by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 08/15/2017 at 23:58
by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 08/15/2017 at 23:58
Tags: musiclopnik
STARS: 0
...or anyone else who has an opinion. I’m looking for a baritone for my nephew. He’s starting 6th grade, and this is his second year in band. So, he’s into it enough that he deserves a decent student horn to bring him up to high school, but not so far along that I can afford a shiny new Yamaha or King. I can find used Yamaha, King, or Holton horns that are pretty beat up but still (supposedly) have good valves for under $1,000 on Ebay.
I can also find some brands I don’t know much about, like Hawk or Mendini. These are marketed as beginner student horns, and that’s not bad in and of itself. However, a horn with poor tone quality or problems hitting the low register is a false economy because this is the time for the kid to train his ear as well as his technique.
So, are there some lesser brands that might still be good if I buy him a decent Bach mouthpiece to go with it? Or, do I pony up for a better horn with a few dents and pay some more?
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
08/16/2017 at 00:03, STARS: 1
I played trombone is highschool, but that don’t mattter. How are the whiskey banana bread going?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 00:06, STARS: 0
I played trombone, too. My other nephew is now playing my old marching horn.
The bread’s in the oven. No whiskey tonight, since my daughter gets it for breakfast. I really will try that though.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
08/16/2017 at 00:10, STARS: 1
It’s never too late for whiskey, it calm her nerves.
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
08/16/2017 at 00:13, STARS: 0
I’d go for a used Yamaha or other reputable brand. I played some pretty beat-to-hell school owned Yamaha baritones in my high school/middle school days and they were great. Learning on a cheap instrument can be very discouraging for kids, though I don’t have as much experience with cheap baritones as I do with cheap trumpets.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 00:21, STARS: 4
Stay away from off brands. I tried a couple of off-brand trumpets and they were dreadful. Yamaha is making the most consistent horns on the market today. I just bought two new Yamaha trumpets, and I’ve been a Bach guy for 40 years.
I don’t know all that much about these instruments, but my first question is, baritone or euphonium? They are different animals, though they both play in the same range. If your nephew makes a go of it in high school, or beyond, he will be playing euphonium, not baritone. Interestingly, my son, also a rising 6th grader, is starting out on euphonium this fall (he’s had lessons over the summer). He got a decent Yamaha student horn on loan from the school. It’s got a few dings, but it’s in pretty good shape.
A couple of months ago, I went looking for a trumpet for my rising high school freshman. I could find a used pro trumpet (Bach, Yamaha) for about the same amount of money as a brand new student horn. In the end, I bought something for myself and gave him my old horn to play, but I think he would have been far better off with a good used pro horn than a new student horn. I played a new Yamaha student trumpet, and it was really quite good. But most other student horns, Bach included, cut corners in construction and tolerances that make the instruments inconsistent. Your second paragraph tells me you understand this point completely.
Trouble is, it can hard to find good advice on this sort of thing unless you know somebody. The music stores may try to push you into some sort of rent-to-own deal, or try to steer you to an expensive instrument that is beyond your needs (some can feel like car salesman who take advantage of people who don’t know what they’re buying). Retail prices are atrocious and, just like cars, musical instruments depreciate rapidly. Also, band directors are not always the best resource, since they don’t necessarily specialize in one instrument, and I have seen more than one occasion where well-meaning directors have made some very poor equipment choices.
Let me reach out to my son’s euphonium teacher. He’s actually a bass trombonist, but he will know brands etc. and I trust his advice. I’ve got to contact him anyway to set up a lesson for my son. And the guy who sold my my new trumpets is a sales rep at a local music store and plays trombone as well. He and I went to school together.
In the meantime, take a look at this place:
They used to have the best prices around on new and used, but I haven’t shopped there in a long time. They also have a scratch and dent section, or at least they used to. I’ll hook back up with you tomorrow. If you’d like, you are welcome to contact me at my screen name at gee male.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 00:21, STARS: 3
I played cornet/trumpet back in 6th-HS. That was approximately 1 million years ago, so I don’t have specific recommendations, but some vague generalities.
I’d definitely go with a good mouthpiece, that’s pretty important. On the horn itself, I’m not sure what the price difference is between a high quality used horn and a lower end new horn, but I don’t think I’d be willing to pay much of a premium at this age for the higher end horn.
No clue on how to shop used, though.
One thing to think about (which you may not want to) is what you could sell it for if he loses interest - guessing the higher end horn will hold its value better, so maybe it’s a good choice, really.
Back when I was playing, high school was the time to spend some $$ on a nice new trumpet - that’s when I unloaded the beginner’s coronet for a good quality trumpet. That’s also when marching band started, so I think the director preferred newer, shinier instruments at that point, too.
Finally, ignore all of this and do whatever ttyymmnn says.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
But if he uses it all, she won’t have any for breakfast!
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 1
One thing to think about (which you may not want to) is what you could sell it for if he loses interest - guessing the higher end horn will hold its value better, so maybe it’s a good choice, really.
Absolutely. Instruments depreciate about as fast as cars, and pro horns are always easier to unload than student horns.
"TylerLinner" (tylerlinner1)
08/16/2017 at 00:31, STARS: 2
I started around 5th or 6th grade with a pile of garbage cornet, and after a couple years my parents bought me a Strad. It was awesome, but then I lost interest and was forced to play through the end of high school. Moral: don’t invest too much in a 6th grader’s interests.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
08/16/2017 at 00:35, STARS: 3
It’s not brass but, same idea......... right?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 00:35, STARS: 0
Whatever happened to that Bach?
"TylerLinner" (tylerlinner1)
08/16/2017 at 00:37, STARS: 1
The only musical instrument I have now is a reproduction Civil War bugle.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
08/16/2017 at 00:44, STARS: 1
Jupiter is an okay mid-grade brand. Just get a durable brand and you’ll be fine. Most of the sound comes from the mouthpiece. I went two years in marching band with a beginner trumpet and a Bach Megatone mouthpiece.
"TrackDayIdiot" (trackdayidiot)
08/16/2017 at 00:59, STARS: 1
My first two years of baritone (best brass instrument, tromboners can suck it) I had a Conn. They are decent enough for a young player. Since my dad was the conductor, he bought the school a super expensive Besson Bb Prestige that I played from 8th-11th grade. Totally overkill for a student but pretty much the best baritone on the market at the time and I assume that hasn’t changed. Just get him a Conn or Holton student model.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
08/16/2017 at 07:29, STARS: 0
TROMBONE NATION
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/16/2017 at 08:02, STARS: 2
Middle school band director here.
Ttyymmnn hit most of the salient points, but I will add a couple more. The primary issue with those cheap Chinese-sweatshop instruments is their durability. They damage easily, and are difficult to repair. It is common for legit instrument dealers to refuse to even try and repair them (especially the woodwinds) because getting replacement parts for these brands is near impossible. The metal often used is so malleable that students render the instruments unplayable just by...uh...playing them.
I’ve had two trombonists whose parents got them Chinese off-brand peashooters. Within a year, both instruments’ tuning slides had stretched in diameter enough that there wasn’t any friction to hold the slide in place.
As a director, I am surprised that the program is not providing a baritone or euphonium for your kiddo. As they tend to be prohibitively expensive as far as monthly rental goes, my own program provides tubas, baritones, F horns, bari saxes, bass clarinets, and bassoons. Have you inquired of the band director regarding district-provided baritones?
"C62030" (c62030)
08/16/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 1
I can say that a used Yamaha will probably serve you well, depending on its age. When I started band in 5th grade, my parents ponied up for a Yamaha clarinet that I ended up using for about eight years, and it still sounded fresh (and better than any of the others in the band) at the end. I also had a dinky little Yamaha keyboard (the plasticky, fart-noises kind) that lasted over 10 years and still worked beautifully, despite my...forceful playing style. Yamaha builds shit to last.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
08/16/2017 at 10:28, STARS: 1
First, get him a Euphonium, not a Baritone. It will last his entire high school career. Large shank mouth pieces are cheaper, more plentiful and sound better. I played Tenor and Bass Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba in high school and college. Playing Euph let me hit a high B flat on Tuba with relative ease and allowed me to take the options high on Haddad’s Suite for Tuba.
My advice is to avoid the off brand horns. I bought an off brand Trombone and it was fairly terrible. IIRC Jupiter had some reasonably priced horns.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:00, STARS: 0
Thanks, Man. I knew you’d be helpful.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 12:00, STARS: 1
My pleasure. I’ll be making calls later today, and I’ll let you know what I find out.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1
Finally, ignore all of this and do whatever ttyymmnn says.
Haha! But you’re pretty much on with everything you said, except I kept my starter horn for marching once I got a good concert horn.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
Pretty much, but then new or used?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
Haha, that’s the pitfall we all try to dance around.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 0
He’s renting a Jupiter right now, and that’s fine, but renting or rent to own is a bad place to put your money. If I found a Jupiter in decent shape for okay money, I’d be happy with that. And yes, the mouthpiece is critical, no matter what horn you buy.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
Well this trombonist can agree with most of what you said.
"Spoon II" (Spoon_II)
08/16/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 1
I’d go for a better, beat up horn. Even if the thing is dinged and dull, it’ll probably still produce a nice sound. If you can still toss in the Bach mouthpiece all the better. Fun fact: some people strip the metallic shine from the instruments because it apparently allows for a more pleasant tone. So if you see one that’s all dull, it might still be okay.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
Thanks for chiming in! As a trombonist, I feel everything you say about the cheap horns, and I was concerned about a couple of the brands like Hawk, that I’d never heard of for just that reason. These days, I see some kids with plastic horns, and I just can’t understand. But then I watched some videos of professionals saying they’re not that bad. I just can’t believe that. And baritones and euphoniums don’t seem to come in plastic anyway, that I’ve seen.
The problem with loaner instruments is that my sister and I both have our kids in catholic grade schools, hers in Indy, and mine here in Dallas. We don’t have our own band director or instruments. Like many other schools in the diocese, we contract out with the Music Learning Band company which comes in to run the band program. So, there are no school-owned instruments, only rentals through a local store. When my daughter settled on flute, I went and found a good used Yamaha flute on eBay because the rent-to-own route is a complete rip off (that beat up student flute they rented to her for the first month was no way worth the $700 it would have cost to pay off). Now, I want to do the same for my nephew. On a related note, I never see tubas on the Music Learning bands. All bass is played by kids on electric bases, which bothers me.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0
Agree completely. The Yamaha baritones I’ve found so far are either pretty beat up or too pricey. I’m still looking for that sweet spot in the used market. I got my daughter a Yamaha flute. Yeah, they make good stuff.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 0
Thanks for he advice. I was following the general convention in American student bands of using the name baritone to cover both, but I really shouldn’t, I know. I think to go the normal student route that includes concert bands and later may branch into some marching/pep band duty, the euphonium is the way to go. If he gets into marching in high school, he can always get a marching baritone.
I’ll plan on getting him a good mouthpiece regardless. He rents a Jupiter horn right now, and I would be happy if I can find one in decent condition.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 1
What you say is true. However, I think I need to balance the social pressure of showing up to band with a truly trashed finish. A 6th grade boy has a right to something a least a little shiny. :) I’ll definitely go for a better horn with some dents though over a new but cheap one.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
08/16/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 1
New, because it will still have whiskey in it.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 1
Ahh, now that I think about it, maybe I did keep the old one for marching? It’s been too long...
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 0
Good thinking.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 14:44, STARS: 1
For both of us...*sigh*
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 0
Hope the banana muffins (and whiskey) got everyone ready for the first day of school today!
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 1
Worked out great! I’ll have to try the whiskey version soon.
Hope you the Excel file before the bottle emptied.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 1
I got the Excel file, then another version when people changed their mind.
Gave me a chance to have another glass, which is fine— and the bottle isn’t quite dead yet, which is also fine (although there’s plenty of backup there too).
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 1
Because of course they did.
BTW, my wife saw the pic, and what did the pediatrician in her see? Not the bottle or the glass, but the child locks on the cabinets in the background. First thing she pointed out was that they are the same brand we used to use.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 0
Haha! Yeah, they’re pretty new around our house. Little guy will be 1 Saturday, and opening cabinets and drawers may be his favorite activity, besides climbing up and down the stairs.
She’s a Pediatrician? She must be very patient (no pun intended, really!). My wife is in GI—
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 1
She used to be a pediatric oncologist before she had to quit practicing. She’s very, very good with kids and their families.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/16/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 1
I have no doubt about that - - my wife marvels at our pediatrician, she’s fantastic. It’s a pretty different mindset, dealing with children as patients v. adults.
And I’m sure that oncology adds a whole lot more complexity to that - that’s awesome stuff.
"hink" (hink61)
08/16/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 1
Non-musician here chiming in. This compares to many other things we purchase in life. I finally realized that when you purchase a $1200 lawn tractor, five years later it’s worth $300 (and gave you nothing but problems the whole time you owned it), but when you purchase a $5000 Kubota or the like, five years later it’s still worth $4200 and was a dream for the entire time you owned it. From what you say about the price of good used instruments, the same rule applies. I understand this is for your nephew which makes it a different situation, but you could probably buy a high quality used instrument in good shape, use it for a few years, and ultimately resell it for a price so that it ended up costing you maybe $100/year. Not a bad deal.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 19:35, STARS: 0
Hi and welcome! If I understand you correctly, you are saying spring for the nicer horn and don’t worry about the depreciation because the good ones will hold their value after initial depreciation (which is huge). That’s a good perspective which I hadn’t thought much about because I never considered selling my own horns. So, yes, I’m looking for good names I can trust that are still in good working condition but that also have some of that sweet depreciation built in that allows me to get a better used horn than I could afford new.
"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
08/16/2017 at 19:51, STARS: 1
I’m not really sure. I play an old King Trombone that I got for free from a family friend. It seemed pretty good to me and is probably 25-35 years old.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
Can’t beat free, and King is a decent horn to start on. A lot of us did.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
Can’t beat free, and King is a decent horn to start on. A lot of us did.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 0
Don’t give up on me. I tried calling my music store friend and got no answer. I’ll try again tomorrow.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 1
There was a movement some time ago to remove the lacquer from brass horns. The belief was that it allows the brass to resonate more efficiently. Some companies even started producing raw brass instruments. I’m not convinced. Especially with young players, you need the protection the lacquer provides, and silver plate horns are the most durable. And yes, looks matter, especially to a middle schooler. I had a teacher in college who owned a raw brass horn, but he played an older shiny horn when playing for kids. They were totally bummed when he pulled out a dull horn.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 0
Is Jupiter even in business any more? I played a Jupiter trumpet the other day. It was serviceable, but a far cry from a pro horn.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:26, STARS: 1
I can tell you the difference between the two, if you’re interested.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 0
Electric bass? Really?
I forgot that you are in Dallas. My friend works for Music and Arts, which has stores in the Metroplex. We might be able to work a deal for you. I’ll let you know.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 1
Excellent points, especially on the repair issue. Please don’t be offended by my comments about band directors. My biggest gripe is with the prescribed mouthpieces, particularly for trumpet. All the bands in my area tell the kids to get a Bach 5B, which is an absolutely terrible mouthpiece for beginners, and not a great mouthpiece in general. I think they recommend them for the deeper cup which could produce a more blending tone, but all it does is limit the development of range and make for woofy attacks. They might work for pros, but definitely not for beginners. Beginners should be on a 7C or 5C (or the Yamaha equivalent; I have no idea what the numbers are).
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0
I haven’t yet. Before I go to bed, I’ll email you so we can transfer info more easily off the forum.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 22:42, STARS: 0
Sounds good.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 22:47, STARS: 0
Main difference is conical (euphonium) vs. straight bore (baritone) giving a deeper, more melodic tone vs. a brighter tone, respectively. My understanding is the American baritone horn is really a euphonium. Is that it? Missing anything?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 1
Really. It gets worse. For the parades, like the Christmas one in Richardson, they put the bassists and percussion on a trailer and tow them like a float. It’s physically painful to watch.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 1
That would be exceptional. I like the idea of being able to play a horn before buying.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 1
Yuck. I’ll take the protection of lacquer for my expensive and precious investment, thank you very much.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/16/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 1
Yes on all points.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/16/2017 at 23:22, STARS: 1
Yay! I passed!
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/17/2017 at 00:46, STARS: 0
No offense taken. Lots of middle school band directors make poor choices when it comes to an instrument they don’t specialize on. Most middle school clarinet sections sound terrible in the upper register because brass and flutes tend to use an “ah” or “oh” oral cavity...clarinets and alto saxes need to use “eeh” to play in tune. But if your beginning band teacher isn’t a clarinet player, the kids won’t learn that.
My trumpets have always started with a 7C or the Yamaha equivalent, low brass on 6.5 AL or Yamaha 48, etc. Even when I finally got a real brass player on staff two years ago (horn/trumpet), she was firm. “Nope, keep ‘em on 7Cs.” Now she spends her time reminding me NOT to say, “just use more air,” instead of, “faster air speed” when our trumpets are flat on D-E-F up top. ^_^
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/17/2017 at 00:49, STARS: 1
I actually have one of the first runs of P-bones! They are legit, no joke. I haven’t tried any of the plastic woodwinds, but the bones and trumpets work. Build quality is good, too. But in the end, they have same major caveat the Chinese instruments have: if they break, you aren’t repairing the instrument...you’re dumpstering it and buying another one.
They’re a fun toy to have for being obnoxious at ball games and such.
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/17/2017 at 00:51, STARS: 1
That was a big fad for saxophonists in the late 70s and early 80s. Lots of Selmer Mark VII altos can be found sans lacquer these days as a result.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/17/2017 at 08:38, STARS: 0
I can see that. For outdoor use, especially in high or junior high school. Does your school keep them to loan out instead of brass?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/17/2017 at 09:21, STARS: 0
Faster air! Yes! Looking back at older method books, I see that they used to teach young kids about tongue position. On trumpets, it’s “AH” for the lower notes and “EE” for the higher ones. Raise the tongue, get faster air. I haven’t done much teaching in the last 20 yeas, but I wonder if they still teach that sort of thing.
My two boys are rising 6th graders and will be joining band. One has chosen euphonium and the other clarinet. They’ve both been taking lessons over the summer. The clarinet teacher is definitely on the “EE” bandwagon, which I like. I can’t stand the sound of an unsupported, flat clarinet. Or any instrument for that matter. I tell my kids that I want them to feel like the sound is coming out of their forehead.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/17/2017 at 17:33, STARS: 0
Hey, I need your opinion on another question as a teacher of beginning students. My nephew is on a rental Jupiter 3 valve horn right now. I found a couple of good horns (a Yamaha and a Besson) for affordable prices, but they are 3 valve. Ttyymmnn thinks I should get a 4 valve on musical grounds, and I agree with him, but those horns are much more expensive. I’m also not sure about the size for small kids and hands in 6th grade. I don’t want the extra complexity and weight to frustrate him at the beginning. What are your thoughts about starting with 3 valves and moving up later vs. going straight to a 4 valve now?
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/18/2017 at 00:21, STARS: 1
My school doesn’t have them; I have a personal P-bone that I bought on a whim.
When it comes to school money, there are far more productive ways for me to spend $160. For my own personal fun, however, I’ll drop that cash for the grin factor.
"Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious" (shour)
08/18/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 0
Well, we’re in uncharted territory for me; I’ve never had to advise a student or parent about buying a baritone or euphonium. But I can tell you what I’ve learned over the years.
My school has three four-valve euphoniums, and eight three-valve baritones. Additionally, our district’s bus drivers won’t let the kids bring those instruments on the bus, because they take up seat space...so all of my baritone players take a baritone home and keep it there for home practice. The 4-valvers stay at the school, and the kids use those in class, with their mouthpieces. (Our tuba players do something similar.)
Going back and forth between a baritone and a euphonium has not, at least in my observance, kept my students from excelling on the euphonium, or developing a quality sound. Last year, my top baritone player placed second in the city (38 total auditioned), and he had a baritone at home and a euphonium at school. The kids who work hard and practice and listen and work on tone...they sound good. And the ones who don’t...don’t. That’s been MY experience.
Regarding the extra valving and weight, as I said, even my sixth graders play the 4-valvers at school. Almost always, the sixth graders are so small that they have to rest the euph in their lap to reach the mouthpiece, so the weight isn’t an issue...if you’re concerned about your son having to transport it to and from school, you can always get one of those folding luggage dollies. When it comes to actual valving, I teach all sixth graders to play 1/3 C regardless of how many valves their instrument has, and in 7th and 8th grade, I start having them use the 4th valve. (I feel that they need to be able to play something competently whether they are handed a 3-valve or a 4-valve instrument.)
At the end of the day, the money you have is the money you have; diligent, hard-working kids will work hard diligently; and kids who love music will still love music and learn to play beautifully on whatever you hand them if they can get a good fundamental sound on the mouthpiece. Manny played the sounded like a beautiful baritone when he played the baritone, and sounded even prettier when he would play a euphonium, and sounded like a trombone when he played trombone in jazz band. Ttyymmnn may believe otherwise, but if the kid is a good kid, they’ll adapt just fine. That’s been my experience so far.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/18/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 0
That is great perspective and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!