Category: Buyer’s Guides

How to Choose a Music Lesson Program for Your Child

Saxophone Ligatures: Choosing the Best One

Saxophonists, like any other musicians, are known to do what they can to produce the best possible sound from their instrument. Sometimes this means practicing for several hours a day and other times it means experimenting with the instrument itself to determine what, if anything, has the most beneficial effect on the sound produced. Some […]

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Tips to Get the Most from Your Violin Lessons

Essential Violin Accessories for Students

So, your child has decided to take violin lessons and you couldn’t be more excited- until you start thinking about the laundry list of accessories you’ll need to purchase in addition to purchasing the instrument itself. Which accessories are essential and which can they do without? Many of the accessories available on the market are […]

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Tuba Buying Guide

Tuba Buying Guide

When it comes time for parents to buy their child their first tuba, things can quickly get complicated. What size does my child need? Why are tubas so expensive? Does the finish really matter? Is renting better than buying? Whether your child is upgrading from a rental to an owned instrument or has never even […]

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Cello Rosin: Everything You Need to Know

Cello Rosin: Everything You Need to Know

There is a variety of cello rosin available on the market and, if you’re a new cellist, you probably have no idea where to start. Whether you’re purchasing cello rosin for the first time or for the first time in awhile, this essential accessory is actually a bit of a mystery to most string musicians, […]

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Clarinet Mouthpieces: A Buying Guide

Clarinet Mouthpieces: A Buying Guide

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 […]

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The Difference Between a Beginner and Professional Mouthpieces

Alto & Tenor Sax: Similarities & Differences

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 […]

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Trumpet Mouthpieces: A Buying Guide

Trumpet Mouthpieces: A Buying Guide

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. […]

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Cases, Mutes, and Other Essential Viola Accessories

Cases, Mutes, and Other Essential Viola Accessories

If your child is interested in playing the viola, there are some important accessories you should purchase before you even think about signing them up for lessons. Not only can these accessories make their playing better and their practicing easier, but they will help make their overall experience more enjoyable. Provided your child doesn’t lose […]

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How to Choose the Right Violin Strings

How to Choose the Right Violin Strings

When it comes to violin strings, some violinists stick with the tried and true while others constantly seek new strings in the hopes of improving the sound of their instrument. Many musicians, students, and parents are amazed by the sheer amount of selection available and, since trying every type of string available on the market […]

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Sizing Your String Instrument

Sizing Your String Instrument

For no other class of instrument is correct sizing more important than it is for orchestral strings. When a young player picks up a violin, viola, cello or bass for the first time, it’s critical for the instrument’s size to match the player so that learning proper positioning and playing technique will be possible. And […]

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