All major instrument manufacturers make several levels or categories of instruments.
There are three major classifications: Student, Advanced Student or Semi-Pro, and Professional.
Even within these three main categories there are subcategories due to the fact that some models within a category are more advanced and are better quality than others.

 

Obviously student instruments are the least expensive, Semi-pro is in the middle and Professional instruments will cost the most to buy.  One should not decide by price alone when purchasing an instrument.  You should always consider who the instrument is for and how it will be used and handled.  This is the most important consideration.  Please do not purchase a $2,000.00 professional instrument for your 10 year old beginner.  On the other hand, please do not purchase a basic student instrument for a serious, talented and dedicated high school student.

Matching the right instrument to the right player is critical.  This is something that most Internet or catalog companies as well as many retail music stores do not care to address.  At Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music, we don't just sell you an instrument, we want to provide you with the right instrument.  Having the right instrument will provide you with the best value and the most enjoyment for years to come.

 

 

Description of the Categories:

Basic Student (Entry-level)

 

Generally speaking these instruments are built for economy and durability.  The least expensive of all instruments, these are instrument best suited for the absolute beginner who is not sure if he or she will like music.  If a young student is not particularly musical but music is mandatory at their school then this is the right category for them.  This is also the best category for someone who is not very meticulous and is rough on their things or one who is not focused.  This does not mean that all student instruments are low quality, some are actually quite good!  It simply means that they are created for a certain type of player, in this case, the beginner.

Most young teens fall into this category but many times parents are wrong about their child's commitment level.  Often we see that the parent does not believe that their child will enjoy music or stick with it.  Many times the opposite happens and the student really takes to it and enjoys it.

 

Who it is for:

- The absolute beginner
- The parent who is on a very tight budget
- Parents that would normally rent an instrument but understand that it makes more fiscal sense to purchase
- The child who does not take care of his or her things like they should
- The player who will use the instrument in tough conditions, such as marching
- The student who is not focused enough on music
- The student who just takes music because he has to
- The student who always has to be told to practice
- The student who takes music for fun but will not make music an overly important part of his or her life
 

Basic Student Flutes are typically designed with closed hole keys, also known as "plateau style".  These flutes are made of nickel and are silver plated (not solid silver) and are designed for durability and easy response for the inexperienced player.  You should never consider a nickel plated flute, these feel uncomfortable and are the lowest quality flutes on the market.

 

Basic Student Clarinets are always made of plastic to be cost effective for parents.  They require no maintenance and are not susceptible to cracking or environmental conditions like wood instruments.  You can get some very high quality student plastic clarinets.  They will do everything that a top professional instrument will do, so there is no loss by going with a good student clarinet.  They are great for marching as well.

Basic Student Trumpets are made more crude and the workmanship is less precise.  The machining of the parts is rougher in appearance and not as nicely finished.  The instrument is not as ornate, which does not really matter to a beginner or someone who is in a marching band. Good quality basic student instruments play very well despite the lower price.  The valves are made with looser tolerances than higher priced horns, so they should always move freely as long as there is no dirt or dents in the valve casings.  Beautiful craftsmanship is kept to a minimum.  The cases are usually molded plastic or of simple plywood construction.  Perfect for a beginner or even beyond.  Also great for the abuse of marching bands.
 

Basic Student Trombones are characterized by workmanship which is not as refined.  The machining of the parts is more crude and not as nicely finished.  Quality student trombones can play very well despite the lower price.  The hand-slide is made with looser tolerances for a looser fit and is not as smooth.  For this reason this can be advantageous since the slides should be less susceptible to imperfections, dirt or minor dents in the slide tubes.  Beautiful craftsmanship is kept to a minimum.  The cases are usually molded plastic or of simple plywood construction.  These instruments are perfect for a beginner and even beyond.  Also great for marching bands.

Basic Student Saxophones have keywork and mechanisms which are simplified to promote more durability and less repairs.  These instruments are often made of thicker metal to make them less susceptible to dents.  The parts are rougher in appearance and the mechanism is more durable but less precise when compared to more expensive saxophones.  The cases are made to be functional and not to be stylish.  Perfect for the beginner, marching bands, young student or hobbyist.

 

 

Intermediate (Semi-Pro)

These instruments are usually purchased by saxophonists wanting all of the benefits of a professional saxophone at a lower price.  Some great bargains can be had in this category.  These instruments lack the hype and the image of the top line instruments but you get virtually the same quality in craftsmanship and sound for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollar less.  If you know what to shop for in terms of brands and models you will get a wonderful instrument which will last a lifetime.  If you just want a great instrument and don't care about the prestige of owning the top model, then this is your category.

Who it is for:
- The very serious high school student
- The college student
- The serious adult amateur player
- A beautiful gift for that special someone who always wanted a great instrument, but could never afford one,

Intermediate Flutes most often feature open hole (French-style keys) and a solid silver headjoint and a B-foot joint.  Some are entirely made of solid silver except for the keys which are silver plated.  The solid silver head makes for an increase in tonal quality and some feel that it justifies the added expense.  The B-foot extends the lower range by one note and the open-hole keys allow more flexibility in sound and pitch.

Intermediate Clarinet are made of Grandialla wood as are professional clarinets.  Keywork, intonation, craftsmanship and materials are similar or identical to top line professional clarinets.  These instruments have upgraded cases, better quality mouthpieces and tight and smooth mechanisms.  The mechanism is also closer to the body, just like on professional clarinets.  The key action is effortless, smooth and quiet.

Intermediate Trumpets are close in quality to the finest professional trumpets.  These instruments can cost several hundred dollars less but are still based on comparable professional models.  They have all the features of a professional horn but are built with the use of less expensive manufacturing techniques to keep the price lower.  These instruments are also built on the regular production line, while professional trumpets trumpets are built in separate batches or even in separate facilities using more hand craftsmanship.  Semi-pro trumpets usually do not have the many options that one can get when ordering a professional instrument.

Intermediate Trombones are close in quality to the finest professional trombones.  These instruments can cost several hundred dollars less but are still based on comparable professional models.  They have all the features of a professional horn but are built with the use of less expensive manufacturing techniques to keep the price lower.  These instruments are also built on the regular production line while top of the line trombones are built in separate batches or even in separate facilities using more hand craftsmanship.  Semi-pro trombones usually do not have the many options that one can get when ordering a professional instrument.

Intermediate Saxophone - Keywork, intonation, craftsmanship and materials are similar or identical to top line professional saxophones. These instruments have upgraded cases, better quality mouthpieces and tight and smooth mechanisms.  The key action is effortless and quiet.  Cost is kept lower than comparable professional instruments since less hand work is utilized in the construction.

 

Professional

If you have the musical ability, appreciate the finer things in life, and know how to take care of fine instruments then this is your category. This category offers the most recent advancements in instrument design, materials and tonal characteristics.  You will also have the image of "owning the best", though it willl not necessarily make you the best player.   If you choose your model correctly you will get a top of the line instrument and it will still be very affordable.

Who it is for:
- A professional player or someone who makes at least some money playing their instrument
- Very serious and aspiring young musicians who never have to be told to "practice" by their parents
- The amateur player who aspires to be a professional player
- The instrument collector, who collects the finest instruments
- As a gift for that special someone who has filled your life with happiness and joy

Professional Flutes have a solid silver head, body and foot sections as well as solid silver keys.  The silver material ads to the resonant qualities of the instrument.  As the price and quality of an instrument increase, so do the availability of options, performance capability, degree of hand craftsmanship and most importantly tone quality.  These are the best sounding flutes available designed for solo performance where the flute is the featured instrument in a concert setting.  Hand craftsmanship produces an instrument of the highest tonal quality and best response.  Some options include a choice of exotic materials such as solid gold and platinum and other features such as the hand cutting of the embouchure hole, C# key, Split E key, French pointed key arms, and white gold springs.

Professional Clarinets are designed for optimum sound, intonation and technical facility.  These instruments feature the latest advances in instrument design.  Some of the features are undercut tone holes, for better intonation and tone, specially tapered (and often polished) inner bores for evenness of tone color throughout the instrument, the choicest wood and sometimes thicker walls for a darker sound.  Professional clarinets also sometimes offer additional keywork to assist in the performance of difficult classical music.

Professional Trumpets are instruments for the long term player.  These instruments will last a lifetime of hard professional use.  Tone quality is the most important goal in designing these instruments.  They also have the best intonation and can often be customized to the wishes of the serious experienced player.  Some of the custom options are different bore sizes, different wall thicknesses, triggered slides, different lead pipe choices, different bell sizes, bell shapes, bell materials, etc.  These instruments can be custom tailored to the specific tonal and music style of the player.

Professional Trombones are instruments for the long term player.  These instruments will last a lifetime of hard professional use.  Tone quality is the most important goal in designing these instruments.  They also have the best intonation and can often be customized to the wishes of the serious experienced player.  Some of the custom options are different bore sizes, different wall thicknesses, unique valve designs, different tubing wraps, interchangeable leadpipes, different bell sizes, bell shapes, bell materials, etc.  These instruments can be custom tailored to the specific tonal and music style of the player.

Professional Saxophones are instruments that are usually chosen by the most discriminating players.  They offer the best tone and intonation.  The workmanship is meticulous, adjustment is perfect, tuning is as good as it gets and tone quality is paramount.  An investment for life, these instruments are often available in fancy finishes and with elaborate hand engraving.  Some vintage professional saxophones end up being sought after as collectors items.