Latest stories
Clare Preston
Clare was born and brought up in Kenilworth in Warwickshire. She began flute lessons at the age of 9 and this grew into a passion for music which led to studying for a BMus (Hons) in music performance. Clare enjoyed a long career as a freelance performer and woodwind teacher in schools throughout Warwickshire, as well as touring in Europe before joining Presto Music, and continues to play for several local orchestras. Outside of music, Clare also has a passion for art, and recently gained her master's degree in Art History. In her spare time, she likes to visit art galleries, museums and places of historical interest.
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Saxophone Instrument Terminology
15th Jul 2026
A summary of some of the common features of a saxophone
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Spotlight on Azumi Flutes: Bridging the Gap Between Student and Professional
8th Jun 2026
Azumi Flutes were founded in the autumn of 2002 in Azumino, Japan, as an off-shoot of the premium brand Altus Flutes. Created by renowned master flute maker Shuichi Tanaka, the brand was designed to bridge the gap between student and professional models by offering high-quality, handcrafted flutes at an accessible price point
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A Legendary Choice: The 70-Year Reign of the Buffet R13
29th May 2026
Known as the legendary choice for professionals since its inception in 1955, the R13 clarinet is the oldest model in Buffet Crampon’s catalogue and is still their biggest selling professional clarinet worldwide. Its revolutionary design is that which all modern clarinets are measured against.
Featured product
Buffet Crampon B flat Clarinet - R13
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Small but Mighty - A Guide to Clarinet Mouthpieces
13th Apr 2026
Clarinet players of all levels will, at some point, go through the process of choosing a new mouthpiece. A clarinet mouthpiece might appear to be a small and simple part of the clarinet, but in fact has a huge impact on the tone and responsiveness of your instrument. In this guide, we take a look at the difference the right mouthpiece can make to your playing.
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Jakob Winter Cases: Where Tradition meets Innovation
1st Apr 2026
Jakob Winter is a renowned German manufacturer of musical instrument cases with a history dating back to 1886. Originally focusing on the production of traditional handmade wooden cases, the company has expanded its range over the years to produce instrument cases which include modern and environmentally friendly materials.
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Clarinet Instrument Terminology
14th Jan 2026
If you have started playing the clarinet – congratulations! You are at the beginning of an exciting musical journey. There are lots of additional details you will learn as you go, but here is a list of the most common clarinet terms and definitions to get you started.
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Why that Bargain Woodwind Instrument is a False Economy
30th Oct 2025
Everyone loves a bargain, especially at a time when the cost of living is so high. For some purchases, those bargains can represent a genuine saving, but when it comes to musical instruments, the mantra ‘you get what you pay for’ almost always applies. In this article, we look at the reasons why the purchase of a cheap woodwind instrument isn't worth it.
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Buffet v Yamaha: Beginner and Intermediate Clarinets
15th Oct 2025
When it comes to purchasing clarinets, we are often asked what the difference is between Buffet and Yamaha. In this article, we take a look at the student and step-up models from both manufacturers and what they have to offer to help you make the right choice for you.
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Piccolos - A Short Guide to Purchasing a New Instrument
30th Jun 2025
There are a few things to consider when you are looking to purchase a new piccolo, whether you are new to the instrument or looking to up-grade from your student model. In this short guide we take a look at some of the factors you might take into account in your search to find the right instrument for you.
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Laying the Foundations - Wind Instruments for the Younger Player
14th Mar 2025
Scientific research has shown that learning to play a musical instrument can make you smarter, increasing the power of the brain by several IQ points. Additionally, playing an instrument can improve concentration, co-ordination and memory amongst other skills. It is therefore not surprising that many parents are keen to encourage their child to start learning an instrument at a young age. Here, we look at some of the wind instruments that now make it possible for the aspiring young woodwind player to begin their music journey earlier than ever before.
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Leblanc 700 Series Saxophones - A Review
26th Feb 2025
Leblanc, a name with a rich history in the woodwind manufacturing world, recently launched a new range of professional quality saxophones. Formerly under the name of Conn-Selmer, this 700 series ‘Premiere’ range has been re-imagined and now bears the renowned Leblanc name. Here, we take a look at some of the reasons why these new 700 series Leblanc saxophones are a serious competitor and worthy of consideration if you are in the market for a new horn.
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Buffet Crampon - 200 Years of Exceptional Craftsmanship
14th Feb 2025
This year, world leading clarinet brand Buffet Crampon celebrates 200 years of instrument manufacture. Here, we take a brief look at the history of the company from its humble beginnings as a workshop in the heart of Paris to the global success it is today.
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Saxophone Ligatures - Do they Make a Difference?
31st Jan 2025
The difference that a mouthpiece can make to your overall sound is well documented and discussed, but the difference that the ligature can make is sometimes underestimated. Here, we look at how your choice of ligature could impact your sound and the response you get from your reed.
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Saxophone Mouthpieces - A Short Guide
10th Jan 2025
When it comes to mouthpieces, it is easy to get bogged down, not only by the huge number of products in the marketplace, but also by the rather bewildering array of terminology from manufacturers surrounding mouthpiece construction and how this may affect tone quality. Here, we look at the fundamentals to consider when considering the purchase of a new mouthpiece for your saxophone.
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Tips for Testing a New Saxophone
8th Jan 2025
The purchase of a new instrument should be an enjoyable and exciting process, but with so much choice on the market, it can also be a daunting one. Here, we have put together some tips on how you might go about testing saxophones to help you find the perfect instrument for you.
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Cane or Synthetic Reeds? Pros and Cons
6th Dec 2024
Most clarinet and saxophone players will probably play on a reed made from cane. However, there are a growing number who are turning to synthetic reeds as a durable and consistent alternative. Here, we consider why you may choose one or the other, or maybe a mixture of the two.
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Flute Instrument Terminology
8th Nov 2024
Offset G key, Split E mechanism, Closed or Open hole keys...what does all this mean? Here, we have put together a list of the features commonly referred to on flutes to help you choose the best instrument for you.
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Tips for Testing a New Flute
8th Nov 2024
Testing a new flute can seem like an overwhelming experience – what is the best way to test a new flute? Here, we’ve put together our top tips for testing an instrument to help you choose your perfect upgrade!
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Best Clarinets for Beginners
23rd Aug 2024
Choosing your first instrument can be a daunting task. In order to help you make your decision, we have looked through the range of instruments on offer, and have selected our top choices for starter clarinets.
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Best Flutes for Beginners
23rd Aug 2024
Choosing your first instrument can be a daunting task. In order to help you make your decision, we have looked through the range of instruments on offer, and have selected our top three starter flutes.
