May 15, 2016
A huge part of being a successful clarinet student and performer is choosing the right mouthpiece. Whether you’re replacing a damaged mouthpiece or are looking for an upgrade to improve your sound and playing experience, you’ll quickly find that there are a variety of clarinet mouthpieces to choose from. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong mouthpiece can […]
May 13, 2016
When it comes to saxophones, there are four major varieties: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Among these, the alto and tenor saxophones have become favorites among musicians, composers, and listeners. Professional musicians, including John Coltrane (tenor) and Charlie Parker (alto), have brought the two types of saxophones into the mainstream. While both saxophones are often […]
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 […]
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 […]
April 20, 2016
When you play the saxophone, you should expect to have some trouble with your reeds. Finding a reed that produces a great sound is one hurdle but, even if you find the perfect set of reeds, you’ll still have to adjust them so you can achieve the sound you want. There are numerous ways to […]
April 18, 2016
Although the flute isn’t commonly heard in rock or pop music, a number of popular rock and pop bands and songs have prominently featured the flute in their music. Widely recognized as the man who introduced the flute to rock music, Ian Anderson remains one of the most highly regarded flutists in contemporary music. So […]
April 16, 2016
Even if your child isn’t learning how to play the trombone or trumpet from a professional band or orchestra teacher, you may still be curious about the key differences between the two instruments. Although they both belong to the brass family of instruments and are often featured side by side in marching bands and musical […]
April 11, 2016
In general, a beautiful clarinet sound is considered to have five different qualities: depth, stability, focus, clarity, and an appropriate balance of “ring” and “darkness” that’s usually referred to as color. Unfortunately, there are a variety of mistakes or bad habits that can have a negative impact on the above qualities, making your clarinet sound […]
