Most people think of upbeat genres like funk and be-bop when they think about alto sax. While the alto’s bright sound often lends itself to these types of works, it’s not limited to the happy end of the emotional spectrum. Like the violin, alto sax has a similar harmonic richness to the human voice. It’s […]

For most of human history, people have been playing the flute. The oldest known flutes date back more than 35,000 years—well before the age of formalized music education. Of course, these ancient versions of the instrument were a bit simpler than modern models. Just because today’s flutes have more keys and parts, though, this doesn’t […]

The clarinet is one of the most popular wind instruments for kids and beginners. Partially this is because of its compact size and light weight, which fits better in small hands than instruments like saxophone. It’s also comparatively affordable, with playable beginner models costing around $300-$600 depending on the brand and material. Learning to play […]

Among woodwinds, saxophone is often touted as the easiest to learn—and this is mostly true. Compared to instruments like the clarinet, oboe, or flute, it has more consistent fingerings and is more forgiving when it comes to your mouth and finger position. Having said that, there’s a difference between being able to squawk out “Hot […]

Scales and etudes are a great way to develop your flute technique, but let’s face it: they’re not the most exciting thing to play. Sprinkling a few familiar melodies into your practice sessions can provide a nice break from the tedium of exercises. Not sure where to start? Here are some easy flute songs for […]