October 22, 2017
The bass has been a staple of popular music for decades. While most people today think of electric bass guitars, which feature prominently throughout many genres of music though they only appeared on the market in the 1950’s, there are actually several different types of bass. Bass guitars can be electric or acoustic, they can […]
August 29, 2017
The four main instruments in the string family are the violin, viola, cello, and the double bass. When it comes to the cello and the bass, they may look similar but are actually very different. From size and tuning to the sound produced and how they’re played, we’ll go through the main differences between the […]
December 23, 2024
Two of the greatest bass players on the planet, John Patitucci and Linda May Han Oh, share stories and strategies to help students and teachers navigate the electric-acoustic divide. Plus: Gear advice and accessories picks. For bassists, life typically begins in one of two ways: on upright, through school orchestra programs, or on electric, […]
July 23, 2024
Double-reed instruments are some of the most unique members of the woodwinds family. Unlike the clarinet and saxophone, which utilize a single reed mounted on a mouthpiece, double-reed instruments feature—you guessed it—two reeds vibrating against each other to create an unmistakable sound. The most popular double-reed instruments are the oboe and bassoon, but the category […]
September 20, 2017
One thing which commonly draws aspiring musicians to the bassoon, apart from the warm, dark, reedy timbre, is the level of customizability that the instrument has. The bassoon, a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that’s a popular instrument in orchestras, concert band, and chamber music, is popular not only for its sound, but […]
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 […]
November 20, 2016
The process of purchasing a bassoon for your child can be difficult. Not only is a bassoon an investment in your child’s future, but it can be an expensive one. Throughout the shopping process, several questions need to be asked and answered before you can make the best choice. Do I really need to buy a […]
December 12, 2015
If you’ve been browsing the web for an oboe or bassoon for your child, chances are you’ve seen the term “double reed” used to describe them. Unless you play a wind instrument yourself or are very familiar with the instruments, this term is likely foreign to you. Unique within the family of wind instruments, double […]
August 21, 2024
Imagine that a gifted drummer, guitarist or pianist just started their freshman year at your school. The student’s middle-school teacher even passed along a note praising their abilities. As the band director, you’d love to get them involved in the music program. But so far, they haven’t shown any interest in joining. Most band and […]
July 11, 2022
Every year, millions of kids are introduced to music for the first time through their school’s band program. For many parents, this is their first experience with band and orchestra, too. The experience doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’re a first-time band parent, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll get you up to […]
