The Ultimate List of Back to School Supplies for Band

A tuner/metronome is an essential part of every musician's arsenal. Regular tuning helps musicians make sure their notes are sounding sweet, and the metronome helps to keep practice at a steady pace.

If your band student has a cell phone, you might want to check out our articles The Best Free Tuner Apps for iPhone, and The Best Free Metronome Apps for iPhone.

Otherwise, we recommend the Korg TM-60 Metronome-Tuner Combo.

Who it's for: Every musician

Price: Currently $21.86 on Amazon

Many instrument cases look the same - another student in the band room might even have the same brand of horn as your child.

It's a good idea to mark your case with your name and phone number so that you can easily recognize it, and it won't get lost.

Who it's for: everyone

Price: currently $6.00 on Amazon

Instruments get germy when you put them into your mouth every single day. Its a smart idea to keep antimicrobial spray in your case to sanitize mouthpieces, headjoints, and any other part of the instrument that comes in contact with your mouth.

Who it's for: brass and woodwind players

Price: Currently $8.97 on Amazon

The valves of brass instruments should be oiled frequently so that valves continue to operate quickly, and don't get stuck. Blue Juice is specially created to work quickly and help keep valves clean.

Who it's for: Trumpet, Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, and Tuba Players

Cost: currently $7.50 on Amazon

Trombones are the only brass instrument with a slide instead of valves. To keep the slide moving quickly and smoothly, its best to apply lubricant to the slide frequently. It's also a good idea to keep a cleaning cloth and small spray bottle of water in the case because slide treatment can dry out.

Who it's for: trombone players

Price: currently $14.59 on Amazon

It's important to wipe down a brass instrument after every use to prevent the oils from our skin from corroding the instrument. Periodic cleaning of the inside of the horn by pulling a hose snake and water through the horn is also a good idea.

Check out our article How to Maintain Your Brass Instrument for more advice!

Who it's for: brass players

Price: currently $14.99 on Amazon

After every practice session, woodwind players should pull a cleaning cloth through the instrument to clean out excess moisture that can cause corrosion damage and a build up of bacteria.

Who it's for: woodwind players

Price: currently $7.99 on Amazon

Reeds eventually wear out, or more commonly in classrooms, get broken. It's a good idea to send your student to school with a reed case, so that they will have a safe place to keep up to eight extra reeds, for when they need a spare.

Who it's for: clarinet and saxophone students

Price: $12.99 on Amazon

Woodwind instruments, like the clarinet, oboe, saxophone, and bassoon, are jointed together with pieces of wood called tenon corks. Every reed player should keep a tube of cork grease in the case for frequent lubrication of the corks, which will prevent extra trips to the repair shop.

Who it's for: all woodwind instruments except flute.

Price: currently $2.99 on Amazon

Saxophone players normally use a neck strap while playing. Some instruments may come with a neck strap. But, if for some reason yours doesn't we recommend the Neotech Sax Strap (alto)

Who it's for: Saxophone Players

Price: currently $15.99 on Amazon

Percussions students will need a way to carry several sets of drumsticks and mallets. A stick bag is an easy way to organize sticks, tape, drum key, and other accessories drummers will need.

Who it's for: drummers

Price: currently $21.99 on Amazon

Percussion students probably won't need a practice pad at school. But, parents - trust us, you're going to want it at home.

A foam rubber drum pad offers the perfect way for students to practice on a rebounding surface, quietly!

Who it's for: drummers (more for parents)

Price: currently $19.97 on Amazon