Equipment Recommendations
A student mouthpiece is designed to make it easy to produce a characteristic sound. I recommend that every student start on a very good student mouthpiece: 7C on trumpet and trombone, Yamaha 4C on clarinet and saxophone. Sometimes a woodwind instrument will come with a "no name" mouthpiece...they have no markings and often have uneven rails and tips. These "no name" mouthpieces are difficult to play, take a lot of air, and produce a stuffy sound. They are frustrating mouthpieces for a younger player to control. I suggest picking up a student Yamaha mouthpiece the next time you buy a box of reeds. Your child musician will be relieved at the next band rehearsal!
An advancing student in 7th grade may find it easier to produce a bigger tone and a wider range of dynamics on an upgraded mouthpiece. A new mouthpiece will have a much bigger impact to the sound than a new instrument will (assuming the instrument is in good condition and is a reputable brand). This is why there are so many mouthpiece options out there for each instrument. I simplified things by listing my top choices for the advancing middle school student. These mouthpieces are industry-standard professional level mouthpieces and can last a lifetime.
I or a private lesson teacher can provide you with one of these mouthpieces for you to try. We will guide you in the process of upgrading.
*Prices are approximate
TRUMPET
Bach 5C $50.00
TROMBONE / BARITONE
Bach 6 ½ AL (small shank) $65.00
LARGE BORE TROMBONE / BASS TROMBONE
Bach 5G $108.00
FRENCH HORN
Bach 11 $45
Holton Farkas MC $49.00
TUBA
Bach Tuba/Sousaphone Mouthpiece 24AW $80.00
Conn Helleberg 7B Series Tuba Mouthpiece $71.00
CLARINET (I like Vandoren V12 2.5, 3, and 3.5 on these mouthpieces)
Hite Premiere $22.95
Vandoren M15 (series 13, Profile 88) $104.00 (District band, Concert, Solo, and Contest mouthpiece)
Vandoren M30 (series 13, profile 88) $104.00 (Like the M15 but a little more flexible and takes a softer reed)
ALTO SAXOPHONE (I like Vandoren Java 2.5 and 3 on these mouthpieces)
Hite Premiere $26.95
Meyer 5 Medium or Meyer 6 Medium $104.95 (A characteristic Jazz Sound that also works for concert band)
TENOR SAXOPHONE (I like Vandoren Java 2.5 and 3 on these mouthpieces)
Hite Premiere $31.95
Vandoren V16 T6 medium Ebonite Mouthpiece $134.99 (A characteristic Jazz Sound)
Jody Jazz Hard Rubber 6 $199.99 (popular jazz mouthpiece)
Metal Otto Link "Super Tone Master" 6 (Or the hard rubber Otto Link 6) $215 for the metal
BARITONE SAXOPHONE (I like Vandoren blue box 2.5 and 3 on these mouthpieces)
YAMAHA 5C Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece $40.00
Vandoren V16 Ebonite $265.00 (A characteristic Jazz Sound)
SNARE DRUM (Concert band use)
Vic Firth 5a Classic Drumsticks $9.95
Vic Firth SD1 General Drumsticks $9.95
MARCHING BAND SNARE DRUM (These "indoor" sticks are a little smaller for middle school hands to get used to)
Vic Firth Corpsmaster Signature Snare Drumstick - Tom Aungst Indoor (Green)