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VIERA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DIRECTOR
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Current Eighth Graders
& New Members VHS BAND AND ORCHESTRA BOOSTERS (VBOB)
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Director Recommendations (special thanks to area instructors for helping to make this list!)
Private Instructors and Accompanists coming soon!
Instruments, equipment, and books (scroll down for maintenance or click here to be automatically directed) Always check with the directors before purchasing a new instrument! There are many inferior instruments on the market that have attractive prices up-front. These will generally cost you more in the future. If studying privately, always check with your private instructor before purchasing an instrument.
All students need a
metronome and a tuner (these make a great gift)
Violin:
Instruments—at the advancing level, it is best to go to a quality string store, and give them your price range and test out instruments yourself listening for tone quality. If possible take them home for a couple of days and keep playing them, and shop around, don’t just stick to the first one you try, find something that you like listening to. Strings--Thomastik Dominant, Thomastik Vision—Violin, viola (Standard) Evah Pirazzi—violin (more expensive, but very good) Shoulder rest—Kun Books—Kayser-- 36 studies Op. 20, Wohlfahrt-- 60 studies Op. 45, Flesch—scale system, Kreutzer—42 Studies, Rode—24 Caprices, Barbara Barber “Solos for Young Violinists,” Suzuki Books for Violin
Viola: Instruments—often a brighter sound is preferred when searching for a viola. Recommended are the KCC violas that are sold at Atlantic Strings which are decently priced for the quality. Strings—for advancing players, Thomastik dominants are the best way to go for the price, and also a Jarger “A” which tends to have a brighter sound than the dominant “A.” For really advanced players Evah Pirazzi is recommended with a Larsen “A.” Books —Wohlfahrts 1 and 2, Kreutzer, Bruni, and Campagnoli etudes. Suzuki books for Viola.
Cello:
Strings—Helicore D’Addario End Pin Stop—recommended “the black hole, “which is smaller than normal ones, but sticks better to surfaces. Also XEROX endpin anchor which is a strap is good. It is also good to have a rubber tip on the endpin itself. Books, Literature—Suzuki for cello, Barbara Barber series “Solos for Young Cellists”, Goltermann concerto No. 4, Breval Sonata in C Major, Vivaldi Sonata in E minor, Danse Rustiqe by Squire, Tarantella by Squire, The Swan, Haydn C Major Concerto, Saint-Saens A minor concerto.
Bass: Instruments—Lemur Basses—Sunrise Bass Series, Sunrise Solana, Sunrise lugana, Sunrise Jupiter Strings—Corelli 370 medium great for orchestra Pirastro Obligato—great for orchestra and jazz Books—George Vance
Repeatoure Books 1, 2, and 3, Vade Mecum also by George Vance—for
positions, scales, fingerings, etc., Simendal 30 etudes, Bach and Before,
Flute:
Instrument: Amadeus AF600, AF700, AF800, and AF900, Azumi AZ2000RBSO, AZ3000RBSO, Emerson EF6SBOF, Sonare SF5000, SF6000, and SF7000, Yamaha YFL-361H, YFL-461H Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol. 2, Melodious and Progressive Studies for Flute (Bk 1), Trevor Wye Tone Vol. 1,
Oboe:
Intermediate Instrument: Fox 300 Advanced Instrument: Fox 400, 450, or 800 & Loree oboes Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol. 2, Gekeler Oboe Method, Barrett Oboe Method, Ferling 48 Famous Studies Reeds and other double-reed materials: http://www.forrestsmusic.comWater container (for soaking reeds), Reed case (cigarette- or ribbon-style)
Bassoon:
Intermediate Instrument: Fox Renard 222 Advanced Instrument: Fox Renard 220 or 240 Bocal: Fox CVX 2 (usually comes with above instruments), or Heckel (advanced) Reeds and other double-reed materials: http://www.forrestsmusic.com. Jones reeds are not recommended.Books: Weissenborn Method for Bassoon, Milde Concert Studies, Milde Scales Studies. Beware of fingering charts in beginning band books. Use the Weissenborn fingering chart. Silk-drop Swab, Water container (for soaking reeds), Reed case
Clarinet:
Instrument: Buffet, LeBlanc Mouthpiece: Vandoran B45 Ligature: Rovner Reeds: Vandoren Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol. 2, Rose 32 Etudes for Clarinet
Saxophones:
Instrument: Keilwerth, Yanigasawa, Yamaha, or Selmer Paris saxes Mouthpiece: Selmer C-star Ligature: Rovner Reeds: Vandoren 3, or Hemke 3 or 3.5 Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol., 2, Ferling 48 Famous Studies
Trumpet:
Instrument: Bach Stradivarius 180 Mouthpiece: Bach 3C Books: Concert Studies for Trumpet (Curnow Music/Hal Leonard), Arban’s Famous Method for Trumpet
Horn:
Instrument: Conn 8D or 10D Double Horn, Yamaha 667 Mouthpiece: Farkas Med. Cup, Giardinelli C12, Laskey 75 Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol. 2, Pottag 335 Selected Melodious Progressive and Technical Etudes (Bk 1), Pottag Method for Horn (Book 2), Maxime- Alphonse: (Book 2, 3, 4), Farkas "Art of French Horn," Brophy "Embouchure Building"
Trombone:
Instrument: Bach Stradivarius 42B Mouthpiece: Bach 5, Schilke 51D, Denis Wick 5AL Books: Arban’s Famous Method for Trombone, Rochut’s Melodious Etudes for Trombone (Book 1), Voxman Selected Studies for Trombone
Euphonium:
Intermediate Instrument: Yamaha YEP321 Advanced Instrument: Yamaha YEP642, Besson BE968, Besson 2051 Mouthpiece: Bach 5, Schilke 51D, Denis Wick 5AL Books: Arban’s Famous Method for Trombone, Rochut’s Melodious Etudes for Trombone (Book 1), Voxman Selected Studies for Trombone
Tuba:
Instrument: Tubas by Yamaha, St. Petersburg, Conn, and Miraphone Mouthpiece: Conn Helleberg, Bach 18, Bach 24AW Books: Rubank Advanced Method Vol. 2, Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies for BBb Tuba
Percussion:
Sticks & Mallets: All sticks and mallets have equivalent counterparts made by other companies, such as Innovative Percussion, Malletech, Mike Balter, and Encore. The following are suggestions based on the recommendations of knowledgeable percussionists. Snare: Vic Firth SD1 (General) Timpani: Vic Firth T1 (General), & T3 (Staccato) Xylophone/Bells: Vic Firth M133 (Green) Hard Marimba/Auxiliary: Vic Firth M5 (Black rubber) Soft Marimba/Auxiliary: Vic Firth M3 (Yellow) Vibraphone: Vic Firth M187 (Medium Hard) Drum Set: Vic Firth 7A, Vic Firth Wire Jazz Brush (WB) Stick/Mallet Bag: Vic Firth Basic Stick Bag (BSB) Misc.: Metronome, Black Towel, Pitch Pipe/Tuning Fork, Practice Pad
The total cost, if you purchase the most expensive items, is only around $200. This is significantly less than even an entry-level woodwind or brass instrument.
For a great start, you can purchase a mallet pre-pack. These include sticks and mallets sold with a stick bag at a discounted price. This is the best way to begin your stick/mallet collection.
Books: Gottlieb Masterworks for Mallets, Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, “Pedal to the Kettle" by Kirk J. Gay
All instruments must receive regular maintenance. The basics are provided below. For more detailed information, please consult your private instructor or the Directors.
String Instruments:
Shoulder Rests—Kun collapsible work best Cleaning cloth—purchased on shar, or old t-shirt something soft Mutes—the original tourte is good for orchestra playing. Practice mutes—rubber one is better for bridge, because it is not as heavy. Metal practice mutes are heavier, and mute the sound the most. (These mutes are only used for home practice) Rosin—any can be purchased for violin, viola, and cello, there is a wide variety, try out different ones and see what you prefer. Pops is recommended for Bass. Bass Pickups - Fishman or Underwood Bow Quiver and Case - for Bass Players Dampit—helps regulate humidity, especially in dry conditions Peg Compound—Lubricates sticking pegs Peg Drops—stops pegs from slipping Polish/Cleaner—keeps your violin clean, and can often rid it of rosin buildup or other things.
There are many different types and many different makers, depending on the type of sound you want, and how much you want to pay. Carbon Fiber bows—these bows are very versatile, and can do everything wood bows can do, often for a cheaper price. They can be slightly lighter than average wood bows, but very wonderful. Coda bows are very good. Wood bows—most are pernambuco, the most expensive ones are better than the less, and they are also better than brazil wood bows. Depending again on how much you want to spend, pernambuco is the way to go. Do not buy a fiberglass bow!
Note: When shopping for bows, be sure to test spiccato and ricochet.
Wipe instrument with a soft cloth after every time that you play. Loosen Bow after you play. Bows should be rehaired every 6 months to a year. Strings should be replaced every 6 months to a year. Store instrument at room temperature, avoid extreme heat or cold. Always keep an extra set of strings on hand.
Herb Kuttner-- can inspect privately owned instruments and does excellent reconditioning and repair work. 729-6150 Rick Desgrange 321-242-1021—repair work mostly for cello and bass
Vendors Atlantic Strings— www.atlanticstrings.com Shar Products------www.sharmusic.com Southwest Strings--www.swstrings.com
Woodwinds (General)
• Swab the bore after each playing session. • Periodically oil the keys. • Wipe the keys and body clean with a soft cotton cloth after playing. • All students need a metronome and a tuner
Flute • Periodically check the position of the tuning cork.
Clarinet and Saxes • Rinse the mouthpiece with warm water and avoid mouthpiece brushes. • Always have spare reeds. Rotate them so that you have at least three broken in at a time. • Buy a reed guard and use it. It will pay for itself within a few weeks.
Double Reeds • Soak reeds before playing on them to avoid cracks. New reeds should soak for several minutes. Broken in reeds need only soak for 30 seconds to a minute. Over soaking is bad for a reed! • (Bassoon) Only swab the wing joint and boot joint. Use a silk drop swab. The boot joint should be swabbed first, starting with the wood (big) end. • Learn to make your own reeds or at least to adjust the ones you buy commercially.
Percussion • Avoid damage to heads by using the proper sticks or beaters for each instrument. • Become familiar with proper techniques of changing heads, tuning, and routine maintenance. • Keep instrument clean and dry.
Brass Instruments
General • Run lukewarm water through the instrumentat least once a week and give it a bath at least once a month. Never use hot water. • Wear cotton gloves while playing and wipe off all fingerprints after each use. • Never use brass or other metal polish on brass lacquer finish (shiny gold) instruments. Use a clean cotton cloth and water to wipe instruments clean. On silver-plated instruments, use a non-abrasive silver polish such as International, Twinkle, or Wright's. • Use tuning slide grease on all tuning slides. • Periodically check corks on water keys to make sure that they are sealing properly. • Occasionally vacuum your case to keep sand and dirt from scratching the instrument finish • All students need a metronome and a tuner
Piston-Valve Instruments • Use fresh valve oil as needed. • Be sure fingers remain curved while playing so that the valve action is straight up and down. This will avoid uneven wear on the pistons. • Check felts to make sure that they are not worn or compacted. Replace as needed.
Trombones • Use trombone slide cream such as Super-Slick or Trombotine and a spray bottle of water on slide. Do not use oil. • If trombone has a rotary trigger, use rotary valve oil.
Rotary Valve Instruments • Use rotary valve oil
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