Wind Instruments Roy Benson

The family of wind instruments encompasses a wide variety of difficulties, prices, and contexts of use. For a start in music, the most accessible are the clarinet and alto saxophone — both have a relatively simple mechanism and a rich school repertoire. The flute requires a bit more breath control but remains a common choice for children aged 8-9 and up. The trumpet and French horn are typical for bands and orchestras, with a different learning curve focused on embouchure.

For saxophones, the alto is the standard choice for students — our best-selling model is the Yamaha YAS-280 — while the tenor is the typical choice for jazz. For clarinets, a Boehm model with an ABS body, such as the Parrot Clarinet Boehm 7401 S, is a safe choice for a student making their first purchase.

We have over 200 active models of saxophones, clarinets, and flutes, plus trumpets, French horns, and all maintenance accessories — reeds, mouthpieces, straps, cases. If you are not sure which instrument suits you, our guide “How to Choose a Wind Instrument” explains step by step the right choice for age and level.