Buying/Renting an Instrument

You can buy or rent instruments at several local music stores or online.  It is important to get a reputable brand from a reputable instrument dealer to insure your student the most success on the instrument and the least amount of time sending the instrument to the repair shop.  It is almost ALWAYS better to buy a quality used instrument or rent one then to buy a brand new instrument “cheap”.  

Locally we have Alison’s World of Music on Airline Highway and Zeagler’s Music on Florida Blvd.  If you decide to purchase, especially if you prefer to shop online, please contact Ms. Codina for specific instrument/website recommendations. 

Full Instrument Supply List is posted on our website.

**Reminder** French Horn, Baritone, and Tuba are school provided instruments, all you need to purchase is the mouthpiece!  The specific type is on the Instrument Supply List. 

Rentals

• Starting at $21 +tax per month at Alison's or Zeagler's​
• Should your child be unhappy with the instrument selection, most rental programs allow you to change the instrument out
• Ask about insurance options

Purchasing

• You can purchase a quality basic student instrument any where from $300 to $800 depending on the type of instrument and brand.  I recommend you go to the music store to buy or www.wwbw.com.  When buying, send a Remind text message or e-mail to Ms. Codina at katie.codina@apsb.org to confirm you are buying the correct thing.  AVOID Amazon!

​Brands to look for:  

• Flute - Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Pearl, Haynes, Muramatsu, Armstrong
• Clarinet - Buffet, Yamaha, LeBlanc, Selmer, Vito, Bundy
• Alto Saxophone - Selmer, Yamaha, Conn, Keilwerth
• Trumpet - Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, King, Conn
• Trombone - Bach, Yamaha, Conn, Getzen, Jupiter

Brands/Features to AVOID (These instruments tend to be so cheaply made they often do not play easily, do not play in tune with the band, and break constantly.  Students become very frustrated and are less likely to be successful!): 

• ANY Colors other than silver
• “BRAND NEW” for under $300
• Etude, Allora, Mendeni, Glory, Lazzaro, among so many others!  

Special Note for Clarinet and Saxophone Players:
Remember to pick up quality reeds in the "blue" box!  Get only one box of Vandoren 2 (we will move out of this size very quickly) and a few boxes of Vandoren 2.5's and that should last you the year!  Please read this article to find out more about reed care.

Don't forget valve oil or necessary cleaning supplies!  Music stands are also highly recommended for at home practice.

The following websites have informative videos about assembly and playing your first note:

www.beginningbandbootcamp.com 
www.basicband.info 

Have fun and remember to contact Ms. Codina when in doubt!