08/21/2026
A Note to My Music Colleagues
Northtown Music
3648 Harlem Road
716-838-3835
Dear Music Educators and Friends,
Welcome back to another school year! I wanted to take a few minutes to share some information from all of us at Northtown Music and, hopefully, a few thoughts that may be helpful as you get your programs up and running.
We continue to believe in our Fair Price Model, and our goal is simple: provide quality instruments, accessories, rentals, and repairs while supporting music educators and students throughout Western New York.
A Few of Our Featured Brands
Powell Flutes – Outstanding instruments that we highly recommend.
Cannonball Saxophones – Excellent tone, craftsmanship, and value.
Buffet Clarinets – A trusted name for student through professional players.
Plus, many other quality brands across the entire band and orchestra family.
Programs & Services for Your Schools
Free Music Folders
We have music folders available to schools while supplies last. Just give us a call, and we’ll set them aside for pickup.
Student Assistance Program
If you have a student who is struggling financially and needs an instrument, please talk to us. Through the music teacher, we may be able to provide an instrument at no cost.
Instrument Rentals
We offer affordable rental prices and a large selection of quality student instruments.
Accessories
Reeds, mouthpieces, strings, books, and other supplies are available at competitive prices.
Repairs
We provide fast, reliable repairs for both schools and students. We understand that when an instrument is sitting in the repair shop, a student is sitting without an instrument, so we work hard to keep turnaround times short.
A Few Thoughts From the Repair Bench
After many years of working with students, teachers, parents, and thousands of instruments, I’ve picked up a few observations that I thought I’d share with my fellow music educators.
1. Choosing the Right Saxophone Mouthpiece
The Selmer S80 alto saxophone mouthpiece can be an excellent choice for helping students develop a more mature, focused sound and encouraging good tone production.
The Yamaha 4C remains an excellent student mouthpiece and has been a favorite for many years. In my experience, however, many students are able to develop a richer, more centered sound with the Selmer S80.
One important reminder: both mouthpieces can be damaged if dropped on a hard floor. Please remind students to handle them carefully and use the mouthpiece cap whenever possible.
2. Open-Hole Flutes: Don’t Forget the Plugs
I see quite a few open-hole flutes come into the shop with all of the hole plugs still installed.
The plugs are useful while a student is learning, but as technique develops, they should generally be removed gradually. This allows students to learn proper finger coverage and take advantage of the design of an open-hole flute.
That said, the difference in tone should not be overstated. The player’s embouchure, air support, finger coverage, and overall technique have a much greater effect on the sound than the open holes themselves.
The important thing is to use the instrument as the student develops rather than leaving all of the plugs in indefinitely.
3. Moving From Clarinet to Bass Clarinet
The transition from clarinet to bass clarinet can be a great opportunity for a student, but the instrument needs to be in excellent working condition.
Bass clarinets can be temperamental, and even a small mechanical problem can make an otherwise capable student feel like they are struggling.
Students who already have difficulty with the upper register on clarinet may need additional support when adjusting to the bass clarinet’s larger mouthpiece and different response.
Before deciding that a student is having trouble with the instrument, make sure the instrument itself is properly adjusted and functioning.
A properly maintained bass clarinet can make the transition much easier and much more enjoyable.
4. Trumpet Mouthpiece Selection
Some school programs move students from a Bach 7C directly to a Bach 3C during middle school. That can work very well for some students, but I don’t believe there should be a one-size-fits-all rule.
A 3C can provide a broader, more mature sound when a student is physically and musically ready. However, moving to a larger mouthpiece too soon can sometimes create problems with endurance, consistency, and tone production.
For many students, the Bach 5C can be a very good middle step between the 7C and 3C.
Ultimately, mouthpiece selection should be based on the individual student, including physical development, embouchure, dental considerations, tone, endurance, and playing goals.
5. Choosing a Beginning Flute
One thing I’ve learned is that we shouldn’t automatically rule a student out from playing flute because of the shape of their lips.
A teardrop-shaped lip can sometimes create challenges, but many successful flute players have different lip shapes and facial structures. What matters is how the student’s lips, jaw, air support, and embouchure work together.
When choosing an instrument, I think it’s important to look at the whole student, not just one physical characteristic.
Can they create a focused air stream? Are they comfortable holding the instrument? Do they have the coordination and willingness to practice? Can they develop a healthy embouchure?
Sometimes a small adjustment in headjoint placement or teaching approach can make a tremendous difference.
6. Dental Development Is Also Worth Considering
Beginning band students are still growing and developing, and dental development can sometimes affect how comfortable an instrument feels.
Students going through significant dental work or experiencing major changes to their bite may temporarily have difficulty developing a consistent embouchure, tone, or endurance.
This doesn’t mean they cannot play the instrument. It simply means that timing and individual circumstances matter.
When there are significant dental concerns, it may be helpful for the music teacher, private instructor, parents, and dental professional to communicate before making a major instrument decision.
Most Important of All
Every student is different.
There isn’t one mouthpiece, one instrument, or one approach that works perfectly for every player. Sometimes the best thing we can do as educators is take a step back, look at the individual student, and figure out what will give that particular child the best chance to succeed.
After all, our goal isn’t just to put an instrument in a student’s hands. It’s to help that student enjoy making music and want to keep playing.
As always, please feel free to call or stop by Northtown Music. We’re happy to talk instruments, repairs, rentals, mouthpieces, or anything else that can help your program.
Thanks for everything you do for music education and for the students we all work with.
Best wishes for a great school year!
Ben Boyar
Northtown Music
3648 Harlem Road
716-838-3835
Sent from my iPhone
Benjamin Boyar
12:10 PM (8 minutes ago)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Benjamin Boyar
Date: Fri, Aug 21, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Subject:
To: Northtown Music
A Note to My Music Colleagues
Northtown Music
3648 Harlem Road
716-838-3835
Band/Orchestra/Chorus Folders donated to your school
