Purchasing an InstrumentJust like any product, there are good musical instruments and others that might not be worth the investment. If you are in the market for a new or used instrument, please consult this list (and look, you have LOTS of options!). Please email a band director if you find an instrument that is not on this list, as there may be other good instruments out there. With new instruments, you usually get what you pay for. With used instruments, you can sometimes find a name brand instrument as cheap as the ‘generic’ equivalent. But unlike the grocery store, ‘generic’ musical instruments very seldom measure up to the name brand equivalent. This is for many reasons:
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Percussion Equipment
Hello Percussion parents!
I am so excited that your child has decided to play percussion this year and hopefully for many years to come. There are a few supplies that are special for percussionists that they will need for this and future years. If you already have these supplies- then please disregard this letter!
The most important supply that they need is a stick bag. This bag needs to be clearly labeled with their name. You can use a string bag dedicated exclusively to percussion sticks, or, ideally, a bag like this would be preferable:
https://www.amazon.com/Meinl-Percussion-MSB-1-Standard-External/dp/B0007ZEY8W/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319462&sr=1-2&keywords=percussion+stick+bag
They will also need sticks. One set of sticks should be these ones:
Vic Firth SD-1 snare sticks $8.50 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-SD1-General/dp/B0002F4TKA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319274&sr=1-1&keywords=vic+firth+sd1
And mallets- for $16.39 available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-Custom-Keyboard/dp/B0002F77XQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319913&sr=1-1&keywords=hard+rubber+mallets+vic+firth
The order of importance is stick bag, snare sticks, mallets. If it starts getting expensive for you, please go in that order. I will do my best to supply what is needed.
If you are able to purchase all of them, please consider getting this stick bag that is already loaded with sticks, for $66.99:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Intermediate-Education-Pack/dp/B0002F51BG/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505320045&sr=1-13&keywords=vic+firth+stick+bag
In addition to sticks, percussionists will need a DRUM PAD to practice with. The drum pad is $16.99 and available here: https://www.amazon.com/Evans-2-Sided-Practice-Pad-Inch/dp/B000FTFLRS/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505320140&sr=1-1&keywords=drum+pad+6+inch+evans
Bell kits should be either rented from Meridian winds or supplied by the school.
If you rent a bell and snare kit from Meridian Winds, everything is included except for a stick bag.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much!
Caroline Fitzgerald and Josiah Keith
I am so excited that your child has decided to play percussion this year and hopefully for many years to come. There are a few supplies that are special for percussionists that they will need for this and future years. If you already have these supplies- then please disregard this letter!
The most important supply that they need is a stick bag. This bag needs to be clearly labeled with their name. You can use a string bag dedicated exclusively to percussion sticks, or, ideally, a bag like this would be preferable:
https://www.amazon.com/Meinl-Percussion-MSB-1-Standard-External/dp/B0007ZEY8W/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319462&sr=1-2&keywords=percussion+stick+bag
They will also need sticks. One set of sticks should be these ones:
Vic Firth SD-1 snare sticks $8.50 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-SD1-General/dp/B0002F4TKA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319274&sr=1-1&keywords=vic+firth+sd1
And mallets- for $16.39 available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-Custom-Keyboard/dp/B0002F77XQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505319913&sr=1-1&keywords=hard+rubber+mallets+vic+firth
The order of importance is stick bag, snare sticks, mallets. If it starts getting expensive for you, please go in that order. I will do my best to supply what is needed.
If you are able to purchase all of them, please consider getting this stick bag that is already loaded with sticks, for $66.99:
https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Intermediate-Education-Pack/dp/B0002F51BG/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505320045&sr=1-13&keywords=vic+firth+stick+bag
In addition to sticks, percussionists will need a DRUM PAD to practice with. The drum pad is $16.99 and available here: https://www.amazon.com/Evans-2-Sided-Practice-Pad-Inch/dp/B000FTFLRS/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1505320140&sr=1-1&keywords=drum+pad+6+inch+evans
Bell kits should be either rented from Meridian winds or supplied by the school.
If you rent a bell and snare kit from Meridian Winds, everything is included except for a stick bag.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much!
Caroline Fitzgerald and Josiah Keith