Category: Band & Orchestra

Violin Music Must Have

New Musician Must-Haves: Violin

So, your child has made the exciting choice to learn to play the violin. You have bought the instrument, but what do you need to do next? There are some important violin accessories that they will need to make the enjoyable journey into the world of the violin. These accessories should help their learning to […]

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What Are the Different Parts of the Saxophone?

The saxophone is one of those instruments that catch the eye and the ear of anyone lucky enough to be up close to one. Officially, it is a member of metal woodwinds, but it is often confused with with brass instruments. The saxophone was created way back in the 1840s by Belgian flautist, Adolphe Sax, […]

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Symphony Orchestra - Cello

New Musician Must-Haves: Cello

The cello is part of the violin family and is also known as the violoncello. The first cello was noted in the middle of the 16th century. Commonly, it is made of wood, which is shaped into a curves by heating the wood and bending it into place. Generally the tops are spruce wood and […]

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Does Your Instrument Case Need an Upgrade?

Does Your Instrument Case Need an Upgrade?

As a primary means of protecting your instrument, cases perform an essential function. However, instrument cases need to be in good shape in order to provide your instrument with the full protection it deserves. Since hard shell cases provide optimum protection, and are most often recommended by music teachers, we’ll focus on hard cases for […]

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Choosing the Right Trumpet Mouthpiece

I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a specialist on the trumpet – for the most part, I play a certain style of jazz and stay in the middle range of the horn. As such, I’m not always the best guy for certain types of gigs and sessions. I don’t play classical music, I’m not a […]

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Essential Saxophone Accessories for Beginners

If you’re new to playing the saxophone, there are quite a few different saxophone accessories available online and in music stores. Some of them are absolutely essential, some of them can be done without, and others are intended to be purely just for fun. Although the purchasing of “essential” saxophone accessories will evolve as you […]

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Changing Violin Strings

Changing Violin Strings: A Beginner’s Guide

One reason that parents often encourage their children to learn to play an instrument is that it provides a great opportunity to learn about responsibility. Owning a violin is a big responsibility, especially for children who are just starting to learn to play. There’s a lot to know about the proper care and maintenance of […]

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Trumpet Tips & Tricks

Trumpet Tips

When it comes to playing the trumpet, you can’t expect your child to become a master overnight- it takes plenty of practice and dedication before your child will even come close. Whether your child wants to play the trumpet on their own or as part of a school marching band, they’ll feel more comfortable playing […]

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Cello Rental or Purchase

Renting vs Buying an Instrument: A Parent’s Guide

Part of the challenge of getting your child started in band, orchestra, or private lessons for the first time (besides deciding on an instrument!) is deciding whether you should rent or buy an instrument. As a parent, there are pros and cons to each, just like there are pros and cons for your child, the […]

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Five Brass Instruments from Allora that Are Perfect for the Beginner Musician

Ideal for beginner to intermediate brass musicians, Allora manufactures high-quality instruments at a great price–and that’s the whole idea. Allora designs and manufactures German-designed saxophones, tubas, and horns, along with a line of accessories that are expertly designed for non-expert players. If you’re new to playing a brass instrument, Allora is the perfect place to […]

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