As a beginner who is just starting to work with a woodwind instrument, you know that there is a lot to learn. Not only do you need to learn how to read music and develop your playing technique, you also need to learn how to take care of your single or double reed instrument. Here is what you need to learn to make sure that the instrument you are playing looks and sounds great for years to come.
If you have taken a close look at a saxophone or clarinet, you have likely seen what appears to be a piece of bamboo or wood clamped onto the mouthpiece. That is a single reed. Other instruments such as the oboe, bassoon and English horn have different mouthpieces that look like a single piece of wood that has been folded in half with a space in between. That is also the reed. When the player clamps the end with their lips and blows through, the wind causes the mouthpiece to vibrate.
If you are new to the world of woodwinds you may be surprised at the variety of options available. They tend to fall into two categories. The type of mouthpiece will determine which category a particular option will fall into. Clarinets, saxophones and bass clarinets have a single reed. Oboes, English horns and bassoons have a mouthpiece that is made from two pieces of reed that are strapped together.
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.
Cleaning the outside of your instrument is not hard and it does need to be done on a regular basis. Acids in our skin can eventually damage the finish regardless of whether you play a metal or wooden instrument. Make sure that if you do use a cleaning product when wiping down your instrument that it is specially designed for the material you are using on it.
There are many places where you can purchase supplies such as reeds, cleaning products and other items that are needed to look after your instrument properly. Building a good relationship with the staff at these stores can be a good idea as you may need their services if your instrument ever needs repairs or more intensive TLC. If you know other players, you may want to ask them where they go to purchase supplies and have their instruments tuned up.
If you have taken a close look at a saxophone or clarinet, you have likely seen what appears to be a piece of bamboo or wood clamped onto the mouthpiece. That is a single reed. Other instruments such as the oboe, bassoon and English horn have different mouthpieces that look like a single piece of wood that has been folded in half with a space in between. That is also the reed. When the player clamps the end with their lips and blows through, the wind causes the mouthpiece to vibrate.
If you are new to the world of woodwinds you may be surprised at the variety of options available. They tend to fall into two categories. The type of mouthpiece will determine which category a particular option will fall into. Clarinets, saxophones and bass clarinets have a single reed. Oboes, English horns and bassoons have a mouthpiece that is made from two pieces of reed that are strapped together.
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.
Cleaning the outside of your instrument is not hard and it does need to be done on a regular basis. Acids in our skin can eventually damage the finish regardless of whether you play a metal or wooden instrument. Make sure that if you do use a cleaning product when wiping down your instrument that it is specially designed for the material you are using on it.
There are many places where you can purchase supplies such as reeds, cleaning products and other items that are needed to look after your instrument properly. Building a good relationship with the staff at these stores can be a good idea as you may need their services if your instrument ever needs repairs or more intensive TLC. If you know other players, you may want to ask them where they go to purchase supplies and have their instruments tuned up.
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