Best Tools for Schools from NAMM 2025

This year’s NAMM show boasted a vast showroom floor of instruments, sound equipment and tools educators can use to encourage music making at the K-12 level. Dr. Sarah Gulish, co-founder and CEO of F-flat Books, had a chance to visit the showroom with fellow authors and music educators, Darlene Machacon and Czarina Jimenez. We also had Tools selected by Elisa Janson Jones, Gillian Desmaris, and Tom Palmatier. Enjoy!

Kala Uke Bass: With the rise of modern band in school music programs, it’s essential to find instruments that are accessible to students of all ages and learning levels. These Uke Basses are fantastic for elementary and middle school students interested in learning the bass! Not only are they proportioned for young learners, but they are also a great addition to any school ukulele program looking to expand ensemble possibilities. Only $369 and available in right- or left-hand models and a variety of colors (solid body). The acoustic-electric model is under $200.

KalaBrand.com

Bespeco Music Stand: As ensemble directors, we often struggle with finding quality music stands that can withstand frequent outdoor performances. We loved this stand from Bespeco that included a carrying case, music clips, and adjustable holders for tuners and more. With expanding stand options, this is perfect for solo or ensemble performances outdoors. You can find this or similar models on Amazon.

Bespeco.it

NanoKEY Fold: We had way too much fun with this mini keyboard from Korg. Folding into the size of a cell phone, this midi keyboard had a surprising range of functionality and would be perfect for a music technology classroom or for an educator looking to compose and arrange on the go. It is sturdier than most foldable MIDI keyboards and has programming options that make it perfect for 21st century music making! $119 with free shipping.

Korg.com

Pitch Strap Tuner: Tuning Bass and Electric Guitars during performance or rehearsal can be cumbersome. With the pitch strap tuner, instrumentalists can tune their instrument easily with visual cues that are close and easy to discern. This new technology has implications for any instrument with straps. It’s the world’s first strap-mounted tuner and features a state-of-the-art new technology that allows the tuner to detect the pitch of the guitar or bass from the strap’s vibrations. This tuner does not need to touch your guitar or bass and works in noisy environments.

Korg.com

Suzuki Andes 25F: A recorder keyboard?! The NAMM show held much buzz for the classic Melodion after the Jon Batiste concert on the Yamaha stage. He introduced the Melodion throughout his set, and teachers flocked to purchase them on the showroom floor. This new take on the Melodion would be fantastic for a general music classroom. This portable instrument has a great tone and can aid in pitch-matching, accompaniment, or supporting young students as they learn instruments like the recorder. Plus, it’s fun to play! Available online for as low as $100.

SuzukiMusic-Global.com

ClariMate: We love finding digital tools that support analog performance. ClariMate is an innovative tool to help your clarinetists improve their playing ability and can instantly turn the instrument into a MIDI controller. This provides implications for assessment, gamification of learning, and creative output on the instrument. Perfect for a studio clarinet instructor or band director, this tool will change clarinet education. $349.

Clarimate.us

Beat Note: An app for percussionists that blew us away. Beat Note is a drum notation app that allows you to seamlessly convert newly created beats into sheet music and exercises for students. Its simple interface makes it possible to create, share, download, and print music for percussion. This would be a game changer for drumline instructors, percussion teachers, and band directors looking to create and share exercises with students. Students can use this app to practice and perform in real time.

Beat-Note.app

Windstars Methods and Instruments: Many years ago, kids started band in 4th grade. Now that many begin in 6th grade, these innovative brass and woodwind “bridge instruments” can help elementary students (ages 4-12) develop real instrumental skills with smaller durable and waterproof instruments that build actual embouchures and fingering skills. Don’t let the various color options fool you – these are not toys. They are real instruments with mouthpieces to transition students into traditional band instruments. Around $100.

NuvoInstrumental.com

Zipkit: Our partners at MusicWill introduced us to the Zipkit. If you have lots of young percussionists who want to play drumset, how can you afford to accommodate them (and stand the noise!!)? The Zipkit packs up into a small carrying case. It includes quiet versions of a snare, tom-toms, cymbals, bass drum, hi-hat, and a throne perfect for home practice or a busy classroom. It can be sized for 4-5 year olds or for adults! We heard several pro drummers sit down and wail on this (but quietly!!).

NuvoInstrumental.com

Pearl River Strings: Incredible value for student string instruments of high quality. I saw their starter level violins. I’m not a string player so I asked several string teachers to look at the instruments, tell me what they liked and didn’t like and what they thought the instruments would sell for. They played the starter violin and thought it was great and had many features found in higher level instruments. It comes with a great case and a bow and both teachers thought it would sell for about $1,500. Actual price – under $400!

All Pearl River string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) feature European sourced woods, Italian antique finishes, strings from world-renowned suppliers, and bridges that are hand-made in strict accordance with traditional methods. Each hand-built instrument requires six months or longer to complete.

PearlRiverUSA.com

Jamstik Core MIDI Guitar: Available Spring 2025, the Jamstik Core MIDI guitar is a 22-fret stratocaster electric guitar with full MIDI capabilities. Powered by Jamstik signal processing technology & proprietary algorithms, the Jamstik Core represents state-of-the-art MIDI guitar performance built into a convenient all-in-one solution.

Modern band instructors and guitar teachers can use this guitar as a teaching, workstation, AND performance tool in their classrooms. If you’re looking for a way to display enlarged real-time chords and note information on a shared screen or smartboard, the Jamstik Core is an ideal choice. The guitar also comes with a free VST plug-in that works seamlessly with Jamstik’s controls. You can also download the Jamstik Control app for even more usability on the go. Educational discounts are available.

Jamstik.com

Artiphon Orba 3: Orba 3 makes it easy to turn your musical ideas into reality, wherever you are. Its built-in microphone lets you sample any sound and instantly transform it into a playable instrument. With over 300 sample-based sounds and an integrated looper, you can create, layer, and perfect your music effortlessly. Plus, MPE MIDI over USB-C and Bluetooth ensure seamless integration with your favorite music creation software, while its built-in speaker, rechargeable battery, and portability make it perfect for creating music anytime and anywhere.

I saw this instrument being used in the MIDI Association performance by a high school group and I was completely blown away. It’s an amazing songwriting and performance tool. You can use different sides of the instrument to create melodies, punch in drum patterns, and layer unique sounds to your heart’s content. A great addition for a music technology classroom, modern band ensemble or any ensemble group interested in replacing a recording with a live electronic instrument. The Orba 3 goes for $159.99.

Artiphon.com

Eastman 3-Valve Student Euphonium: The EEP321 is a three-valve entry-level euphonium. Well-constructed of traditional yellow brass, it includes three easy-to-reach top-action valves in a traditional euphonium design. A rose brass leadpipe resists corrosion and the stainless steel piston valves are easy to maintain. Great high-quality starter instrument. Compensating valves to improve intonation.