft because they last longer and build endurance. The softer ones don't play well and close up easily.

• Neck strap (optional): D'Addario (Rico) Padded Saxophone Strap, Soprano/Alto, plus a thumb tab strap attachment (black 2-pack on Amazon) if the thumb rest has no ring for the strap.

• Swab: Hodge Oboe Silk Swab

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

Clarinet

• Reeds: Rico B-flat Clarinet Reeds, Strength 2 (box of 10). Strength 2 is the standard; move up to 2.5 as you get more comfortable. Rico reeds are the least expensive quality reeds; cheaper ones are harder to play.

• Neck strap (optional): D'Addario (Rico) Padded Saxophone Strap, Soprano/Alto, plus a thumb tab strap attachment (black 2-pack on Amazon) if the thumb rest has no ring for the strap.

• Ligature and cap: Rovner Dark B-flat Clarinet Ligature and Cap. Easier to use, and it plays better.

• Swab: Hodge B-flat Clarinet Silk Swab

• Mouthpiece brush: Giardinelli Woodwind Mouthpiece Brush

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

• Serious players: upgraded mouthpieces and reeds are available. Ask me for details.

Saxophone

• Reeds: Rico Alto Saxophone Reeds, Strength 2 or Rico Tenor Saxophone Reeds, Strength 2 (box of 10). Strength 2 is the standard; move up to 2.5 as you get more comfortable. Rico reeds are the least expensive quality reeds; cheaper ones are harder to play.

• Neck strap (optional): D'Addario (Rico) Padded Saxophone Strap, Soprano/Alto or Tenor/Baritone length

• Ligature and cap: Rovner Dark Alto Saxophone Ligature and Cap or Rovner Dark Tenor Saxophone Ligature and Cap. Easier to use, and it plays better.

• Swab: Hodge Alto Sax Silk Swab or Hodge Tenor Sax Silk Swab. Get the long cloth, silk, or microfiber kind that pulls through the instrument, not the string with a padded end.

• Mouthpiece brush: Yamaha Saxophone Mouthpiece Brush

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

• Serious players: upgraded mouthpieces and reeds are available. Ask me for details.

Trumpet

• Valve oil: Al Cass Fast Valve, Slide & Key Oil

• Cleaning snake set: H.W. Brass-Saver Cleaning Brushes, Trumpet

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

French Horn

• Rotor oil: Yamaha Synthetic Rotor Oil

• Cleaning snake: Superslick French Horn Wire Snake

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

Trombone

• Oil: Al Cass Fast Valve, Slide & Key Oil

• Cleaning snake set: H.W. Brass-Saver Cleaning Brushes, Trombone

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

Baritone

• Valve oil: Al Cass Fast Valve, Slide & Key Oil

• Cleaning snake: Giardinelli Baritone Horn Bore Cleaner

• Tuner app: TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome ("TE Tuner") for iPhone and iPad or Android, plus Windows/Mac

Links go to outside stores and websites, which can change or remove their pages at any time. If a link doesn't open the right item, search for the product name on that site.