Each year, we have several students get upgrade instruments at the end of the year in preparation for next year.
You might have some questions about upgrades. Well hopefully this will answer some questions:
What does an "upgrade" mean?
The instrument many of you are renting from the music store is specifically designed for a beginning level student in mind. While it is a good quality instrument - the time, care, and materials used in manufacturing that instrument were chosen for cost effectiveness. An "upgrade" would mean that you are ready for the responsibility of playing an instrument that was designed with an advanced student or player in mind. Usually, kids in Honor Winds and Symphonic Band are ready for upgrade instruments. These instruments, if taken care of, hold on to their value very well.
Why should we step-up or upgrade?
Just like sporting equipment is designed for different level players, so are band instruments. Certainly high school football players no longer use the same
equipment (helmet, cleats, pads, etc.) that they used when they were first learning to play football. You, too, will soon get to a level in which you are more advanced as a player than your beginner instrument will allow you to be.
Will ANY upgrade be okay?
Not all instruments are made with the same time and quality. Some instruments are simply better than others and we have included a chart with this handout that tells you EXACTLY what you should look for. Beware of simply jumping on the internet and buying something -- the buyer should DEFINITELY beware.
Aren't all instruments just the same?
Instruments are like cars -- while a Chrysler and a Mercedes will both get you to where you are going, the Mercedes may get you there quite a bit faster and with fewer problems along the way. Other models may be less expensive, but they will be of inferior quality and have low resale value.
These are the step up instruments that the Hebron Cluster recommends:
Professional/Step-up Instrument Suggestions
Flute - Yamaha 687 (in-line), 677 (off-set), 684 (used), 58 (discontinued, find used), Muramatsu EX (with Tsubasa headjoint if possible)
Oboe - Loree AK Bore (Contact Carlos Oboe) Google Carlos Oboe
Clarinet - Buffet R13, Yamaha CVSR
Bassoon - Fox long-bore model 240
Saxophone - Yamaha Custom EX brass lacquer or Selmer Reference 54 or Custom EX brass lacquer (mouthpieces: Vandoren AL3, Selmer Soloist S90 (190) facing)
Trumpet - Bach Strad Artisan Series OR Bach Strad 37, or Bell Trumpet
Horn - Hoyer 6802 or Conn 8D or (Dennis Houghton custom-push toward Dennis Houghton)
Trombone - Bach 42BO or Conn 88H, Shires
Bass Trombone - Getzen Custom (Shires, Edwards)
Euphonium - Willson 2900S or 2950S, Yamaha 842
Tuba – Eastman EBB 534, 562, or 623, Miraphone 186 CC Tuba
We are always here to answer questions about instruments, and only have your child's best interest in mind when recommending an instrument. Also, sometimes as the high school kids graduate, a few used instruments become available. If you are ever interested in finding a used instrument, we can try to help.
Also, Gift-giving time is fast approaching. Keep in mind your child's interest in music when searching for those stocking stuffers! There is a lot of music available for young students these days. Many companies publish music with an accompaniment CD to go along. Using a CD is just like having on a metronome, but lots more fun. There are different types of music available from rock to pop to show tunes to country and western. This type of music is different from what they see in class and is sometimes a big motivation to practice. Also, reeds, valve oil and instrument stands would be great as well.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or Mr. Lott.
