A Glance at Trombone Slides
One recent morning, woke up at my usual five o’clock hour and started my routine. Fed the dog, made coffee in my big blue mug, sat on my...
Reeds and Mouthpieces: A perfect marriage?
Recently, a store owner contacted me to talk about a request he received from one of his regular band director customers. The instructor...
Reflections of a BIR tech.
2021 begins as does the next decade in my career as a Band Instrument Repair technician. I started repairing in 1990 by joining...
To oil, or not to oil?
For decades, I’ve heard many opinions about oiling woodwind instruments, specifically clarinets and oboes, from players and teachers. ...
How to deal with the coronavirus and other nasties in your instruments
The news, Facebook, Twitter, internet, all media outlets are full of the most recent scourge to the planet; the coronavirus. Many books...
Looking for Brass: Details on buying a pre-owned trumpet.
I recently had a parent bring in a trumpet they picked up at a flea market for twenty-five bucks. The problem? None of the slides...
My kid joined the school band. Now what?
Summer is full of pool time, camping, beaches, and other family times. But it seems every year, summer break gets shorter and shorter. ...