April 21, 2021
How To Talk To Parents About Step Up Instruments
Tips and resources for how to talk to parents about stepping up from a beginner instrument to an intermediate or advanced one.
Tag: reeds
When to Upgrade Your Reeds, Strings, and Mouthpieces
Every musician, from professional clarinetists to beginner saxophonists, understand the importance of high quality accessories. From reeds and strings to mouthpieces, every part of an instrument affects its sound. One thing that’s not so obvious, though, is when those accessories should be upgraded or replaced. From knowing when it’s time to replace reeds to understanding […]
March 14, 2020
VENN Advanced Synthetic Reed – A New Species of Reed
Selecting the right reed When it comes to choosing a reed, the choices can be daunting, especially for beginner or intermediate woodwind students who are still finding their sound and style. With so many reeds on the market, how do you know which one will work the best? There are two […]
January 7, 2020
Everyday Reed Maintenance Tips
A good reed is hard to find. Many clarinet and saxophone players spend the better part of their time searching through a box of reeds trying to find the best ones. If you’ve played through a box of reeds and have separated the good from the bad, you may be wondering if there’s anything you […]
March 24, 2019
It’s All About the Mouthpiece & Reed: Finding the Right Ones for Your Students
The mouthpiece and reed combination in clarinets and saxophones is critical to the success or failure of your students. Having the right ones means barely tolerating or not liking to play to absolutely loving playing and joining band. I see it happen all the time and it’s a beautiful thing. After all, mouthpiece and the reed […]
March 27, 2017
Cane vs. Synthetic Reeds: Pros and Cons
Whether you’re buying a new box of reeds for your saxophone or clarinet, you’re faced with the same dilemma. Should you buy cane reeds or synthetic reeds? You may have heard good things about both. While most musicians use basic cane reeds, synthetic reeds are becoming a popular alternative. Synthetic reeds can have a longer shelf-life and offer greater consistency. After all, synthetic mouthpieces exist, so why wouldn’t synthetic reeds? From sound quality to durability, we’ll cover […]
September 21, 2016
When’s the Right Time to Replace Clarinet Reeds?
Whether you’ve been taking clarinet lessons for two weeks or two years, knowing when to replace clarinet reeds can be tricky. Some musicians think reed replacement is a money-grab by reed manufacturers, while others understand that it’s just a trick of the trade. Regardless of your opinion, it’s important to understand that brand new reeds, […]
July 22, 2016
Tips for Reed Success: Break In, Rotate, and Properly Store Your Reeds
Dr. Eric Lau is Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of New Mexico and is the baritone saxophonist with the Iridium Quartet. For more information, go to EricLauSaxophone.com. A typical scene: It is the day of festival and one of your middle-school saxophonists has just chipped his or her one good reed and […]
September 1, 2015
How to Choose a Clarinet Reed
You can purchase the most expensive, handcrafted clarinet from the best music store in the country, but if the reed is subpar the clarinet will sound like a cheap, defective instrument purchased from a pawn shop. While every part of a clarinet serves its own purpose in providing that distinct ‘clarinet’ sound, some say […]