The issues you mention regarding mismatches between musicians and gear are disappointingly common. Given that information is becoming more and more available online, though, let’s hope that students and teachers can make better decisions going forward.

Besides what you’ve mentioned, I also see saxophonists and clarinetists playing on mouthpiece/reed combinations that are far too resistant; drummers sitting on thrones that are too low for them; guitarists using straps that are too small for them; flutists with small hands who really do need an offset “G” key, etc. Not to mention the legions of musicians who sit for long periods of practice on poorly designed chairs (in poor lighting, too). What all this does, of course, is invite misuse. Combine that with overuse and lack of proper rest and you have a recipe for strain and injury. Thanks for this concise and very helpful advice.