It is not uncommon for most beginning players to look at buying a second hand instrument. If you are looking at buying a used single or double reed instrument you need to know what to look for. If you have a little knowledge when you start your search it can increase your chances of getting a great deal instead of a dud that you will never end up playing.
You need to look closely at the mouthpiece of any unit you are thinking about purchasing. Single reeded variants will usually have a plastic piece with a metal clamp that holds down a single piece of reed. Is it cracked or is the metal clamp missing? These can be inexpensive to replace but it can be an indication that there are other problems with a particular unit. Double reeded instruments will have a hole at the top where you plug the reed in. You clamp it with your lips and blow in order to make music.
Many people are surprised by the wide variety of woodwinds that use reeds to create sound. The best known are the clarinet and saxophone. Others such as the oboe, English horn and bassoon are less well known but are still fun and challenging to play. There is quite a difference in the sounds that woodwind instruments make and part of this depends on the kind of reed that the instrument uses.
Taking care of your instrument is not hard. One of the biggest issues that you will face is making sure that all of the moisture is wiped out once you are done playing. Quite a bit of moisture can accumulate especially over the course of a performance or long practice session. You can use a soft, absorbent cloth to wipe out the inside of the instrument to get rid of any moisture.
Most woodwinds can be disassembled in order to put them in a case. The areas where the sections join together often have a layer of cork so that the sections fit together tightly. You will want to check on this cork periodically to make sure it is in good condition. If you need to lubricate or condition the cork there are waxes and other products that you can purchase for this purpose.
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.
You should look at the outside of the instrument to make sure that it is in good condition. If it has been neglected you may find that the finish shows permanent marks that cannot be cleaned off or polished away. If the wood looks cracked or the metal looks pitted it may mean that you should avoid buying it altogether. Repairing it to make it playable may be quite expensive.
If you are very nervous about whether a second hand instrument is worth buying you may want to have it inspected by someone at a local instrument shop. They may also have second hand or refurbished woodwinds that you may be able to purchase and supplies that you can use to care for an instrument that you do buy.
You need to look closely at the mouthpiece of any unit you are thinking about purchasing. Single reeded variants will usually have a plastic piece with a metal clamp that holds down a single piece of reed. Is it cracked or is the metal clamp missing? These can be inexpensive to replace but it can be an indication that there are other problems with a particular unit. Double reeded instruments will have a hole at the top where you plug the reed in. You clamp it with your lips and blow in order to make music.
Many people are surprised by the wide variety of woodwinds that use reeds to create sound. The best known are the clarinet and saxophone. Others such as the oboe, English horn and bassoon are less well known but are still fun and challenging to play. There is quite a difference in the sounds that woodwind instruments make and part of this depends on the kind of reed that the instrument uses.
Taking care of your instrument is not hard. One of the biggest issues that you will face is making sure that all of the moisture is wiped out once you are done playing. Quite a bit of moisture can accumulate especially over the course of a performance or long practice session. You can use a soft, absorbent cloth to wipe out the inside of the instrument to get rid of any moisture.
Most woodwinds can be disassembled in order to put them in a case. The areas where the sections join together often have a layer of cork so that the sections fit together tightly. You will want to check on this cork periodically to make sure it is in good condition. If you need to lubricate or condition the cork there are waxes and other products that you can purchase for this purpose.
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.
You should look at the outside of the instrument to make sure that it is in good condition. If it has been neglected you may find that the finish shows permanent marks that cannot be cleaned off or polished away. If the wood looks cracked or the metal looks pitted it may mean that you should avoid buying it altogether. Repairing it to make it playable may be quite expensive.
If you are very nervous about whether a second hand instrument is worth buying you may want to have it inspected by someone at a local instrument shop. They may also have second hand or refurbished woodwinds that you may be able to purchase and supplies that you can use to care for an instrument that you do buy.
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