Woodwind and Brass Frequently Asked Questions

We are constantly buying new reeds, what is wrong with them?

Unfortunately because reeds are so fragile, it is very easy for them to be chipped or bumped. As soon as a crack is formed, extra air is able to go through your instrument, which can cause notes to not sound right, or for your instrument to squeak. New players will definitely go through quite a few reeds before they understand how to look after them.

Because reeds are wet when you play them, they also carry a lot of moisture. Sometimes if they are not dried properly they can also develop mould. If you see any sign of discolouration suggesting this, please throw them away! The best thing to do is keep your reeds in a reed guard (between $5-15), which not only protect the reeds whilst in your case, but will also ensure that the reeds dry flat and properly; which makes them last longer!

Spending more money per reed also doesn't mean that they will be longer lasting, but it does mean that they will have a nicer tone of sound. It's always a good idea to experiment with different brands of reeds to find one that is your favourite. 

How often should my instrument be serviced?

Instruments should generally be serviced once a year, as this keeps them in optimum playing condition. During playing and even set up; your instrument takes slight wear and tear every day that can alter your instruments composition. A service realigns everything to the original position, where your instrument plays best. Service costs range between $95 and $115. A service also cleans your instrument to a degree, but you should also make sure that you clean it every time it is used. 

What do I need to do to clean my instrument?

There are a few different steps to cleaning, but also quite simple to follow.

1. Cleaning the inside: For Woodwind instruments this is done with either a pull-through or mop, or with Brass a cleaning snake. This cleans out built up saliva and remnants of food and drink from your mouth. Woodwind instruments should be cleaned after every use. Brass instruments (as they need to be dissembled) should be properly cleaned out every couple of months.

2. Cleaning the outside: It's as simple as purchasing a micro fibre (or silver) cloth and wiping away all of your fingerprints off the instrument. If this isn't done regularly, keys can become disscoloured or tarnished, or in some extreme cases the lacquer can be eaten away. This is caused by the level of alkaline or acid in the sweat in your fingertips. The finish of your instrument is never covered by warranty because it is so easily affected by such diverse factors. So remember to always play with clean, dry hands and to wipe down the instrument with a clean cloth every time it is used.

3. Cleaning the mouthpiece: Especially for Brass instruments! This is a very important step; and all it requires is a mouthpiece brush (about $5). If the mouthpiece isn't cleaned, food and saliva can build up over time and make it difficult to play or even in some extreme cases, make you sick.

Here at Play Today Music, all of our instruments are professionally checked over before they leave our store with their new owners. If something happens with the instrument, we need to assess whether it is a warranty issue, or not. If we conclude that the issue is user error, unfortunately the repair will not be covered by warranty.