Q&A - Buy your next Clarinet

When you get excited about playing a musical  instrument, it's easy to go overboard and buy the most expensive instrument, to go all in. This is especially true if you are buying an instrument for your loved one.

The clarinet is no exception. In this article we'll go through common questions that come up when buying a clarinet.

What's your first priority when buying a clarinet? 

When buying a new clarinet, you want to think about the long term. Are you planning on committing to the instrument for a long time? Have you been playing for a while and looking for an upgrade? Buying a new clarinet only to keep it in the closet is basically the same as taking a good chunk of money and throwing it away, so look for long term use and cost-effective options – consider renting your instrument if you have any doubts. At our store you can find some of the best music lessons Sheffield has to offer to help you maintain your course on your new instrument.

Another long term consideration is how much your instrument will appreciate. Although a student clarinet may be a good instrument, it's better to think of it as an investment. Buying an instrument that's of a good model or high quality brand will often net you a gain over time since these instruments tend to rise in price. Professionals at our music shop Sheffield location can help you when looking for a new clarinet that will appreciate in time.

What are some reputable clarinet brands? Some of the most famous clarinet brands include Jupiter, Dixon, Amati, Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, Buffet-Crampon, Artley, and Armstrong. There are also lower priced clarinets from lesser known brands that are of good quality such as Lark and Orsi and Ripamonti. Evette and Bundy are two clarinet brands that are no longer in production, older brands that are known to be sound and decently priced.

If you need information, a repair or help with your woodwind instrument, please feel free to contact us on 0114 2303 400

Woodwind Instruments: What they are and How to Play Them

Woodwind instruments, also referred to as wind instruments, are a category of musical implements that are played by blowing wind on one end to produce sound on the other. They are hollow on the inside and include a couple of keys on the outside which are used to vary the sound that comes out when blown.

Woodwind instruments vary in models and a good number are differentiated by the design of their mouthpiece. There is one category known as the Single reed, which means they have one reed at the mouth piece held in place by a special metal ligature. Clarinets and Saxophones have this mouthpiece design, hence are categorized as Single reed.

The double reeds have a pair of reeds on the mouthpiece tied to each other. Because of this design, it may be a bit difficult trying to play it for the first time. However, the advantage of the double reed design is that the player can produce long phrased musical notes in just one breath. Examples of the double reeds include the Bassoon and the Oboe. Additionally, you can also customize the double reed mouthpiece to tune it to a sound you prefer.

Some woodwind instruments like the transverse flute work differently. Air is blown across the mouthpiece as opposed to the above wind instruments where air is blown through them. However, the flute also contains extra holes on the top which functions similarly to the keys found in the single reeds and double reeds.

Given the difficulty involved in playing a distinctive tune with wind instruments, it is important to first get some music lessons on the basics. There are several music shops in Sheffield where you can learn to play your first musical instrument. A notable music shop is the  Bluenote Music Shop.

If you need information, a repair or help with your woodwind instrument, please feel free to contact us on 0114 2303 400

Instrument servicing & Repair from Blue Note Music Shop, Sheffield

If you are looking for the best music shop Sheffield has to offer, then you have come to the right place. Our instrument servicing and repair services are fast, efficient, and effective. We are authorized to service and repair all major brands of orchestral instruments, and specialize in repairs of woodwind and brass instruments such as flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and horns for both professional and student players in the Sheffield area. We perform servicing and repair work in-house, rather than outsourcing, and have authorized technicians that are highly skilled and experienced with the latest technological advancements to ensure that your musical instruments are at their best.

If you have problems with your woodwind or brass instrument, we can help you. Everything from maintenance or initial setting up of your instrument to advanced repairs is handled by our experienced technicians. Woodwind players of all levels can find small services such as replacing springs, pads, and cork on damaged instruments as well as large-scale types of repairs such as replacing tenons, complete restoration of mechanical components, and straightening bent components. We also have the equipment and experience to handle the needs of professional and student brass players. We can repair valves, fix dents, and provide custom instrument repairs.

Using the latest technology, we can find leaks that would normally go undetected to make sure that pads on your woodwind instrument are placed optimally. We can also help you customize your instrument to your need, with special pads, key risers, screws, or rods to make sure that you are as comfortable as you need to create great music. We also provide instrument cleaning services, ensuring that your trumpet, horn, or tuba sounds like new by using advanced technology to remove all debris and gunk from the insides and to make the exterior shine.

If you need information, a repair or help with your woodwind instrument, please feel free to contact us on 0114 2303 400

Our Music Shop, Sheffield

At our Sheffield music shop we offer music lessons for students of all ages. We have a music room built specifically for this purpose that allows us to offer lessons in all orchestral woodwind instruments, including recorder, saxophone, flute, clarinet, bassoon, and oboe. Our music shop also has piano teaching rooms where students can take lessons with qualified piano teachers.

It is never too late to start learning a musical instrument! We can provide you with everything you need to start, from the best instruments for a beginner in affordable price rangers, to a wide variety of sheet music available on location. Didn't find what you need? No need to worry! At our website you can find even more sheet music and musical products and we can order anything that you need to get started today!

Our teachers are highly qualified and experienced and will impress you both with their knowledge and abilities as well as with their pedagogical skills and professionalism. We offer a wide variety of lesson options. You can take individual lessons with one of your teachers or, if you prefer, you can take a group lesson. We purposefully keep our groups small, of only up to three people, to make sure that you get the attention you need to master a new musical instrument. You can also customize your lessons to make sure that they are right for you and for your schedule. Depending on your age and abilities, you can take lessons as short as fifteen minutes or as long as a full hour.

We pride ourselves in being the best music shop Sheffield has to offer. You will have no problem finding music to play as you progress through your lessons thanks to our large sheet music collection conveniently located on site. It is never too late to start, visit us today!

Call us today on 01142 303 400 or click here to organise an appointment for advice on buying the right instrument for you.