January 31, 2020
When Should You Buy a Professional Trumpet? Once a trumpet player has fully committed to their instrument, is playing very advanced pieces, and is perhaps even ready to make trumpet playing part of their career, investing in a professional trumpet is in order. Professional trumpets can be quite expensive, so be sure you’re ready to […]
January 24, 2020
When should you step up to an intermediate clarinet? Once a clarinet student (no matter their age) has fully committed to their instrument and is performing more advanced pieces in varied musical ensembles, a more advanced clarinet is in order. Step-up models of clarinets offer: a larger and fuller sound, clearer and more pleasant tone, […]
January 20, 2020
Like violins and violas, acoustic cellos come in different sizes to accommodate different players. Cellos are sized according to the length of the back of the instrument. Older teenagers and adults play full size, or 4/4, cellos. These are 30 inches in length or sometimes slightly longer depending on the manufacturer. Younger and/or shorter students will find […]
January 7, 2020
A good reed is hard to find. Many clarinet and saxophone players spend the better part of their time searching through a box of reeds trying to find the best ones. If you’ve played through a box of reeds and have separated the good from the bad, you may be wondering if there’s anything you […]
December 5, 2019
What are the various saxophone finishes, lacquers and materials available on the market? Saxophones are generally made of brass (though you’ll find some made of bronze or sterling silver) and can be found with many different finishes and lacquers. There are definitely some unique saxophone finishes out there! You might wonder if those different looks […]
December 4, 2019
What is a trombone? The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. The trombonist produces sound on the trombone when his or her vibrating lips (embouchure) cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate. Most trombones have a telescoping slide mechanism, which varies the length of the instrument, that the player moves […]
November 1, 2019
If your child’s music studies concentrate on playing one specific instrument, such as the guitar or piano, the maintenance and costs associated with that instrument will make up the bulk of your expenses. One of the biggest debates surrounding enrolling a child in music lessons is how much– if any– are the parents willing to […]
September 28, 2019
The Saxophone Family The saxophone is a relatively new instrument that was invented during the 1840’s by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musician and instrument maker. The saxophone, patented in 1846, is a member of the woodwind family, usually made of brass, and played with a single reed mouthpiece, similar to that of the clarinet. The […]
September 19, 2019
What’s the difference between a baritone and euphonium? It’s possible that you have never heard of a euphonium and the word “baritone” may make you think of the male voice or perhaps baritone saxophone. In fact, they are both brass instruments, invented fairly recently (in the 1840’s). The confusion between a euphonium and baritone is […]
September 16, 2019
If you want to know how to read trombone music, you’ll need to learn about the musical alphabet, the staff, bass clef, musical notes, and time signatures. These elements are crucial for learning how to read trombone sheet music. Plus, most of the core principles of reading trombone music will apply to other instruments as […]
