Flute
About the Flute
The flute is the highest member of the woodwind family. The initial stages of learning the flute can be quite challenging compared to other instruments however once this hurdle is overcome it is a very enjoyable instrument. Flautists often play the melody line in concert bands.
Maintenance
You'll need a cleaning rod & cloth, as well as a polishing cloth to keep your flute hygienic and well looked after.
Use your cleaning rod and cloth to clean the inside of your flute after each use.
Hire or Purchase
You can find pre-owned instruments on marketplace and through retailers. Please be careful when buying pre-owned and check your tutor's opinion before you purchase. If you are looking to purchase a flute we recommend either a Yamaha, Jupiter or Pearl Student models.
We recommend the following places for instrument hire and purchases:
Mall Music: www.mallmusic.com.au
Macquarie Centre: 02 9870 2000
Warringah Mall: 02 9905 6966
Turramurra Music: www.turramusic.com.au
02 9449 8487
Mona Vale Music: www.monavalemusic.com
02 9986 0589
Musicorp: www.musicorp.com.au/band-orchestral
Extra Costs
Your flute will need to be serviced by a qualified technician every 1-2 years.
Clarinet
About the Clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. The clarinet is much needed in a concert band and most bands have many more clarinets than other instruments. It is relatively easy to get started on and enjoys some great melodic parts. You need reeds to play the clarinet.
Maintenance
Use the pull through cleaner after every use.
Wash the pull through cleaner periodically in the washing machine.
Change Reeds regularly and always keep them dry.
Hire or Purchase
We recommend the following places for instrument hire and purchases:
Mall Music: www.mallmusic.com.au
Macquarie Centre: 02 9870 2000
Warringah Mall: 02 9905 6966
Turramurra Music: www.turramusic.com.au
02 9449 8487
Mona Vale Music: www.monavalemusic.com
02 9986 0589
Musicorp: www.musicorp.com.au/band-orchestral
If you are looking to purchase a clarinet we recommend either a Yamaha, or Jupiter student model.
You can find pre-owned instruments on marketplace and through retailers. Please be careful when buying pre-owned and check your tutor's opinion before you purchase.
Extra Costs
Pull through cleaner – approx. $15. (wash it regularly)
Reeds - a 3 pack costs approx.$15
Cork grease - approx. $5 (will last around 1 year)
Your clarinet will need to be serviced by a qualified technician every 1-2 years.
Reeds
While it can vary, beginner students often go through a few reeds per month at the start. This slows down as they progress.
Reeds come in different sizes. Beginners usually play with a size 1.5 reed for the first 6 months of playing.
Trumpet
About the Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest instrument in the brass family. It provides a wonderfully strong and vibrant melody line in many concert band ensembles.
Maintenance
Clean your mouthpiece regularly with some warm soapy water.
Oil your valves regularly.
Hire or Purchase
We recommend the following places for instrument hire and purchases:
Mall Music: www.mallmusic.com.au
Macquarie Centre: 02 9870 2000
Warringah Mall: 02 9905 6966
Turramurra Music: www.turramusic.com.au
02 9449 8487
Mona Vale Music: www.monavalemusic.com
02 9986 0589
Musicorp: www.musicorp.com.au/band-orchestral
If you are looking to purchase a trumpet we recommend either a Yamaha, or Jupiter student model.
You can find pre-owned instruments on marketplace and through retailers. Please be careful when buying pre-owned and check your tutor's opinion before you purchase.
Extra Costs
Valve oil approx. $10
Your trumpet will need to be serviced by a qualified technician every 1-2 years.
Saxophone
About the Saxophone
The alto saxophone is a relatively easy instrument to progress quickly on. It is played in both concert bands and jazz bands. It is also a woodwind instrument. You need reeds to play the saxophone.
Maintenance
Use the pull through cleaner after every use.
Wash the pull through cleaner periodically in the washing machine.
Change Reeds regularly and always keep them dry.
Hire or Purchase
We recommend the following places for instrument hire and purchases:
Mall Music: www.mallmusic.com.au
Macquarie Centre: 02 9870 2000
Warringah Mall: 02 9905 6966
Turramurra Music: www.turramusic.com.au
02 9449 8487
Mona Vale Music: www.monavalemusic.com
02 9986 0589
Musicorp: www.musicorp.com.au/band-orchestral
If you are looking to purchase a saxophone we recommend either a Yamaha, or Jupiter student model.
You can find pre-owned instruments on marketplace and through retailers. Please be careful when buying pre-owned and check your tutor's opinion before you purchase.
Extra Costs
Pull through cleaner – approx. $15 (wash it regularly)
Reeds- a 3 pack costs approx.$12
Cork grease- approx. $5 (will last around 1 year)
Your saxophone will need to be serviced by a qualified technician every 1-2 years.
Reeds
While it can vary, beginner students often go through a few reeds per month at the start. This slows down as they progress.
Reeds come in different sizes. Beginners usually play with size 1.5 for the first 6 months of playing.
Percussion
About Percussion
Percussionists learn to play many instruments including;
Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Timpani, Cymbals, Auxiliary Percussion (Triangle, Tambourine etc) and Drum Kit. Good Percussionists also learn Mallet Percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel etc)
There is only one drum kit used during rehearsals and performances at school. Students will take it turns on the drum kit, and will have other percussion instruments to play at other times.
Instrument Requirements
At the start you can use a drum practice pad to practise however eventually you will need to have your own drum kit at home for practise. Both Digital and Acoustic drum kits are good options for beginners, and should be considered according to your needs.
You will use the school drum kit and percussion equipment during rehearsals and performances.
Students must purchase a MusicLinks mallet pack. This pack includes a practise pad too: https://www.optimumpercussion.com.au/index.php/optimum-mus-musiclinks-student-malletpack.html
Students must bring their own mallets to every rehearsal, lesson and performance
Bass Guitar
About Bass Guitar
Bass Guitar is quite an easy instrument to learn and provides a great support to the bass line of the ensemble. There is a limit on the number of bass guitars in a concert band as they need to be plugged into an amplifier.
Instrument Requirements
You need to have your own bass guitar and amplifier to practise at home.
You can purchase bass guitar starter kits from most music stores which include the instrument, lead and amp.
You can use the school amplifier during rehearsals and performances, but you'll need to bring your own bass guitar and your own lead to plug into the amp.
Bass Guitars are available in 1/2 or 3/4 sizes, which can suit smaller children.
All bass guitar players must have an electronic tuner for their instrument.
Trombone
About the Trombone
Trombone is a wonderful instrument to learn. It provides a strong bass line for the band and is lots of fun.
Maintenance
Clean your trombone and mouthpiece regularly to keep them hygienically clean.
Hire or Purchase
We recommend the following places for instrument hire and purchases:
Mall Music: www.mallmusic.com.au
Macquarie Centre: 02 9870 2000
Warringah Mall: 02 9905 6966
Turramurra Music: www.turramusic.com.au
02 9449 8487
Mona Vale Music: www.monavalemusic.com
02 9986 0589
Musicorp: www.musicorp.com.au/band-orchestral
If you are looking to purchase a trombone we recommend either a Yamaha, or Jupiter student model.
You can find pre-owned instruments on marketplace and through retailers. Please be careful when buying pre-owned and check your tutor's opinion before you purchase.
Extra Costs
Slide cream approx. $10
Your trombone will need to be serviced by a qualified technician every 1-2 years.
