Blog Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Midwest Musical Imports

The Fox 680 Bassoon

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Trent Jacobs

Fox's latest professional model combines the best features of the thick and thin walled short bore bassoons! The lightness and ease of the tenor register of the thin-wall 201 with the body and power of the thick-wall 660. Acoustically this bassoon is greater than the sum of its parts.

We are ordering Fox 680 bassoons in both Red and Mountain maple with special keywork options that professionals demand. The standard mechanism is:
18% Nickel silver key castings. Nickel silver hinges and machined parts. Full German system with high D and E keys. Right hand whisper key lock. Rollers on F, Ab, Eb, and Db. Metal tubes extending into the bore in the finger holes of the wing and boot joints to prevent water from entering the tone holes. All posts are set with epoxy and spring posts are locked with screws.

Additionally we order these instruments with the upgraded "Rotary" style whisper lock, double low C, left hand D-Eb trill key, right thumb Ab/Bb trill key, and high F key.

The Fox Renard 680 Bassoon

Call to check our current availability and to set up a trial. 800-926-5587

Choosing the Right Instrument

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Trent Jacobs

The staff at Midwest Musical Imports has extensive experience performing and teaching on our respective instruments, in addition to the sales we do every day. We want you to make an informed decision and purchase an instrument that will serve you well for years We hope that these guide will give you a more clear picture of what we have to offer as you seek the right instrument for you. We are always happy to speak with you over the phone, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-926-5587. Click the appropriate link below for your instrument buyer’s guide so you can get started on your research.

Choosing the right Oboe or English Horn

Choosing the right Bassoon

Choosing the right Clarinet

Choosing the right Saxophone

Introducing the Lorée-Cabart Oboe & English Horn

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Jeff Marshak

We're pleased to offer the Lorée-Cabart instruments here at Midwest Musical Imports - Including both the Cabart Oboe and the new English horn! Looking for your first English horn on a budget then we highly recommend the Lorée-Cabart. A mostly full conservatory instrument, it is all grenadilla and includes a Lorée 2H bocal, case and case cover. These are beautiful instruments and certainly worth trying! The oboes have long been an affordable option for students and amateurs alike! Call for current price and availability.

About the Cabart Firm -

Founded in 1893, Cabart became part of the de Gourdon company in 1974. Cabart is the stamp of well-made student oboes and English horns with close tolerances, key-fitting, and cork pads throughout the instruments. Because of their high standard of manufacture combined with precise and stable tuning, Cabart is, very often, the most promising student choice.

Extending the Life of Your Bassoon Reed

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Trent Jacobs

Merz-bassoon-reed Bassoon reeds are expensive, either in terms of cost of buying a hand-made reed or in your own time for making your own. If you buy hand made reeds you are paying for not just the raw materials, but the years of experience of learning to make a good reed, and the time if takes to make that individual reed. If you make your own, you know how much effort and skill (and a bit of luck) goes into making a good reed. So naturally you want them to last as long as possible. Here are some really simple guidelines for extending the potential playing life of a bassoon reed.

Oboe Summer Goals

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Steven

Oboe Summer Goals

Not going to a festival or studying privately, but want to up your musical game between the summer months? What can you do on your own to improve your playing? Grab a tuner, metronome, and one of these methods! Challenge yourself with my picks for the top oboe method books for practice and self-teaching:

Barret Oboe Method- These progressive etudes have an opera aria influence, and chiefly are used for studying musicality. Valuable technique studies are also included in this method. There is a version edited by Martin Schuring, which is much easier to read; it is missing some prose discussing oboe basics, including breathing and articulation.

The Benefits of Playing a Music

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Jessica Nelson

benefits-of-playing-music

Whether you’re into Beethoven, Bechet or Bowie, the benefits of playing a musical instrument are unending. Although some of these benefits are common knowledge, many are things you might not be aware of, even if you’re already a musician. Here is a list of just some of them:

4 Reasons Music is Good for Your Health

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Jessica Nelson

music-for-health

Whether you’re the person behind the instrument or you’re listening to it through your earbuds, science supports the long-believed fact that music is good for more than the soul. A good song has the ability to add fun to even the most mundane workout and creating that song can relieve stress and improve cognitive function. Here are five clear health reasons you should make music a part of your everyday life.

Listening to Music Motivates You to Exercise

After determining that people tended to choose the least strenuous cadence while walking or running, researchers studied the effect music could have on altering that cadence. The study found that, by using the correct type of music, exercisers could trick the brain into overcoming that automatic cadence and work harder. There’s even an app for that. With Cruise Control: Run, runners can challenge themselves by picking up the pace using their own playlists. Whether someone uses an app or just runs a favorite playlist, listening to music makes working out more fun, which is a motivator in itself.
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How to Buy a Used Oboe

Posted on April 30, 2014January 18, 2018 by Jeff Marshak

When it comes time to purchase an oboe, upgrade from your student model, or just find a back-up for your main instrument, buying a brand new oboe may not be financially feasible. We certainly understand the constraints attached to purchasing an instrument and we are proud to offer a wide selection of used oboes in all levels and price ranges to fit your needs. While similar to trying brand new instruments, the process of trying used oboes is going to be different and there are a few things to consider a long the way. Hopefully these pointers will help you as you start the venture of finding a used oboe!
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5 Ways Musicians Can Use Social Media

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Jessica Nelson

As musicians are honing their musical talents in an effort to win audiences, social media is increasingly drawing attention away. Today’s tech-savvy consumers are growing accustomed to receiving entertainment in short, free bursts, rather than enjoying an hour or more of a performance at a concert hall or auditorium.

To reach today’s audiences, it’s important musicians at all levels learn to leverage the internet to spread information. Whether it’s sharing information about how your orchestra is progressing or getting the word out about an upcoming event, sites like Facebook and Twitter can be a great, free way to accomplish your goals. Here are a few ways musicians can harness the power of social media.

Sponsor a Contest

One way to get the word out about your music is to host a contest. Offer a reward in exchange for a like or share. This will help build your audience at the outset so that you’ll have readers whenever you post content or news.

Expert Performance Tips for Amateur Musicians

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Jessica Nelson

Many musicians begin playing because of a love for the art itself. When it’s just a musician and an instrument, performing can be a euphoric experience. But stepping on a stage with an audience of any size can alter the musician-instrument bond, leaving musicians terrified and unsure of themselves.

For a musician who is new to the experience of performing, there are a few expert tips that can help them learn to enjoy the experience. While these tips may not completely allay the stage fright that is natural for anyone, a musician can learn to perform despite any fears.

Everyone is Scared

While professional performers may make standing on a stage look like it’s second nature, the truth is that everyone gets stage fright. Even some of the most accomplished performers of our time have admitted to grappling with it, especially at first. Recognizing this is the first step to learning to overcome it.

Back-to-School Audition Prep

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Trent Jacobs

For many of our customers the beginning of the school year means audition season, for high school band chair placement, or screened auditions for the college orchestra. Besides making sure you get your instrument out to practice the audition material, here are some things you can do to make sure you perform your best at an audition.

IDRS Conference 2013 Recap in Photos

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Trent Jacobs

We took many pictures at the conference of our friends and colleagues at the conference in Redlands, CA. We enjoyed seeing and meeting with you all and look forward to working with you through the year. You can see a few more pictures on our Facebook page that we posted during the conference.