Woodwinds

What ever became of the clarinet choir? Sadly the popularity it experienced during the 1950s under the guidance of such greats as Don McCathren and Lucien Calliet faded as following decades saw school music programs contract, composers lose…
Read More...

"This wonderful book is a natural continuation of Schuring's effective work in the studio... I have begun quoting from it to my students already! Oboe Art and Method will soon become absolutely indispensable to today's serious oboist -…
Read More...

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…
Read More...

Armed Forces School of Music
Read More...

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…
Read More...

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.
Read More...

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…
Read More...

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…
Read More...

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…
Read More...

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…
Read More...

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.
Read More...

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.
Read More...

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.
Read More...

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…
Read More...