Clarinet Care

Clarinets as all wood instruments expand and contract with heat and humidity.  Cracks can occur if you are not careful. Good clarinet maintenance is the key to avoiding damage to your instrument. Here are some simple tips to caring for your wooden clarinet.

• Always swab, disassemble and return your clarinet to its case when not in use.
• Wipe down the keys after playing with a cloth to remove the oils left on the keys by your fingers. This will also prevent tarnishing and premature wear. 
• Avoid extreme and rapid changes in temperature.  Store your clarinet where the temperature is stable. Also, never play a clarinet that is cold to the touch.
• Maintain a consistent relative humidity in between playing sessions. Case humidifiers are a great way to do this.
• Have your clarinet cleaned and adjusted by a qualified repair technician twice a year. 
• Have the bore oiled by a repair professional.
• Never assemble your clarinet when tight.

Always allow a clarinet to heat up to room temperature before playing.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_7664555_care-wood-clarinet.html

Always allow a clarinet to heat up to room temperature before playing.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_7664555_care-wood-clarinet.html

Chicago and REO Speedwagon

Chicago and REO Speedwagon performed at Jones Beach Theater last night.  What a fantastic show! Here are some photos from the concert.

School Instrument Rentals

It is time to start thinking about 

School Instrument Rentals!
Beat the crowds! If your child needs an instrument for school now is the best time to rent one. 

Visit our store at 2170 Sunrise Highway in Merrick 

for more information.

Summer Violin Maintenance

Summer weather although enjoyable for us, is not perfect for violins. The high temperatures of summer can cause problems for your violin, so during the summer months you should give your instrument a bit more TLC. The wood of the violin expands and contracts due to heat and humidity. Excessive heat can cause permanent warping and damage to the wood and bow hairs. It can also cause a change in sound. The varnish can soften in heat causing it to blister or stick to your case. On the other hand, air conditioning can dry out your violin and cause cracks in the wood. Overall, extreme temperature and humidity changes are not good for a violin.

There are a few things you can do to keep your violin in good shape during the summer months. 

• Check your violin out every few weeks, especially if you are not playing it.  Visually check it to make sure there are no signs of warping and check for open seams every place there is a joint on the instrument. Also, listen for any changes in the sound of the violin.

• Keep your violin out of direct sunlight or enclosed areas. Specifically, don't store your violin in a hot car.

• If in extreme temperatures, allow the instrument to come back to room temperature slowly.  The stress put on your violin by sudden temperature changes can be catastrophic.  In short, slow, gentle changes in the environment are much easier for any wood instrument to handle.

• Clean any rosin debris off your violin right away.  Rosin can become stickier in the heat and leftover pieces can end up sticking to the varnish permanently! 

If damage should occur, have your violin repaired immediately by a luthier to prevent even more damage for happening.
 

D’Addario NYXL Strings

We are proud to announce that we are now carrying D'Addario NYXL Guitar Strings! These strings are amazing. Envisioned, perfected, and manufactured by D’Addario in New York, this newly engineered, break-resistant, high-carbon steel core and plain steel alloy delivers a whole new level of freedom, confidence, and power. NYXL’s provide more strength and up to 131% greater tuning stability by utilizing a completely reinvented wire drawing process coupled with a revolutionary “fusion twist” process for the plain steels. The reformulated nickel plated string windings have greater magnetic properties resulting in higher output and enhanced mid-range frequency response for more presence and crunch. Visit Scott Russ Music in Merrick, NY to check them out!

#NYXLInStock 

High Spirits Pocket Flute in A

The High Spirits Native American Flute is an instrument that anyone can play. This beautiful 9 inch pocket flute is crafted of aromatic cedar with a fixed bird decoration and made in the key of A.  The pocket flute is finished with a non toxic oil which gives it a bright, clear voice and provides creative fun for all ages. It has 5 holes which play a pentatonic scale, and even comes with a fingering chart. The Pocket Flute easily fits into the pocket or back pack. Great for children! For more information visit Scott Russ Music in Merrick, NY.

ESP Stratocaster Electric Guitar 400 Series

This is a used, but excellent condition, original Japan made ESP Stratocaster Electric Guitar 400 Series. This vintage guitar is bright yellow with a red pick guard. It dates from the 1970's to early 1980's. You can't find this quality in a modern instrument. It was just set up in our shop for a close fast action and clear tone. Great player, and highly collectible! Visit Scott Russ Music for more details.