What Comes With a Beginner Band Instrument?

Flute: the easiest to supply

Bill's Music lists a case, polishing cloth, polishing gauze and cleaning rod with Yamaha's YFL-222. A flute has no reed, no cork joints and no valves, so it needs no grease or oil. The Instrument Place's care guide warns against putting any lubricant on flute joints.

Ours: the Levante LV-FL5111 ($529.99, in stock) comes with a soft case with straps, a cleaning swab, a cloth and gloves, so the day-one care kit is already in the box. It's a silver-plated nickel silver flute with closed holes, an offset G and a split E mechanism, the features most beginner lists describe. Its sister model, the Stagg WS-FL111, has the same key features with an ABS (molded plastic) case, swab, cloth and gloves. More in our flute guide.

Clarinet: reeds are the running cost

Just Flutes lists eight things with Yamaha's YCL-255S: mouthpiece, ligature, cap, a reed, polishing cloth, pull-through swab, cork grease and case. That's the classic full kit, and a good list to check any clarinet against.

One reed won't last the first month; beginners chip and crack them, and that's normal. Valley Central asks for strength 2½ Rico or Vandoren reeds. Cork grease is a lip-balm-like tube for the cork rings on each joint, so the pieces slide together without forcing; Music & Arts sells Yamaha's for $4.49. A swab is a cloth on a weighted string pulled through after playing; Pecknel Music sells a Hodge silk clarinet swab for $15.99.

Ours: the Stagg WS-CL210S ($266.99, in stock) comes with a mouthpiece with ligature and cap, a clarinet swab, a reed guard with one reed, and a soft case with straps. It's a Boehm-system clarinet (the standard key system every school method teaches) with a brushed ABS body in a wood look, 17 solid-metal nickel-plated keys, 6 rings and an adjustable thumb rest. The one thing its listing doesn't mention is cork grease, so add a tube. Two sister models, the Levante LV-CL4100 and the lighter Stagg WS-CL110, add 2 reeds and cork grease to the same kit.

To round out the WS-CL210S, our Rico clarinet reeds, strength 2.5, 3-pack ($4.95) and Lauren cork grease ($4.95, only 1 left) cover the basics for about $10. Our Vandoren box of 10Sold out is out for now; a couple of Rico 3-packs do the same job. A clarinet stand ($14.95, 1 left) keeps it off the floor between practice sessions, and if the soft case rides a crowded school bus, the MBT clarinet hard case ($91.99) adds extra protection.

Trumpet: oil and grease, nothing to replace weekly

Thomann lists just a mouthpiece and a gig bag with Yamaha's YTR-2330, so plan on buying oil whichever trumpet you choose. Valve oil goes on the three pistons (the valves the fingers press) so they move freely. Music & Arts sells Blue Juice and Al Cass valve oils for $6.99 each. Tuning slide grease keeps the U-shaped slides from seizing; Yamaha's is $3.99 there. Valley Central adds a mouthpiece brush and a cleaning cloth.

Ours: the Stagg LV-TR5205 ($343.99, in stock) comes with a silver-plated 7C mouthpiece, the standard beginner size, and a soft case with straps. It has stainless steel valves, a gold brass leadpipe, a thumb saddle on the first slide, a thumb ring on the third slide and two water keys, and its listing states a 2-year warranty. The Stagg WS-TR115 comes with a 7C mouthpiece and an ABS case, and the Levante LV-TR4205 with a soft case. To cover the care side, add our Yamaha trumpet care kit ($14.95, in stock); its listing doesn't spell out the contents, so check it for valve oil when it arrives.

Some band directors are happy for a beginner to play cornet, a slightly more compact cousin in the same key. If yours is, the Stagg WS-CR215 cornet ($288.99, in stock) comes with a silver-plated mouthpiece and a soft case with backpack straps, and Stagg lists a 2-year warranty on it. Ask first. Our Stagg WS-TR245S pocket trumpet is a fun travel and practice horn, but it isn't meant for band class.

Alto sax: the longest shopping list

Thomann lists a case with backpack straps, a 4C mouthpiece, a saxophone strap and cork grease with Yamaha's YAS-280. The neck strap matters most: a sax hangs from it, and the child can't play without one. Schmitt Music sells a Protec padded neck strap for $10.99 and a Protec harness (it loops over both shoulders, easier on a small neck) for $29.99.

Music & Arts sells a box of 10 Rico alto sax reeds for $30.99 and a Hodge silk alto sax swab for $25.99. Valley Central asks for strength 2½ reeds and "recommends" a padded neck strap.

Ours: the Levante LV-AS4105 ($959.99, in stock) comes with a soft case and a mouthpiece with reed, ligature and cap, so it's ready to play the moment a strap goes on. It has a brass body and neck, a hand-engraved brass bell, a high F# key, an adjustable thumb rest, and leather pads with metal resonators; Levante describes its sound as warm and brilliant, with a balanced tone across all registers. Its listing doesn't mention a neck strap, so budget for one. Want sturdier protection for the bus ride? The Stagg ABS molded alto sax case ($132.99, in stock) is an easy upgrade. Our Rico alto reeds 3-packSold out is out for now; any strength 2 to 2.5 alto reed works. More in our alto sax guide.

Trombone: slide cream and a water bottle

S.M. Hanson Music lists a case and a 48 mouthpiece with Yamaha's YSL-354. The hand slide (the long part the arm pushes out) needs its own lubricant. Valley Central asks for Slide-O-Mix and a water spray bottle; a mist of water keeps the slide gliding. Music & Arts sells Slide-O-Mix for $9.49, Trombotine for $7.99 and Superslick slide oil for $3.99.

Ours: the Stagg WS-TB225 ($374.99, in stock) is a B-flat tenor slide trombone with a small 0.499" bore, the size made for young players, an 8.07" bell and chrome-plated inner slides for a smooth glide. It comes in an ABS (hard molded) case, and Stagg lists a 2-year warranty on it. Its listing doesn't mention the mouthpiece, so open the case and check for it the day it arrives. Add any of the slide creams above and a small spray bottle, and it's ready for band.