What comes in the case, and what you still need
What comes in the case, and what you still need
Two instruments at similar prices can be very different purchases, because one is an instrument and the other is an outfit. Knowing which is which avoids arriving at a first lesson without something essential.
Instrument, outfit, or kit
An instrument is the instrument alone, sometimes with a basic bag.
An outfit is the instrument plus the accessories needed to play and maintain it — typically a case, cleaning equipment and any consumables.
A kit usually means an outfit plus extras aimed at beginners: a stand, a tuner, a book, spare parts.
Our listings itemise what is in the box for exactly this reason. Comparing two prices without comparing two contents lists is how people end up with an instrument and no cleaning rod.
What a flute genuinely needs on day one
- Cleaning rod and a soft cloth — non-negotiable, used after every session.
- A case that closes properly.
- Joint grease, occasionally.
- A music stand, which is almost never included.
A tuner is useful and a phone app does the job perfectly well at the start.
What a recorder needs
A cleaning rod, a bag or case, and joint grease. Wooden instruments additionally need patience: they should be played in gradually over the first weeks rather than for long sessions immediately, to let the bore adjust to moisture.
What a whistle needs
Very little. A pouch to stop it rattling around a bag, and possibly anti-condense solution. Whistles are the least demanding instruments here.
What an electronic wind instrument needs
- Headphones — the whole point, and rarely included.
- A charging cable, usually included.
- A USB cable for MIDI if you plan to use computer sounds; sometimes the same cable, sometimes not.
The things nobody includes
A music stand. Method books. Headphones. A metronome, though a phone covers it. Somewhere to put the instrument down safely between pieces.
Of these, the stand is the one most worth buying immediately: reading music from a table teaches a posture that has to be unlearned later.
Spares worth having early
For anything with corks or joints, a spare tube of grease. For whistles, a second whistle in the same key is a surprisingly practical purchase — one lives in a bag and is always there.
For harmonicas, nothing; they are their own spare.
Before a first lesson
- Instrument, assembled and checked once at home.
- Cleaning equipment, used once so it is familiar.
- Music stand.
- Whatever book or material the teacher asked for.
- A pencil, which every teacher will ask for and nobody brings.
Ask before you order
If a listing is unclear about what is included, the counter can confirm before you buy rather than after. The shop is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the number on this site rings it during those hours.
Where this sits in the shop
Everything discussed above comes back to one part of the shop: Electronic Wind Instruments, which currently holds 5 listings between $56.35 and $259.99. The whole of it is picked and packed at Venuti's Music Store & Studios, 2539 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA, during Tue, Thu–Fri 2pm–7pm, Sat 11:30am–5pm, closed Sun, Mon and Wed — so anything written here can be checked by phoning the counter on ((215) 336-2698.
From our shelves
- SUNRISE MELODY M1 Electronic Wind Instrument, Beginner-Friendly Digital Saxophone with 26 — $119.00
- KONIX Electronic Wind Instrument, DC02 Pro Digital Wind Instrument with 10 Musical Tones — $59.99
- MK EWI, Performance-grade Electronic Wind Instrument, Wind Synth With Bulit in OTG — $259.99
What we get asked about this
How long will my order take?
Handling takes 1–2 business days and carrier transit is normally 3–7 business days, so most orders land in 4–9 business days. Tracking is emailed as soon as the label scans.
How much is shipping?
Orders of $49.00 or more ship free inside the United States. Below that, a flat $5.99 covers packing and carrier handling, whatever the box weighs.
Read next
- Choosing a first flute or recorder
- Tin whistles: keys, and why D is the default
- Electronic wind instruments: practising at two in the morning
Ordering from Venuti's Music Store
Orders of $49.00 or more ship free anywhere in the United States, and a flat $5.99 covers everything below that. Handling takes 1–2 business days and carrier transit is normally 3–7 business days. Unused items can go back within 30 days, and if the mistake was ours we pay the return postage.
Questions about anything above go to [email protected], answered within 1 business day, or call (215) 336-2698. Full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Refund and Returns pages.