Welcome to my online resource for advice, care, repair and maintenance for woodwind instruments.
Whether you're interested in buying an instrument, maintaining your flute or clarinet, hints on saxophone repairs or just plain curious about woodwind - you'll find something to interest you here, presented in a clear and relaxed manner.
If you require further information or wish to comment on anything on the site ( or just fancy sharing your experiences ) there's a contact link on the left.

Spring 2008

Another winter rolls by at the workshop - fortunately it hasn't been too cold on the whole. As I haven't yet finished the structural improvements to my new 'shed' ( mostly because people keep bringing in broken horns ) it can get a tad chilly sometimes.
I did have to break the ice on my tea mug on one occasion, but otherwise I think I've been quite lucky.

I was quite lucky to escape some particularly inclement whether earlier this year when I jetted off to Frankfurt for the Music Messe.
This is Europe's largest music trade show, so it's great place to see the good and the not-so-good all under one roof...or more like six, actually. To say that it's 'sprawling' doesn't really capture the sheer size of the venue - but on the plus side you're never really that far from a coffee...or a beer...or a bratwurst.
My main mission was to see whether the Chinese had made any improvements regarding build quality of their Ultra-Cheap horns, and to see if there were any new developments. I came away with the impression that things have slowed down a little, but I also found out that things are moving apace in other areas - and that could be very interesting indeed.
For more details check out the show report in the new Misc. section.

I've also been busy tweaking the site. Nothing special, just moving a few menus around and tidying up the odd article. Most of this was prompted by finding quite a few images from this site being 'leeched' by other sites. I was not pleased, but at least it gave me inspiration for a new Notes article...although I was very disappointed by the behaviour of allaboutjazz.com, as detailed in 'The jazz thieves'.
Of course, there always room for a review or two as well - and this update brings an unusual review of a Howard 'low whistle'. Have I gone in for introspection in a big way? No, it's another Howard!

Perhaps the biggest news is something that I can't quite disclose at this time. Suffice to say that it's an exciting and huge project - and one I'm very much looking forward to. I'd love to be able to say what it is, but my cautious nature dictates that I shan't tempt fate until certain dotted lines have been signed. I'll say this much though - if and when it happens, you'll certainly know about it!

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So, what's on the site?
There's the Handy Hints section, which contains pages of advice and hints to enable you to care for and perform minor repairs on your instruments. It's worth checking back from time to time as this is likely to be an ever-growing section. For those looking to have an instrument repaired, there's a basic guide to the various levels of servicing.
Latest update: What's in YOUR mouthpiece?!

The Reviews section is the place to find the bottom line on that horn you've had your eye on.
As and when instruments come through the workshop ( or rather, when I have the time! ) I'll post my comments about them here. The emphasis is more on the mechanical side, given that playability is very much a subjective matter - though if I find issues that may affect this significantly I'll comment on them. There's also a section here which offers some advice to those of you about to buy an instrument, new or secondhand - perhaps for the first time, plus some notes on the vintage/modern saxophone debate, and some hints for choosing a pro sax.
Latest update: I've finally got my hands on that Chinese baritone sax, all £799's worth of it. It is worth it? Go see!

There's also an in-depth look at the ( getting-to-be ) classic Yamaha YAS61 alto, and yet another Keilwerth SX90R makes it onto the bench ( take a look at the notes for the Frankfurt Music Messe too! ).
In the flute section I examine an instrument that bears my own name...or at least the same name as mine...the Howard low whistle - and I get my hands on an Ultra-Cheap alto flute. In the clarinet section I take a long look at the Kinder Eb clarinet.

New: In the Misc. section - an extended report on the Frankfurt Music Messe - with photos...and a new home for The Black Museum...along with a particularly gruesome new exhibit!

In Testing...Testing I'll be examining in more detail some of the commonly held ideas appertaining to woodwind instruments. For example...people 'say' you should use a Pad-Saver...but why? And are they right?
Latest update: Kangaroo skin pads and Noyek Reflectors...Hype or Hooray!? And at last, the above-mentioned pad saver test!

In the Glossary you'll find explanations for a great many of the curious words and terms used throughout the site. If you're very new to musical instruments it might help to open this section in a separate browser window so that you can refer to it as you read other sections of the site.
Latest update: Pad clamps.

Notes...from a small workshop is a place where you can get the low-down on workshop life, a chance to pull up a seat and share a cuppa whilst the great issues of, well, anything I fancy really, are mulled over. I won't often publish detailed update notices here...so just drop by and peek in from time to time.
Latest update: Four new articles to read this Spring - gripes and giggles in equal quantity.

All material on this site copyright Stephen Howard Woodwind, unless otherwise stated. 20/03/2008

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