(Part 2) Best wind & woodwind instruments according to redditors

It's almost certainly one of these.

I work at a music store. It'll probably work for one or two performances before a pad falls out or a key bends out of place.

My first was a Jean Paul Clarinet off Amazon for $189. It punches above it's weight class and is as playable as my Buffet Crampon E11. Definitely a musical instrument and not a Clarinet Shaped Object.

The keywork is solid, the ebonite may be plastic but it's heavy, solid feeling, and in the hands is not much different than my wood clarinet. I had to adjust 2 of the lower keys after 2 months of playing but that's the only issue I've had with it, and it was perfectly playable out of the box.

It's nothing like the $180 flute and $180 trumpet I bought. Far heavier, far better build quality.

Look up a saxonett in the Internet.

https://www.amazon.de/JUPITER-Saxonett-deutsches-inklusive-deutsch/dp/B005KRRJJ8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=saxonett&qid=1571204685&sr=8-1

This is a Xun. You blow across the top and cover the holes with your fingers to play notes. They're all over amazon too if you want your own cheap one. https://www.amazon.com/Eight-hole-beginner-pottery-instrument-supplies/dp/B00ERPXNPS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1540316323&sr=8-19&keywords=xun

I think the most embarrassing item on my wishlist would be a Flute. I used to play when I was a kid and now I've had the stupid itch to pick it up again. Its embarrassing because I used to get all the 'summer camp' jokes ugh! But, I was pretty damn good and I was in marching band, always chair 1-3! Go me...

I would say one thing, don't underestimate yourself, no matter how long you've been away.
I recently got back to flute playing after years away and decided that a random brand standard student flute (c-foot, closed holes - https://www.amazon.com/Roy-Benson-RBFL-402E-Student-Flute/dp/B007ZA3N02) was a safe bet but I am starting to want more. The one I got is cheap and and unknown brand and I think that a better flute would make me more confident about my flute playing and work harder to really be on the level that the flute it intended for. Despite the price I would not say it's a junk flute as it looks just as good as anyone else's in the band I'm in, but I am seeing and experiencing a lot of things that I find disturbing (some long rod is bent although it appears to have no effect - someone checked it said that it makes no difference so it's fine but I am not happy, B natural and Bb keys sticking together etc), and the case is already breaking apart after just 6 months. Long story short, I wish I had aimed higher and made a better choice.
My opinion is that you should first try to improve your posture, get a flute that meets your current needs and future expectations and just keep practising. Go to your local music shop and see if you can try a wave joint flute and if it does work better for you, get it. However, I think that you may get frustrated with it sooner or later when you become better than what your flute can do. I also think that would most likely force your arms into an unnatural position, unless you are a petite person. If you cannot hold it at the right angle you will have a lot of problems with your embouchure and tone and that will make it even harder and soon enough you'll be wanting a new one.
Jen Cluff has a huge collection of helpful articles: https://www.jennifercluff.com/posture.htm

Could be worse; here's a student model bassoon for 6200$.

Akai EWI 5000 http://www.amazon.com/Akai-EWI5000-Wireless-Electronic-Instrument/dp/B00IJF00GW

First thing's first, welcome! :)


My greatest advice is to avoid the <$100 Amazon/eBay specials like the plague. They look like this or this.

If you are to buy used, make sure you get something from a reputable brand. I learned on a Gemeinhardt when I was a little kid and it took a beating and kept playing, so they're close to my heart. Yamaha is a great choice, Armstrong is pretty good too. Generally when you buy a flute, I recommend buying it in person but as you are new, it would be hard to gauge if the instrument is in good condition/working order. If you're buying from the internet, see if you can arrange with the seller to allow for a return policy so you can take it to a technician!

Some other advice-- it's hard to get going and its even harder without the guidance of a private teacher. It'll take a while to be able to get a sound, and it takes practice to make that sound good. As recommended by Band_Derp, it may be worth taking a lesson or two to expedite the process. Don't be frightened when you realize it's difficult to play, this is where a lot of people give up. It just takes perseverance, and once you get the technique it's hard to forget it. It becomes muscle memory and will only improve with practice.

The other point I should wish to add is to have fun with it all. As with all hobbies, make sure you still find the fun in it all even through all the work you put into it!

1. RS Berkeley OB400 Elite Series Oboe with Case and Accessories at $1,024.03
   
   
2. I used to play the Oboe back in high school and I miss playing an instrument. Would love to re-learn!
   
   
3. Yes, I would be. I hope some day to be able to pick back up this hobby, but as it is a hobby, I would live without it.
   
   RR: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

I honestly dont expect anything. this is my flute

I just want to show it off, cause it is glorious and pretty.

I cant wait for the meetup. suuuuper excited for BDs and equally excited for meeting awesome peoples.

I got a 32-key Suzuki for around $25 at music conference (found it for about $35 on Amazon). It's been more than sufficient for me and I actually use in sometimes on gigs. I particularly like using the flexible extension tube as it lets me feel a little more free with the instrument.

I just couldn't justify even $100 bucks for a pure toy, though now that it's gotten some good, paid use I'd be more likely to upgrade in the future, but I figure for someone just looking to grab one for fun mine is more than adequate.

I'm starting lessons next week, actually! I'm also looking into clarinets but poor =/= nice :( I'm looking at this Mendini, however, knowing that it's an upgrade but not a huge leap

https://www.amazon.com/Mendini-MCT-30-Intermediate-Rosewood-Clarinet/dp/B00L60A31E

With a nice mouthpiece I feel it should suit me for a year or two, enough time to save for a much nicer clarinet

Almost forgot, I've been seeing these Mendini piccolos for only $130 on amazon and ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Mendini-MPO-BK-Lacquer-Piccolo-Cleaning/dp/B005013JXE

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mendini-Silver-Plated-C-Piccolo-w-Hard-Case-Care-Kit-/130555316784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e65b40a30

I see they have pretty good reviews but I assume there has to be a reason they are so cheap, has anyone played one? Is this a great deal that I should jump on or would it be better to invest in a better quality one (while considering money is an issue.)

It's horribly taboo, but if you want a cheap and fun sax check out the Glory saxophones. I haven't looked in awhile, but I remember they were on amazon for 100-200 bucks or something like that. I liked my $300 tenor before I upgraded, and there's a ton of great reviews for it on amazon.

Everyone on saxophone forums will blast them for not being a $1500 Yamaha or a 100 year old family heirloom that was a gift from the 3 prince of the Congo, but from my experiences and other reviews they are a cheap and dirty Chinese sax brand that gets the job done.

Edit: The mouth piece and reeds that come with it are terrible, I'd upgrade those asap. But here is a $200ish one with good reviews https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Saxophone-11reeds-Cushions-DIRECTLY/dp/B00OET2ICG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495033826&sr=8-2&keywords=glory+alto+saxophone

probably a pretty bad clarinet.

So yes, to play ALL songs you'll need a chunk of harmonicas. However, its very important to get a solid, quality harmonica. I'd recommend spending at least $30 per harmonica and getting a Hohner Special 20 or Lee Oskar (or any other equivalent-or-better quality harmonica) per diatonic you get.

You can spend more, like $60+ per Harmonica if you want... if you want to go cheaper, try to stick to at least the stuff over $30.

So I know that gets expensive, but look at the songs that are available: http://www.reddit.com/r/harmonica/comments/i3w6o/song_keys/

True, there are eight harmonica keys for all the songs. But obscure harmonicas (like "Low C") don't really have very many songs for them. In that song list, C, F, and D cover most of the songs. Although different genres have preferences for different keys.

I mean, you have seven harmonicas in seven different keys. Which ones do you really use? You probably only use one of them a lot, and maybe two others. Just upgrade the few that you actually are using.

In any case, if you're going the Diatonic Route, it will be more important to get a few quality harmonicas (Hohner Special 20, Lee Oskar)... rather than getting leaky, unplayable, unbend-able cheap stuff.

And Harmonicas are lucky: entry-level professional-grade Harmonicas start at $35. Unlike other instruments which are far more expensive (look at those Professional quality Clarinets)

Google Reverse Image Search was unhelpful.

Though it's not quite perfect, perhaps a flute case (and at least that one isn't 500.00!) or a violin case (which seems to have the right proportions, at least)?

ETA: The corrugated section of the lid just looks so specific -- strength without weight. I wonder if it was literally from a field testing kit of some type?

It really depends, I’m not the op but I was a TA in a band program my senior year of high school for college credits and I helped with ordering new instruments and such. You can get a nice flute for under 500 if you really search eBay and such. But a brand new “beginner” flute that is still super nice and I’ve seen multiple students to all state with them are around 100-300 anything bellow 100 I would be hesitant with. Hope I answered!


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WAVPEM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=windplays-20&linkId=f3cb111c7bdc507e43559140218691af

That is a super nice option that my old band programs gave to our high school students! And it’s less then 200 bucks!