Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Looking for  holiday gift ideas for your band student?
Consider the following:

  • Reed players can always boost their reed supply. (generally speaking, grades 4 and 5 use strength 2 ½, grade 6 uses strength 3 and grades 7 and 8 use strength  3 or 3 1/2) Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson if you want some guidance. 
  • reed guard or reed case
  • a music stand for home practice 
  • a collapsible instrument stand. (provides a safe way to put the instrument down when it is not in the case) 
  • padded neck strap for sax and bass clarinet players
  • silk cleaning swab for woodwind players (these last for years- a great investment!) 
  • mouthpiece cushions for sax and clarinet players 
  • CD featuring a musician soloing on your child’s instrument (old school!)
  •  cork grease for clarinet and sax players
  • valve oil for trumpet and baritone players  (something many of our brass players need more of!) 
  • slide grease for trombone players
  • books containing solos for your child to play (be careful to choose an appropriate difficulty level) Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson if you want some guidance. 
  • Small electronic metronome 
  • electronic tuner
  • new drum sticks - so many fun styles available! 
  • stick bag for percussionists 
  • mutes for brass players (straight mute is the most practical to start with, but they are all useful) 
  • upgraded mouthpiece for reed players. Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson of you want some guidance. Good choices for alto sax are: Selmer C star, Vandoren AL3
           Tenor sax: Vandoren TL3, Fobes Debut
           Clarinet: Vandoren B45, Vandoren M13, or Fobes Debut,
           Bass clarinet: Fobes Debut

  • upgraded ligature (Rovner is great brand) 
  • mouthpiece brush for brass players (to clean those mouthpieces!) 
  • spitballs for trumpet players. (fun way to clean the inside) 
  • mini screwdriver set for woodwind players
  • tickets to a concert at the Flynn or local venue
*If  you order a gift from Ellis Music to be delivered to school (free delivery),
let me know and I will hold it for you and NOT give it to your student.  Kim Thompson