SOLOMON ALBER
What You'll Need for Lessons?
Instrument, mouthpiece and reed recommendations
There's a lot to consider when buying an instrument. I am happy to be a sounding board for all my students individually about any instruments, mouthpieces or reeds they are considering to purchase. Additionally, I am pleased to source instruments and mouthpieces for my students and I always include them in my instrument selection process. I will ensure that you will receive a quality, well-made instrument that will give your clarinet and saxophone student happy music making for years to come.
I am proud to have partnered with Lisa's Clarinet Shop, a shop that has been running successfully for over 40 years thanks to the work of Lisa Canning and her Ambassador Program. Lisa's Clarinet Shop is famously well-known and I can personally attest to their professionalism, exceptional customer service and most importantly, their vast knowledge of clarinets and all woodwind instruments. Lisa's Clarinet Shop is a pioneer of the color ring system that makes finding the perfect clarinet with the sound you've been dreaming of so much easier.
Clarinet
Beginner: Buffet E11
The Buffet Crampon E11 Bb clarinet is an excellent, reliable 1st level wood instrument. Ideal for younger players looking for an instrument that is slightly better than a beginner instrument.
Buffet E11 can be purchased here.
Intermediate: SeriO Series or Buffet E12
Our SeriO clarinet line, created by Lisa’s Clarinet Shop founder, Lisa Canning,was designed to increase quality while decreasing the price of a professional level instrument. Offered at a fraction of the price of Buffet-Crampon, if you are serious about improving your playing, you need to try SeriO.
SeriO Clarinets can be purchased here.
Buffet E12 can be purchased here.
Alto Saxophone
Beginner: BetterSax Student Alto Saxophone or Yamaha YHS-280
BetterSax Student Alto Saxophone more info.
Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Saxophone can be purchased here.
Intermediate: Buffet 400 Series Professional Alto Saxophone or
Yamaha YAS-480
Buffet 400 Series Professional Alto Saxophone more info.
Yamaha YAS-480 Professional Alto Saxophone more info.
Differences between buying a Professional Saxophone and an Intermediate Saxophone are that Professional Saxophones are made from the best quality materials available. This translates into a better-sounding instrument that lasts longer.
Mouthpieces
Just like having the perfect instrument can lead to accelerated success with the clarinet or the saxophone, having the right mouthpiece is just as important. Just like, instrument buying, I am more than happy to help all of my students with choosing the right mouthpiece.
Clarinet
Beginner: Vandoren M15
Vandoren M15 mouthpieces can be purchased here.
Intermediate: Vandoren M15
Alto Saxophone (Classical)
Beginner: Selmer C* Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Intermediate: Selmer C* Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Reeds and Reed Case
As the perfect mouthpiece and the instrument are important for our growth and success as clarinet and saxophone players, using the right reeds can also help usher in significant improvement. I recommend for most beginners and intermediate students to try out Vandoren V12 strength 3, 3 1/2 or 4. Make sure you choose reeds for the correct instrument (Bb, Eb or Bass). I sell individual reeds for cost to my students, please inquire at your next lesson.
Vandoren V12 Bb Clarinet Reeds can be purchased here.
Alto Saxophone Vandoren V21 Reeds can be purchased here.
Other Supplies
1 mechanical pencil or number 2 granite pencil
1 music manuscript notebook (Solomon will be writing weekly goals and an overview of practice goals for the week in here)
May be bought next door at Ingram and Brauns Musik Shoppe or online
Link to Amazon page of standard manuscript notebook
1 standard folder (to keep and store any handouts that Solomon gives to students during lessons)
1 Metronome (in order to be able to practice time and tempo)
May be bought next door at Ingram and Brauns Musik Shoppe or online
Link to Amazon page of standard Metronome
*Important* While, there are some very good phone applications that exist as metronomes, it is recommended to still buy a handheld metronome
Books and Music
I ask all my clarinet students to bring a method or etude book, a scale book and a music book. I often will provide handout copies of these books from my personal library but, students should still consider paying for any of these books as they will surely last a lifetime. Check next door at Ingram and Brauns Musik Shoppe whether they are in stock.
Beginning Clarinet/Saxophone:
Rubank Elementary Method for Saxophone
Rubank Elementary Method for Clarinet
Accent on Achievement Method for Clarinet
Accent on Achievement Method for Saxophone
Intermediate Clarinet/Saxophone:
Rubank Intermediate Method for Saxophone
Rubank Intermediate Method for Clarinet