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Musical Instruments

Concert Percussion Tuning Know-How

Master these tips on how to tune concert snare drums, bass drums and toms.

How to Add Versatility to Your Front Ensemble

Add versatility to your mallet ensemble with a durable field frame system that allows you to mount cymbals, toms, snare drums and more, providing percussionists with an array of sounds within arm’s reach.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Flute

From ancient times to the present, the flute has been found in just about every culture in the world. Here are five reasons why the flute is so popular.

Ukuleles: Why You Need Them

Introduce students to harmony instruments in elementary and middle school with the ukulele — and have a ton of fun doing it!

All About Vibraphone Bars

Silver or gold bars? Matte or glossy finish? Here’s a quick guide to understanding vibraphone bars.

What Marimba Should I Purchase for My School?

There are many things to consider when selecting a marimba for your program. Read on for our tips!

Set Up Your First-Year Flutes for Success

Help your beginning flute players with their embouchures, posture, note-bending, intentional listening and more.

Start a Beginning Percussion Class

The benefits of a beginning percussion class outweigh any concerns about enrollment, instrumentation or instruments. You will be able to spend more time with your wind players and percussion students.

Bucket Drumming: An Inexpensive, Durable and Portable Option

Enliven your elementary music classroom with cheap and mobile bucket drums — your students will have fun and learn about percussion, marching and more!

Prolong the Life of Your Instruments with Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Add years to the life of your winds and percussion instruments with a regular maintenance routine.

Start a Flute Choir

A specialized flute choir has incredible range and can play music that was originally composed for full orchestras, choirs or wind ensembles, which is nothing short of amazing!

Fix It: Tips for Teaching Rhythmic Accuracy on the Piano

Try these expert tips to help students understand and master rhythm and pulse.

Navigating Vibrato on Woodwinds

Try this unconventional approach with your high school winds section to master vibrato.

Fix It: Tips for Teaching Basic Piano Technique

Try these expert tips to fix common errors that piano students make.

Fix It: Tips for Teaching Snare Drum Basics

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that snare drum students make.

Fix It: Teaching Tips for Playing Even Scales on the Piano

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that piano students make when playing scales.

Fix It: Piano Pedaling Teaching Tips

Fix these common pedaling mistakes that piano students make.

Making the Switch: Flute to French Horn

Try this unconventional solution when you need to build your horn section: Choose your horn players from your pool of flutists.

Fix It: Vibraphone Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that vibraphone students make.

Fix It: Snare Drum Rolls Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors students make when performing snare drum rolls.

Enhance Snare Drum Performance with Instrument Selection, Preparation and Tuning

You can improve and enhance your snare drum performances with instrument selection, preparation and tuning.

Fix It: Bass Drum Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that bass drum students make.

Fix It: Trumpet Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that trumpet students make.

Fix It: Timpani Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that timpani students make.

Fix It: Trombone Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that trombone students make.

4 Steps in Caring for Mallet Percussion Instruments

Take proactive steps to protect your marimbas, vibraphones and xylophones.

Fix It: Clarinet Teaching Tips

Try these expert tips on fixing common errors that clarinet students make.

Pick the Right Drumsticks and Mallets

Percussionists have important factors to consider when choosing which sticks and mallets to include in their arsenal.

10 Tips to Start a Middle School Drumline

Middle school music teachers should consider adding a drumline to give students a challenging and fun musical outlet.

Electric String Ensemble Checklist

Interested in adding an electric string ensemble to your music program? Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Deconstructing Mallets: Find the Best Mallets for Your Percussion Section

Understanding the different parts of a mallet will help you make the smartest selections for your percussion section.

4 Tips to a Stronger Low Saxophone Section

Move the needle forward with your low saxophone section with these four tips.

Setting Up Jazz Figures on the Drum Set

Try GRAMMY-nominated artist Sammy K’s systematic approach to setting up jazz figures.

7 Ways to Help Band Directors Tackle Strings Education

The skills you have honed to be a successful band director and performer can be applied to tackle strings education.

How to Change Timpani Drum Heads

It’s important for band directors to know the ins and outs of all their instruments. Use this step-by-step guide to change timpani heads — a task that needs to be done every year or two.

The Importance of Saxophone Mouthpieces

With the right mouthpiece, students will likely experience far better results in response, tuning, articulation and tonal-dynamic control.

How to Choose the Right Mallet

The mallet you need will depend on the instrument, music, repertoire and style. Do your homework before starting your mallet collection.

Teaching Musicality to Percussionists

Try this four-step process to help percussion students communicate expressively through music.

10 Things to Know When Buying Front Ensemble Equipment

Do your research and make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing marimbas, vibraphones and other front ensemble instruments.

How to Lubricate Trombone Slides

Regularly lubricate your trombone slides to keep them moving lightning fast!

Teach Your Students the Best Way to Oil Valves

Students should know how to properly oil piston valves to solve sticky valve problems.

Fix Winds Instruments in a Pinch

Build a toolkit and sharpen your skills to make small repairs to your students’ woodwinds and brass instruments.

Add These 3 Exercises to Your Percussion Practice Sessions

Be a better percussionist by regularly working on your reading, rolls and listening skills.

How to Choose the Right Mouthpiece

Consider these five tips when selecting a mouthpiece for your winds instrument.

Off-Season Care and Maintenance for Percussion Instruments

Keep up maintenance and care of your percussion equipment after every season to ensure that it remains in top shape.

Pros and Cons for Pickups, Microphones and Electric Strings

When you need to project more sound from your violin, viola or cello, try a pickup, microphone or an electric instrument.

New to Teaching Strings?

If you are new to teaching strings, don’t panic. Top string professionals offer advice as you launch into uncharted territory.

The Venova: Game Changer for Elementary School Students

This innovative instrument is much more than a curiosity. It will change teaching winds at the elementary level.

Blending Brass

Band directors and music educators can harness the strength of brass instruments to build a powerful ensemble sound.