If you love playing music and are thinking about getting a woodwind instrument you know how expensive they can be. If you are thinking about investing in a professional grade instrument instead of a student grade one it will definitely qualify as an investment that you will need to look after properly. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to take care of your single or double reed instrument so that it will look and sound beautiful for years to come.
You need to look closely at the mouthpiece of any unit you are thinking about purchasing. Single reeded variants will usually have a plastic piece with a metal clamp that holds down a single piece of reed. Is it cracked or is the metal clamp missing? These can be inexpensive to replace but it can be an indication that there are other problems with a particular unit. Double reeded instruments will have a hole at the top where you plug the reed in. You clamp it with your lips and blow in order to make music.
Single reeded instruments include the saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet. Double reeded woodwinds include the oboe, bassoon and English horn. Some instrument, such as the saxophone, are often made of metal while instruments such as the clarinet, bassoon and oboe are usually made of wood.
Look inside the sections before you agree to buy anything. Does it look like the moisture has been wiped out every time the unit was used? If you are looking at a wooden unit you will want to make sure that moisture has not caused the unit to warp or swell. If it has, this may mean that you will never be able to play your purchase and it may mean you have wasted your money.
While some instruments come in a single piece many woodwinds are actually designed to be disassembled and stored in a case. If this is the case with yours it is important to pay attention to the cork that is located at the joints. If it is dry, condition it with wax so the sections can be joined and taken apart easily.
Most woodwind instruments have pads that can be pressed with the fingers to cover and open holes. These pads are often worked by means of metal buttons that are located close to where a player's fingers would naturally rest during play. You do need to check them every so often to make sure that they are easy to open and close. Check the felt that lines these pads as they may need replacing from time to time.
It is a good idea to wipe off the outside of the instrument from time to time. If you have a saxophone or an instrument that is made from metal, wiping down the surface with a soft cloth and using an appropriate metal cleaner will keep your instrument looking its best.
If you are very nervous about whether a second hand instrument is worth buying you may want to have it inspected by someone at a local instrument shop. They may also have second hand or refurbished woodwinds that you may be able to purchase and supplies that you can use to care for an instrument that you do buy.
You need to look closely at the mouthpiece of any unit you are thinking about purchasing. Single reeded variants will usually have a plastic piece with a metal clamp that holds down a single piece of reed. Is it cracked or is the metal clamp missing? These can be inexpensive to replace but it can be an indication that there are other problems with a particular unit. Double reeded instruments will have a hole at the top where you plug the reed in. You clamp it with your lips and blow in order to make music.
Single reeded instruments include the saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet. Double reeded woodwinds include the oboe, bassoon and English horn. Some instrument, such as the saxophone, are often made of metal while instruments such as the clarinet, bassoon and oboe are usually made of wood.
Look inside the sections before you agree to buy anything. Does it look like the moisture has been wiped out every time the unit was used? If you are looking at a wooden unit you will want to make sure that moisture has not caused the unit to warp or swell. If it has, this may mean that you will never be able to play your purchase and it may mean you have wasted your money.
While some instruments come in a single piece many woodwinds are actually designed to be disassembled and stored in a case. If this is the case with yours it is important to pay attention to the cork that is located at the joints. If it is dry, condition it with wax so the sections can be joined and taken apart easily.
Most woodwind instruments have pads that can be pressed with the fingers to cover and open holes. These pads are often worked by means of metal buttons that are located close to where a player's fingers would naturally rest during play. You do need to check them every so often to make sure that they are easy to open and close. Check the felt that lines these pads as they may need replacing from time to time.
It is a good idea to wipe off the outside of the instrument from time to time. If you have a saxophone or an instrument that is made from metal, wiping down the surface with a soft cloth and using an appropriate metal cleaner will keep your instrument looking its best.
If you are very nervous about whether a second hand instrument is worth buying you may want to have it inspected by someone at a local instrument shop. They may also have second hand or refurbished woodwinds that you may be able to purchase and supplies that you can use to care for an instrument that you do buy.
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