May 27, 2016
While the clarinet is a fun and versatile woodwind instrument to play and learn, the process can be challenging and confusing, especially for those who are new to the instrument. Whether you feel out of breath when you play, aren’t sure how to maintain or clean your instrument, or are confused about breaking in reeds, […]
May 23, 2016
Whether you’re a new or seasoned trombonist, you’ve likely heard your band or orchestra teacher make reference to the term “vibrato”. Vibrato is a music embellishment that’s produced by varying a note’s pitch, amplitude, or both by going slightly above and below the note in a regular, repeated fashion. There aren’t many method books that […]
May 19, 2016
For many musicians, an instrument is one of the most important things they own. A musician’s instrument is the vessel that communicates their soul to the world, as well as the tool of their trade. In other words, a musician’s instrument is the physical manifestation of their talent, their skill, and their passion. Though every […]
May 17, 2016
Summer is right around the corner and, as a parent or guardian, you’re probably looking for ways to keep your children occupied. Whether your teen is thinking about majoring in music in college or your middle schooler is just getting acquainted with their band or orchestra instrument, there are a variety of summer music camps […]
May 11, 2016
As the worldwide leader in cymbals since 1623, Zildjian is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring a better musical experience to the drumming community. One area where all drummers commonly express dissatisfaction is the use of neoprene pads, mutes, and other dampening devices on cymbals to play and practice at a reasonable volume. […]
May 9, 2016
Learning how to play the viola can be a fun and exciting adventure, but getting started can be difficult for some violists- especially those who are very young or have never played an instrument before. Whether you’re a beginner violist or simply feel like one after months of no practice, there are a few important […]
May 5, 2016
Whether you’re new to playing the cello or haven’t picked up the instrument for a couple decades, you can’t expect to become a master overnight- it will take plenty of practice, determination, and dedication before you’ll even come close. Whether you’d like to eventually play the cello in a professional band or orchestra or just […]
May 3, 2016
If you asked any orchestra director which family of instruments offer the greatest range of expression, intensity, and nuance they’d probably say the orchestral string family. The orchestral string family is composed of instruments that are played by sliding a bow across the strings. Due to their range of tones, the violin and the cello […]
April 29, 2016
The mouthpiece is arguably the most important part of any brass instrument, including trumpets. Without a mouthpiece, there’s no sound. And with a high-quality mouthpiece, the sound is crisp and clear. Although most trumpet players choose their mouthpiece purely out of personal preference, it’s important to understand how a mouthpiece is crafted to maximize sound. […]
April 27, 2016
While purchasing a used flute is more economical and provides a better short-term value, particularly for brand new students, many used flutes sold on sites like eBay and Craigslist are in questionable condition. There are several common problems that show up in flute after flute, and most of these problems will need to be addressed […]
