Category: Articles

Proper Care and Maintenance of Brass Instruments

Trips to the instrument repair shop can be costly. If you want to avoid any unnecessary expenses related to the maintenance of your brass instrument, it’s important that you take proper care of it. Taking proper care of your brass instrument will also help you produce the best sound quality possible. Whether you play the […]

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Clarinet Rental vs. Purchase: Which is Right for You?

Clarinet Rental vs. Purchase: Which is Right for You?

For many students, picking up the clarinet and joining the school band or orchestra is their first introduction to the world of music. For parents with kids looking to join their school’s band or orchestra, the decision of whether to rent or buy a clarinet can be a difficult one to make- especially if they’ve […]

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How to Handle Making Mistakes During a Performance

How to Handle Making Mistakes During a Performance

Mistakes are an everyday part of life. From minor typos in your emails to forgetting the name of the person you just met, making mistakes is part of being human. Unfortunately, mistakes are bound to happen during a recital or performance- no matter how many times you’ve run through that piece of sheet music. You […]

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Essential Cleaning Supplies for Brass Instruments

Essential Cleaning Supplies for Brass Instruments

Brass instruments need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly, or they just won’t work the way they’re intended to. Over time, the valves become sticky, the slides get stuck, and disgusting gunk can build up and accumulate inside your instrument, deadening the sound and vibrancy of the tone. Think of your brass instrument like you […]

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Trumpet Player Performance

Trumpet: Renting vs. Buying for Beginners

The use of a quality trumpet that’s in good playing condition is paramount to the success of every  trumpet player, regardless of their proficiency. Thousands of parents each and every year face a decision just like yours. Should you rent an instrument until your child’s ready to make a full-time commitment? Should you buy an […]

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Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Saxophone Reeds

So, you’ve learned how to assemble a reed properly, clean your saxophone perfectly, and can even play through a few of your favorite songs without making any mistakes. You’re probably feeling pretty accomplished, right? But, do you know when it’s time to replace saxophone reeds? Can you tell when a reed is dying? First and […]

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Majoring in Music: What You Can Do With Your Music Degree

Majoring in Music: What You Can Do With A Music Degree

If you’re heading to college and thinking about getting a music degree, you may be asking yourself one important question: what can I do with a music degree once I graduate? Although performing and teaching are the two most common careers in music, those alone don’t even begin to cover what those with a music […]

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Saxophone: Renting vs. Buying for Beginners

If you’re thinking about taking up the saxophone, you might be considering whether you should purchase a new instrument or rent one until you’re sure the saxophone is something you’re seriously interested in pursuing. Similarly, if you have a child who is interested in playing the saxophone, but you aren’t sure if he or she […]

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Tips for a Successful Music/Band Fundraiser

Tips for a Successful Music/Band Fundraiser

As a parent of a student, you’re probably no stranger to fundraising. From Little League car washes to bake sales for the Girl Scouts, fundraising is an important part of extracurricular activities. As funding continues to be taken away from school music activities, fundraising will become even more crucial for school bands and orchestras. Fortunately, […]

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Teaching Tools: Top Five Lists and Practice Logs

Changing Guitar Strings: Knowing When and How Often

Did you know the only time some guitarists change their guitar strings is when they break one? Although this is a common string-changing scenario, it doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. While some guitarists think you shouldn’t go through the effort of changing guitar strings unless they’re broken, it comes down to this: […]

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