The road to success as a musician begins with learning how to hold your instrument properly. Always remember that the goal is to support your brass (also called brasswind) instrument, not to strangle it. Keep your hands and arms relaxed. Many music teachers speak of...

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your brass instrument in top condition. While trumpets, cornets, French horns, trombones, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas each have their own parts and design, their care is very much the same. All brass instruments require...

Congratulations on choosing the bass! The bass (pronounced base like in baseball) is the largest and deepest sounding instrument in the stringed instrument family. As a music student, or a parent of a music student, you will want to know these basics soon after buying...

Congratulations on choosing the cello! The cello (rhymes with Jell-O) is the second largest member of the stringed instrument family and produces a wonderful deep tone. As a music student, or a parent of a music student, you will want to know these basics soon after...

Congratulations on choosing the viola! The viola is the alto voice of the orchestral string world; it is in a lower pitch than a violin, but higher pitch than the cello. It is also an excellent first instrument, because it's available in fractional sizes, allowing...

Congratulations on choosing the violin! It is an excellent first instrument for young musicians because it's available in fractional sizes, allowing children to size up as they grow. As a music student, or a parent of a music student, you will want to know these...

Caring for your string instrument isn’t hard if you understand a few basics! Read what our orchestra instrument experts have to say, or download this handy PDF. Remember that your instrument is made of wood and can easily be damaged if not handled with care. Bumping...

One of the reasons it’s so fun to watch great musicians perform is that they have such a beautiful connection with their instruments. Developing that special relationship with your flute, piccolo, clarinet or oboe begins with learning to hold it the right way. What...

West Music Pro Tip Before You Start When someone talks about having correct finger placement when playing a stringed instrument, they are typically referring to two things: how you place your fingers on the strings and where you place your fingers on the strings....

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your woodwind instrument in top playing condition. While each instrument in the woodwind family is unique and in need their own care kits, some maintenance is universal. All woodwinds need regular cleaning and careful...