As an undergraduate oboe performance major, I was astounded at what little training my music education colleagues received in double reed instruments. At my alma mater (Baylor University), a semester was split between oboe and bassoon techniques. It wasn’t until … Continued
Students put their instruments through a LOT – daily practice in a variety of conditions and venues, outdoor concerts, marching band, school band rooms, and encounters with the occasional little brother or sister! One of the most overlooked, under-appreciated and … Continued
Practically every day in our repair shop we come across emergency repairs. What we discover is that these repairs are not a result of a traumatic injury but rather a slow break down over time from lack of regular maintenance. … Continued
Undoubtedly over the course of the past few weeks you have seen the posts going around on Facebook and other social media outlets as well as some news services about the state legislature of Massachusetts requiring the sterilization of all … Continued
As the marching season comes to a close, many instruments will be put away until Summer Band Camp. If you are indeed going to put your instrument up for an extended period of time, here are some helpful tips to … Continued
We have all been there. You are in a practice room or on a stage and that dreaded silence killer comes back to haunt you, the sticky pad! Before we can address how to fix the sticky pad we need … Continued
Why is chemical cleaning your brass instruments so important? No one would use a table setting day after day without proper cleaning, yet brass instruments are played continuously without regard for health, sanitary conditions, or the damaging effects on the … Continued