September 22, 2023
By Dr. David W. Vandewalker For most of my childhood I had two passions: music and bikes. I would wake up excited to go to school because I enjoyed hanging out with my friends. I would jump on my bike riding to my friend’s house; together we would zoom off to school. It was always […]
By Dr. David W. Vandewalker The ever-increasing demands on students and teachers seems to be at an all-time high. While we are thankful that the most extreme difficulties of the pandemic are behind us, it is becoming evident that the impact of the recent challenges are large and will continue to have a significant effect […]
January 20, 2023
The violin is an important instrument in innumerable musical genres and traditions. It has origins dating back over 1,000 years and, for the most part, has existed in its current form for nearly 500 years. Early History The exact origins of bowed string instruments are unclear. There is evidence of bowed string instruments dating back […]
April 14, 2022
updated 4/10/2022 Finding the right instrument is incredibly important. And while student instruments can be great for beginners just getting started, they can eventually hinder the progress of students who are further along their musical journey. If your child has become comfortable with their instrument and is committed to playing, it may be time to […]
April 21, 2021
Tips and resources for how to talk to parents about stepping up from a beginner instrument to an intermediate or advanced one.
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 […]
April 16, 2021
As the parent of a trombone student, you’ve probably been to your fair share of student performances and had plenty of exposure to the pleasant (and not so pleasant) sounds of your child practicing. While you might think you know your way around your child’s instrument, there’s probably a lot you don’t know. The quality […]
Learning the clarinet isn’t easy! If your child is playing on an instrument that doesn’t fit their needs, succeeding in music becomes far more challenging. Everything from finding the motivation to play to mastering clarinet fundamentals becomes more difficult when they outgrow their current instrument. Stepping up to a more advanced instrument will inspire your clarinet […]
April 15, 2021
Whether your child has been playing the trumpet now for only a few months or quite a few years, you may be asking yourself the questions ‘Should I upgrade their trumpet?’ and “When is the right time to upgrade a trumpet?” When a child first starts learning the trumpet they generally begin with lessons on […]
If you’re a parent with limited experience in music, it can be hard to tell the difference between a student model saxophone and an intermediate or professional instrument. The truth is, details that seem small or insignificant actually make a difference in the sound quality and playability of these instruments. This means that your child’s […]
