April 30, 2017
If you or your child are interested in learning to play the trombone, there’s a lot you’re going to learn. Inexperienced and aspiring trombone players may not be aware, for example, that the mouthpiece is arguably the most important part of the instrument. To the untrained eye, trombone mouthpieces all appear to be similar in […]
April 20, 2017
During my time as a teacher I’ve witnessed countless students coming into band or lessons with a shiny, brand new horn, and the same old, beat up stock or nameless mouthpiece. The thinking goes – if I want to improve my sound, I need to buy a new instrument. It is a misguided thought process […]
April 18, 2017
The first and most important step to finding your ideal setup is selecting a good mouthpiece. The selection process will be different for every player for several reasons. Firstly, everyone has their own concept of sound. Secondly, every person’s physical makeup is unique, with different jaw and teeth structure, size and shape of mouth and […]
April 8, 2017
Young clarinetists often begin their instrumental music study with a plastic student clarinet, such as the Buffet Crampon Prodige. As a student grows in ability and musical maturity, however, the need for a wood clarinet arises. Advancing to a wood clarinet presents many, many options for the consumer and it can be confusing as to […]
March 25, 2017
The leadpipe of a trumpet, or the section of tubing that runs from the mouthpiece to the first tuning slide, is usually about eight inches long and has a very distinct purpose: to help with control of airflow and accuracy of pitch. The leadpipe tapers very gradually, starting out narrower at the mouthpiece, and allows […]
March 17, 2017
The best money you can send on a bassoon, besides purchasing the instrument itself, is investing in a durable case that fits your bassoon snugly. A proper case typically costs no more than a couple hundred dollars, and could prevent repairs that can cost double or triple that down the line. While hard cases and […]
February 19, 2017
So, you’ve been playing the clarinet for a while and want to start experimenting with its sound? Since a clarinet’s ligature affects how the reed vibrates, most clarinetists match their ligature to the type of music they’re playing. If you’re in the market for a new clarinet ligature, consider the type of clarinet you have, […]
February 4, 2017
So, your child wants to play the oboe. Whether you’re familiar with the instrument or not, taking the time to understand its key features is key. At the end of the day, buying an oboe is kind of like buying a car. Not only is it an investment in your child’s future, but you’ll need […]
February 2, 2017
If you use a gig bag to carry your instrument, you’ve probably been told “you should probably invest in a hard case” more than a few times. And you should. When it comes to hardshell cases and gig bags, each has their own unique pros and cons, and each should be used in different situations. […]
January 30, 2017
If you’ve never purchased high quality headphones before, you might not know which criteria to pay attention to. While there are plenty of models to choose from, your planned use should help you narrow down the list. Although things like sound quality are important for everybody, some prefer a lot of bass, while others prefer […]
