It’s back to school time, and that can mean only one thing; parents and students are frantically running around trying to get the last of their stationery and supplies for the year. But, if this is your first year doing music lessons in school, you might not even know what you need! To help you along, we’ve created this list of essential back to school music supplies for new students.
The list below is not an exhaustive list of everything you could get, but it is what we feel are the basics that every student should have. Some items are essential for the instrument (for example, you cannot play the saxophone without reeds), while other things will make practising a little bit easier.
Music Stand
When you play an instrument, your posture matters. Too many music students place their music books flat on tables or try to stand them up in weird ways, only for a breeze to know it down.
When playing, it is imperative that you focus on the notes, and don’t fight with your sheet music. Having a music stand means that your music file or book stays in place and that you don’t have to become a contortionist before being able to get some playing time.
Ideally, you want to sit in a way that allows you to see your instrument and your sheet music at the same time.
Music Stand Light
A music stand light is often one of the most overlooked elements for music accessories. If you practice at night, a stand light will make your life more comfortable.
“But I have the lights on when I practice, why do I need a stand light?”
Good question! The truth is that unless you are sitting directly under a light, you will get shadows on your sheet music. When you’re learning a new piece, those shadows might mean that you’ll need to adjust the book when you get to a part of the song in darkness.
Not only that, not all exam rooms are equal. There is nothing worse than being prepared for an exam, only to tank it because you can’t see what you play. Stand lights are also cheap, so buy one and toss it into your bag, so that it’s always there when you need it.
Metronome
If you have never played an instrument before, or if you’ve been playing for 40-years, you need a metronome! Sure, some people develop perfect timing and rhythm over time – but they do that by spending years working with a metronome.
People might forgive slow playing, but if your playing is out of time, people will judge you harshly. If you are serious about music, a metronome is a non-negotiable item in your arsenal.
Instrument Tuner
No one wants to listen to something that is out of tune. But, there’s more to a tuner than that. If you are new to music, you are still in the process of training your ear. If your instrument is out of tune, you are going to take longer to train your ear accurately.
From a motivational perspective, it is also imperative that your instrument is in tune. There are numerous cases of students who think that they’re playing something wrong, when in fact the only issue is an out of tune instrument. Few things can sap motivation quiet as fast as thinking you’re doing something wrong.
Music Staff/Tab Book
Whenever you go to music class, you should always have a notebook, a pencil (not a pen), and either sheet music or music tab books. While your teacher should give you notes as you do lessons, most primary and high schools will still require that you write notation.
A staff music or tab book is the musical equivalent of a writing notebook or exam pad. And let’s assume that for some reason you never need to use one during lessons, then at the very least you have somewhere you can compose music.
Picks, Rosin, Sticks, Strings & Reeds
Every instrument has a unique set of accessories and spares that it needs. For guitarists, they need guitar strings and in some cases, picks. A violin player needs rosin for their bow, and a clarinet player needs reeds.
If you’re not sure what you need, feel free to contact us, and we can help guide you to the specifics of your instrument.
Instrument Stand
Instruments are expensive, so it’s a good idea to keep them in good condition. In an ideal world, we would always place the instrument back in its case when not in use – of course, we live in the real world.
If you’re turning the page of your music file, or you need to run to the loo really fast, you are going to want somewhere safe to leave your instrument. The floor is a terrible solution! So, when it’s not practical to put your instrument in its case, the safest place for it is an instrument stand.
Gig Bag or Case
Are you’re taking your instrument to school or private lessons? Then you are going to want to ensure that its safe in transit. A simple, thin gig bag will protect against light scratches from car boots or people walking by.
But, if you’re a touch clumsy, are prone to walking into things, or taking public transport, you are going to want something more robust. In cases like this, the best option is a hard case.
Are you excited to start music lessons? If you want to do well, you should ensure that you are prepared for anything. By ensuring that you have all the essentials, you can rest assured knowing that all you need to do is attend class, and practise, practise, practise, and practise some more.
From us here at Paul Bothner Music, we want to wish all music students good luck for 2020! And remember to let us know when you start gigging.
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