Woodwinds

There are very few problems on a bassoon that cannot be fixed. The object of this article is to aid you in knowing of the problems. Whether this knowledge leads you to reject the instrument or helps you in negotiating the price is up to…
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Armed Forces School of Music
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There has been a debate over the years regarding the question of materials used for manufacturing both instruments and mouthpieces. A great number of saxophonists believe that metal mouthpieces are exclusively for playing jazz, and that…
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If I'm to be completely honest, I'd have to say that, more than anything, I chose to play the saxophone because of how it looked. Maybe that's shallow, but 11-year-olds are supposed to be shallow.
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Granted you won't be hearing that one anytime soon on Letterman, but as with the best humor, there is at least a grain of truth to the point being made. When it comes to the saxophone, understanding and mastering the required fingerings is…
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In this article, I hope to offer some sound advice toward the development of a quality, in tune, exciting sax section. Many of today's sections have difficulties that can be readily remedied through easily developed techniques in rehearsal…
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The revolutionary new Masters series represents a whole new direction in clarinet mouthpiece design. With the new approach taken to the tip opening and facing length relationship and the innovative chamber adjustments, Vandoren has created…
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Saxophone players obsess about mouthpieces and spend a lot of time and money experimenting to find the "perfect" mouthpiece. I know professional musicians who own 20 or more saxophone mouthpieces, and are constantly searching for a better…
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A properly made reed, in tandem with a good mouthpiece, well-serviced instrument, and fundamentally sound embouchure and air support, is essential for producing a good, characteristic clarinet sound.
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Look for reeds with an overall golden color. Avoid reeds that have a greenish tint or a dark brown tint. The cane used to make these reeds has not been cured properly.
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Due to the positive response, we received from ‘A Crash Course on Vandoren Bb Clarinet Mouthpieces,’ we wanted to make sure we had a similar all-inclusive guide for the extensive line of Vandoren saxophone mouthpieces.
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As the mouthpiece of choice for classical saxophonists around the world, the Optimum series provides ease of emission, precise articulation, and a rich even tone. The conception of this series stems from research on the external shape…
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It's no secret that oboe reeds are the most temperamental component of the instrument, an ever-changing variable that, even for professional players, rarely remains consistent from one week to the next. Some people even claim that the reed…
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I did not realize how fortunate I was as a child until I started teaching oboe privately. My parents bought me a new wooden oboe and found a good source of handmade reeds for me that were provided for 6 years. Many students are not so…
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