Instruments and Supplies for Beginners
Every beginning band student will need to obtain band supplies by the second day of school. In addition, see the instrument-specific supplies and information below. You may purchase the necessary supplies from a local music store or from the band. Please see our band store page for more details.
Supplies for all band students
All students must have the following supplies:
- Band Book: Essential Elements 2000 - Book 1 (for student's instrument)
- Metronome: we recommend pocket-size that will subdivide the rhythms
- Folding Music Stand: these are used on trips and for home practice
- Name tag for instrument case
Instrument-specific information: bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, horn, percussion.
Bassoon information
Bassoons are provided to students by the school. In lieu of purchasing an instrument, we strongly recommend that the students playing a double reed instrument take private lessons. A double reed instrument is extremely intricate. Individual attention to help the students become familiar with the instrument is priceless. Kelly Lane MS offers a quality private lesson program where the students may take lessons during their band class once a week for half of the class period. The lessons are also scheduled before school and after school as time permits. Each lesson is currently $13.00 for approximately 27 minutes. If you decide to pursue this, you will find information about it in the Kelly Lane MS Band Handbook that your student will receive the first day of school. The local music stores also offer private lessons. You can call them for further information.
Bassoon supplies
All beginning bassoon students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Two 'Jones' brand reeds -size 'medium soft'
- 3-reed reed guard
- Cleaning Swab: silk swab
- Cork Grease
Reminder: All supplies can be purchased from the band. Please see our store page for more details.
Clarinet information
Recommended clarinet brands and model numbers (in order of preference)
- Buffet E-11 (with nickel keys)
- Yamaha YCL 450N
- Selmer SE CL 201
NOTE: we recommend a wood clarinet, not plastic.
Clarinet supplies
All beginning clarinet students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Mouthpiece: we recommend the Vandoren 5RV Lyre B, not the stock mouthpiece that comes with your instrument, and a Bonade inverted td and mouthpiece cap
- Cleaning swab: silk or chamois preferred, not felt or heavy cloth
- Mouthpiece "stuff-it" (fuzzy)
- Cork Grease
- 4-reed reed guard
- Box of Mitchell Lurie clarinet reeds - strength 3 (or Vandoren 2 1/2)
Flute information
Recommended flute brands and model numbers (in order of preference)
- Yamaha YFL361
- Sonare 5000 series
- Emerson EF6
NOTE: an open-hole flute is highly recommended.
Flute supplies
All beginning flute students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Cleaning cloth: a small cleaning cloth for swabbing out the inside of the flute and wiping off finger prints
- Tuning rod: this item should come with the purchase of the instrument (wooden recommended)
Oboe information
Oboes are provided to students by the school. In lieu of purchasing an instrument, we strongly recommend that the students playing a double reed instrument take private lessons. A double reed instrument is extremely intricate. Individual attention to help the students become familiar with the instrument is priceless. Kelly Lane MS offers a quality private lesson program where the students may take lessons during their band class once a week for half of the class period. The lessons are also scheduled before school and after school as time permits. Each lesson is currently $13.00 for approximately 27 minutes. If you decide to pursue this, you will find information about it in the Kelly Lane MS Band Handbook that your student will receive the first day of school. The local music stores also offer private lessons. You can call them for further information.
Oboe supplies
- Two Jones brand reeds, size 'medium soft'
- 3-reed reed guard
- Cleaning Swab: silk swab
- Cork Grease
Saxophone information
Recommended brands and model numbers (in order of preference)
- Yamaha YAS 23
- Unison 7002L
- Selmer SE AS 300
Saxophone supplies
All beginning saxophone students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Must have a Selmer C* mouthpiece with Selmer ligature and mouthpiece cap (Please: NO SUBSTITUTES!)
- Neck Strap (should come with the purchase of the instrument)
- 4-reed reed guard
- Cleaning swab: silk swab (will work in neck and body--felt will not)
- Mouthpiece fuzzy
- Cork Grease
- 1 box of Vandoren 2½ strength reeds (or Hemke 3 strength reeds)
Trumpet information
Recommended brands and model numbers (in order of preference):
- Yamaha YTR 2335S
- Bach TR 300 HS (model numbers are changing; ask for the equivalent)
- Getzen 490
NOTE: Trumpet must have a 3rd valve slide with ring or trigger
Trumpet supplies
All beginning trumpet students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Must have a Bach 7C mouthpiece
- "Al Cass" brand valve oil
- Tuning Slide Grease ('Selmer' brand recommended)
- Polishing Cloth
- Mouthpiece Brush
Trombone information
Recommended brands and model numbers in order of preference (F-Attachment highly recommended):
F-Attachment Trombone
- Yamaha YSL 446 G
- Yamaha YSL 448 G
- Getzen 725
Tenor Trombone
- Yamaha YSL 354
- Bach TB 300
- Getzen 451
Trombone supplies
All beginning trombone students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Must have a Bach 6-½ AL mouthpiece
- Tuning slide grease ('Selmer' brand recommended)
- Polishing cloth
- Al Cass brand valve oil
- Mouthpiece Brush
- Slide-O-Mix slide treatment
- Spray Bottle
Tuba information
Tubas are provided to students by the school. In lieu of purchasing an instrument, we strongly recommend that the students playing tuba take private lessons. Individual attention to help the students become familiar with the instrument is priceless. Kelly Lane MS offers a quality private lesson program where the students may take lessons during their band class once a week for half of the class period. The lessons are also scheduled before school and after school as time permits. Each lesson is currently $13.00 for approximately 27 minutes. If you decide to pursue this, you will find information about it in the Kelly Lane MS Band Handbook that your student will receive the first day of school. The local music stores also offer private lessons. You can call them for further information.
Tuba supplies
All beginning tuba students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Must have a Bach 24AW mouthpiece
- Al Cass brand valve oil
- Hetman brand rotor oil
- Accessory pouch
- Tuning Slide Grease (Selmer brand recommended)
- Polishing Cloth
- Rag for wiping off excess oil and grease
- Mouthpiece Brush
Horn information
Horns are provided to students by the school. In lieu of purchasing an instrument, we strongly recommend that the students playing horn take private lessons. Individual attention to help the students become familiar with the instrument is priceless. Kelly Lane MS offers a quality private lesson program where the students may take lessons during their band class once a week for half of the class period. The lessons are also scheduled before school and after school as time permits. Each lesson is currently $13.00 for approximately 27 minutes. If you decide to pursue this, you will find information about it in the Kelly Lane MS Band Handbook that your student will receive the first day of school. The local music stores also offer private lessons. You can call them for further information.
Horn supplies
All beginning horn students will need to have the following supplies by the second day of school:
- Must have a Holton MDC or Bach 7 mouthpiece
- Al Cass brand valve oil
- Superslick brand rotor oil
- Accessory pouch
- Tuning Slide Grease (Selmer brand recommended)
- Polishing Cloth
- Rag for wiping off excess oil and grease
- Mouthpiece Brush
Percussion information
All beginning percussion students will be REQUIRED to obtain the following instruments and supplies:
SNARE DRUM/BELL KIT - With snare drum, snare drum stand, black rubber and/or plastic practice pad, bell set, bell stand, and 'airline luggage' type rolling case with name tag.
This kit will be divided: The snare drum, stand, and case will be kept at school; the bells & practice pad will be kept at home. The practice pad is for snare drum rehearsal, the bell set for mallet practice. We will use the keyboard instruments at school for in class instruction. Ludwig 2482R, Pearl PL800C, Rogers RPK1002, Vic Firth V7806, or Yamaha SCK-300 recommended.
PORTABLE FOLDING MUSIC STAND - this will be used for home practice and trips.
METHOD BOOKS - 'A Fresh Approach to Snare Drum' by Mark Wessles (Accompaniment CDs not recommended), b) 'A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion' by Mark Wessles
METRONOME/TUNER - combination digital metronome with subdivision capabilities and pitch generator (for timpani tuning). Korg TM-40, Sabine MT9000, or Seiko DM-70 recommended.
STICK BAG - very large, well padded stick bag with name tag.
STICKS AND MALLETS - Each student must obtain one pair of EACH of the following:
- Vic Firth TG-15 “Tom Gauger” or Cooperman #1 “Graham C. Johns” Snare drum sticks.
- Malletech BB34 or Balter #91 Medium-hard poly mallets w/ rattan handles
- TWO PAIR: Encore 42AYB Medium-hard marimba mallets w/ birch (wood) handles or Malletech DS-18 vibraphone mallets w/ rattan handles.
Beginning percussion students are encouraged to get a head start over the summer months with Pflugerville I.S.D. percussion instructor, Tim Jyring. Due to the abundance of material, we have found students achieve a higher level of success through this extension of the program. Summer sessions are generally once per week. Cost is $15.00 per half hour. Locations to be determined at a later date. If you are interested, please contact percussion coordinator Tim Jyring at (512) 903-7259 or jyringcycling@suddenlink.net.