August 4, 2018
Many parents with a young, excited musician often struggle with one thing: does purchasing or renting a violin make more sense, at least initially? Many parents opt for renting a violin, with the logic being that their son or daughter may eventually lose interest in the instrument. Others are concerned that their child will grow […]
August 3, 2018
Trumpets and cornets look and often sound very similar. In fact, it’s a common mistake for people to think that a cornet is just a short trumpet. While there are many similarities between these two brass instruments, there are quite a few differences between cornets and trumpets. If you’re the parent of a child who […]
August 1, 2018
Hate it or love it, the first day of school is right around the corner. And, if you’re a proud member of your school’s marching band, so is the marching band season. Whether you’re dreading band camps and after school practices in the hot sunshine or football game performances and never ending parades, getting back […]
July 27, 2018
Renting vs. Buying Part of the challenge of a student getting started in band for the first time is making the decision to rent or buy your first instrument. There are definite pros and cons to both as a musician, but many folks haven’t played since middle school or at all. I know that when I find myself […]
July 23, 2018
A step-up instrument is the instrument that gives you a “step-up” from student models to a professional model. They are the in between instrument that works perfect for learners making their way to a professional status. The step-up instrument is the perfect transitional tool between the two. These are great instruments to learn from and […]
June 4, 2018
Whether you’re upgrading your gear or moving onto another instrument altogether, you might be wondering what you should do with your old stuff. Sure, you can let it collect dust in the basement or keep it around the house “just in case” you change your mind, but musical instruments, recording equipment, and accessories tend to […]
April 26, 2018
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or professional trumpet player, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to improve your trumpet playing. There are lots of trumpet playing tips and tricks out there, but you don’t need to look for strange and obscure ways to improve your playing. Often the tried-and-true methods are the best […]
April 19, 2018
Vandoren is one of the most respected companies in woodwind accessory manufacturing. The French company makes saxophone mouthpieces and clarinet mouthpieces, saxophone reeds and clarinet reeds, and ligatures and caps that are used by beginners and professional players around the world. Vandoren was founded in 1905 by Eugène Van Doren who was a clarinetist for the Paris Opera. The company moved to 56 […]
April 17, 2018
The guitar may be the backbone of rock & roll, but the saxophone is a prominent instrument in a variety of popular genres, including jazz and blues. Its players have been some of the most talented in history, and their music will live for centuries to come. While there have been innumerable saxophonists over the […]
April 15, 2018
When it comes to music, the human voice is about as expressive as it gets. From expressing the highest highs to the lowest lows, its ability to express emotion in its truest sense is unparalleled. That said, with enough finesse and practice, the saxophone can become one of the most vocal sounding instruments out there. […]
