Aprilyn Samantha Podd

Clarinet Terminology

2008-01-21T21:01:00.001+09:00

Clarinet Terminology

Buying a new clarinet is tough, especially when you don't know what to look for. There are specs on different models that you have no idea what they are. Here is some terminology (and more on the way) to help you understand the different parts of the clarinet. Words in italics will be defined at the bottom of the page.

Mouthpiece
The top piece of the clarinet. This is the part that comes in contact with the mouth during its use. It is made out of Ebonite, a rubber-type material that is compressed by heat. The mouthpiece is responsible for the timbe and pitch. Attached to the mouthpiece is the reed and its held in place by a ligature. The combination of the quality of the Ligature, Reed and Mouthpiece affect how resistant blowing through the clarinet can be and the type of tone it produces. There are many different brands of mouthpieces and prices that range from ~$30 - $100+

Reed
The reed is responsible for tone and of course to produce the sound. It is a thin strip of cane with a flat side that rests on the flat side of the mouthpiece and is rectangular in shape with a curved tip that is similar to the tip of the mouthpiece. The vibrations of the reed produce the sound of the clarinet. The reeds are made out of Arundo Donax.

Reeds come in different strengths indicated by numbers. 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 ... 5.

1.5 reeds are the thinnest reeds used by beginning students and the reeds become thicker as the number reed increases. The tip of the reed is very thin and is often chipped if it not taken care of. Reeds cost from $3 each and they come in boxes of 10.

Ligature
Devise that holds the reed on the mouthpiece. Originally, string was used to hold Reeds to the mouthpiece which have grooves to keep the string in place. (Some clarinetists still use this today) Shoestring ligature picture here
There are many different types of Ligatures. Some are made out of a variety of metals and others are made out of leather. Different metals used are said to give different resonances.

Barrel
The barrel (also known as a tuning barrel or neck) is the section where it is adjusted to do fine tuning on the clarinet. The barrel is tuned by lengthening or shortening the gap between the barrel and the upper joint. This is referred to as “pulling out” or “pushing in”. When the barrel is pulled out, the clarinet sounds lower (flatter). When the barrel is fully pushed in, the clarinet will sound higher (sharper). Longer the tube, the lower it sounds basically.

Upper joint and Lower Joint
The Upper Joint is attached to the Barrel at the top and the Lower Joint on the bottom. When assembled, this joint is played by the left hand. (Doesn't matter if the person is left or right handed) This is the only part of the clarinet that has cork tenons on the top and bottom of the joint.

Lower Joint is the largest joint. It is played by the right hand and has a cork tenon on the bottom which connects with the Bell.

Bell
The bell is the bottom joint of the clarinet that flares outwards. Bells are also used on other instruments such as Brass and saxophones. The bell on the clarinet is important to help project the low notes and also to keep the low notes in tune

Because of the flared shape, the clarinet can stand up by itself (not recommended!) Use a clarinet stand or put the clarinet back in its case when not in use.

Tenon Corks

Tenon Corks are found on the end of the mouthpiece, on the ends of the Upper Joint and on the bottom of the lower joint. A thin strip of cork is attached to the tenon to help seal air from coming out when playing.

Sometimes the cork can dry and it is hard to put together, especially when the clarinet is new. Cork Grease or Vaseline is used to help lubricate the joint.

On some wooden clarinets, there is a metal ring called a tenon ring on the end of the tenon joint, this is to prevent the wood from cracking. You can also find a ring around the end of a joint that does not have a tenon joint to prevent chipping. Some student clarinets will not have the silver rings.

Keys

Keys are to do with the silver mechanism that are pressed by the fingers. keys come in different shapes and sizes on the clarinet. Some are round others are oblong in shape which are all attached to rods and posts that screw into the body of the clarinet.

Depending on what keys are pressed depends on the sound and pitch when played.

Keys can be made out of different metals:
Silver plating gives a shinier appearance.
Nickel plating is stronger and lighter than silver but can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Websites: Woodwind

2008-01-02T18:38:00.000+09:00

Woodwind sites

Woodwind.org - Website about woodwinds
Mostlywind.co.uk - Information on flutes, Performance anxiety, theory...

Woodwind fingering Charts - For clt, sax, flt and other winds
Clarinet Mouthpiece Chart - Chart based on the Facings of Clarinet mouthpieces
Vandoren Mouthpiece Chart - for saxophones
Clarinet Xpress - Walter Grabner's mouthpiece site, helpful info on the facings of mouthpieces

Metronome - Free online metronome
Musicked.com - Interactive site for online lessons, fingering charts for a wide range of instruments...
MusicMedic.com - Online Source for Woodwind Repair supplies
Wood of MPingo Tree - Information on a type of wood instruments are made out of.

Olivers (mostly) Clarinet Music - Contains woodwind music in type 1 MIDI and Finale .MUS notation files

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Websites: Online Australian Music Store

2008-01-02T18:24:00.001+09:00

Online Music Instrument Stores in Australia

Sax&Woodwind - Sydney Store, Gives price ranges of wind instruments
Brass&Woodwind - Brisbane/Melbourne Music store.
The Woodwind Group - Fantastic site to find brand, model, price of different flutes. Also has sheet music.

Also check out Music Shops and Repairers in Perth WA for prices on instruments from stores in Perth.

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Websites: Reeds Books Accessories

2008-01-02T18:22:00.001+09:00

Reeds, Books & Accessories

Vandoren - Produce Reeds, mouthpieces, Ligatures and other accessories.
Rico - Produce Reeds, mouthpieces and other accessories.
Studio Reeds - Australian Brand. Produce reeds, mouthpieces and other accessories. Has tips on reed care.
Rovner - Ligatures, Mouthpieces.
BG Frank Bichon - Ligatures, Neck Straps, stands and other accessories.

Protec Store - Suppliers of instrumental cases and accessories
Muncy Winds - Online music store. Supplies instruments and accessories.

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Websites: Instrument Brands

2008-01-02T18:20:00.001+09:00

Instrument Brands (Woodwinds)
There are many different instrument brands, these are brands that I found so far that have a website

Who Owns What in the Music Buisness -List of instrument brands
Conn-Selmer - Largest U.S. manufacturer and distributor of band and orchestral instruments

Woodwind Group - Flute makers and Brand names
Emerson - Flute
Armstrong - Flute
Avanti - Flute
Pearl - Flute

C.G.Conn - Saxophones & Brass
Schreiber-Keilwerth - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Bassoon
LeBlanc (Yanigasawa (Sax), Vito (Clt), Noblet (Clt, Sax, Flt), Martin (Clt, Sax, Flt)) - Clarinet
Artley - Clarinet, oboe, Bassoon
Buffet Crampon - Clarinets, Flutes, Oboe
Jupiter - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Bassoon, Oboe, & Brass
Yamaha - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder, Brass
Selmer Paris/USA - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, oboe, Bassoon
Buescher (wiki article here)- Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, French Horn

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Websites: Clarinet Links

2008-01-02T18:17:00.001+09:00

Clarinet Links

Clarinet - Information about the clarinet on Wikipedia
Clarinet wiki books
Clarinet wiki books - list of different models
Clarinet wikiversity
Clarinet - Background information about clarinets on Children's Music Workshop
Bass Clarinet Group - Forum for bass clarinetists
Clarinet Corner - Sherman Friedland. Contains articles
Clarinet Xpress - Walter Grabner - Mouthpiece maker, very helpful info on the facings of Mouthpieces
Clarinet acoustics - University of New South Wales
Claripatch - reed/mouthpiece related product
Clarinet Facings - Information on the facings of a mouthpiece
Clarinet Reeds - Information on caring for reeds
Shoestring Ligature - Another type of Ligature

Click here to go back and check out other woodwind related links

Websites: Saxophones

2008-01-02T18:16:00.000+09:00

Saxophones

Saxophone - Information about the saxophone on Wikipedia
Saxophone Brands - Someones comparison on some saxophone brands
Vandoren Mouthpiece Chart - perfect site for looking for which type of mouthpiece to buy
Australian Clarinet & Saxophone Website - Contains information and articles.
Saxophone acoustics - University of New South Wales

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Websites: Flute

2008-01-02T18:14:00.000+09:00

Flute

Flute - Information about the flute on Wikipedia
FluteLab.com- Flute head joints
Flute.com - Anything flute related is found here
Fluteinfo.com - Another flute related site
Fluteland.com - Online flute lessons, forums...
Flute acoustics - From the University of New South Wales

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websites: Woodwind Serial Numbers

2008-01-02T18:12:00.000+09:00

Woodwind Serial Numbers

Oriscus - Music References to instrument makers, serial numbers, Collectors...
Serial Number lists - Variety of different models
Buffet Crampon - Clarinets
Dan Cipriano - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar

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Websites: Instrumental Rental Music Organisations

2008-01-02T18:11:00.001+09:00

Instrumental Rental and Music teacher organisations

Studio 19 - Instrument Rental.
Musicorp
SIM - School of Instrumental Music.

WAYCOT - WA College of Teaching.
Music Council Australia - Contains links to State and National Teacher Associations
West Australian Music Teachers Association
ASME - Australian Society Music Education: Western Australian Chapter
ABODA - Australian Band and Orchestra Directors' Association (WA)

AMEB - Australian Music Examinations Board

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Perth Music Ensembles/Artists

2007-12-23T01:41:00.002+09:00

This list contains instrumental ensembles and artists based in Perth, Western Australia:

SolotoSymphony.net Perth's largest music agency run by Jody Harrison.

MySpace.com - Arundo Reed Quintet

MySpace music profile for Arundo Reed Quintet with tour dates, songs, videos, pictures, blogs, band information, downloads and more.

Musica del Mondo
MySpace.com - Musica del Mondo
Folk style ensemble consisting of Percussion, Violin, Piano Accordion, Double Bass and Clarinet. They perform at the Mondo Mini Markets on the corner of 6th ave and Beaufort St in Inglewood during Spring time.

Scope
Latin/Contemporary ensemble consisting of Saxophone, Percussion, and clarinet. They perform Latin, American, African, Australian, Jazz and original compositions.

Saxophone - MATTHEW STYLES
Vibraphone, marimba, Latin, Percussion - PAUL TANNER
Clarinet - CATHERINE CAHILL

Guapo
Specialises in the tango style of the Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. They also play Traditional, Folk, Contemporary, Latin and Jazz style music.

Clarinet - CATHERINE CAHILL
Bass - PETER JEAVONS
Piano - TOM O’HALLORAN
Violin - ZAK ROWNTREE
Vibraphone - PAUL TANNER

You Tube Clips

2007-12-23T01:19:00.001+09:00

Welcome to the You Tube Clip Page.

If you have any interesting woodwind related clips, e-mail me the link. If appropriate, I will post it here.

Arundo Reed Quintet
Category: Music performance - Classical

Matt Styles' arrangement for Arundo - Piazolla Fugata
Arundo website on Myspace for more clips

Arty Shaw
Category: Music performance - Jazz

Listen to the really high C at the end

Klezmer music - Piano and Clarinet
Category: Music Performance - Klezmer

Some Crazy playing happens near the end. Worth watching

Bb Contra Bass Clarinet
Category: Instruments

Details about the Contrabass clarinet HERE

Bass Saxophone
Category: Instruments

Insight of the Bass Saxophone. Comparison between a Martin and Conn.

Contrabass Saxophone
Category: Instruments

A HUGE instrument. Take note this guy is tall, it may be bigger than you think! Check out this other Youtube clip of the Contrabass sax

Beatboxing Flute- Peter and the Wolf: Greg Pattillo
Category: Instruments

Amazing stuff, heaps of other beatboxing flute clips on Youtube.

Contrabass Flute
Category: Instruments

Kingma Flute site contains pictures of the contrabass flute and even the Sub contrabass
Another picture of the Sub Contrabass Flute here

Sub Contrabass Recorder
Category: Instruments

The Largest recorder in the World

Buffet Crampon
Category: Instrument Making

Ever wondered how clarinets are made? Watch this clip

Playing Clarinet...
Category: Instruments

...Filmed from inside the mouth! Might be a little gross but interesting to watch. Note: this has been slowed down, the reed would be vibrating faster than what we can see here.

Concerts for kids

2007-12-20T16:38:00.000+09:00

Concerts for January 2008

The Magic Pudding
Prompt Corner
DATE: Jan 4th to 20th at 5pm (No shows Mondays)
VENUE: Kings Park and Botanic Garden – Saw Ave Amphitheatre
CATEGORY: Theatre
More Details

The Nutcracker
Perth City Ballet
DATE: Jan 16-19 at 8:15pm
VENUE: Quarry Amphitheatre
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

Gala Concert
Western Australian Charity Orchestra (WACO)
DATE: Mon Feb 4, 7pm - 10pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
CATEGORY: Music - concert
More Details

WASO Plays Your Favourite Classics
West Australia Symphony Orchestra
DATE: 24 Feb, Gates open at 5pm. Concert starts at 8pm
VENUE: Pioneer Women's Memorial - Kings Park, West Perth
CATEGORY: Music - Classical, Concerts
More Details

Latest News/Updates

2007-12-20T16:29:00.001+09:00

21st January 2008
New Look!

I decided that the blog needed a bolder look, thats it basically... The template my change slightly but nothing big.
In addition, I have added a new website: CoCoA Compilation Compiler Advisor. This site contains thousands of Free, Public Domain classical recordings. This means the recordings have to be at least 50 years old in order for it to be out of copyright. Yagan Kiely gives comments about the site on his blog here.
I have also re-arranged the links to websites as the list of links is growing. If you can't find something that was here before, it is still on this site!

15th January 2008
Added new ensembles

I have recently discovered on the net an agency called Solo to Symphony. It is an agency and consists of Perth's top instrumentalists and ensembles. I have selected a few (fully or partly woodwind) ensembles that might be worth taking note of and can be found here.

22nd December 2007
Added Collaboration section

The collaboration section will hopefully be links to other blogs/sites that contain other useful information on other areas (music related). If you are interested in contributing your knowledge on your specialised area such as strings, opera, theory, music history... etc. Please e-mail me.

Yagan Kiely's blog regarding the recent closure of IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project), a site with free domain scores.
In the future, it will contain information on copyright issues Globally.
Blog can be found here

Youtube Clips

A few clips have been added so far in the Youtube section If you find any clips of performances that inspire or amaze you, any other type of clips or even performances of yourself. E-mail or post the link. If found appropriate, it will be posted in the Youtube clip section

20th December 2007
Added events for January and February 2008 here
Concerts for Kids here

January 2008 - Beethoven & Friends

2007-12-20T12:53:00.000+09:00

Beethoven & Friends
Perth Concert Hall Summer Series
DATE: Monday 7th Jan 11am -12pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
TICKETS: Details from Bocs Website
BOOKINGS: 9484 1133 (BOCS)

DETAILS:
Acclaimed international pianist Victor Sangiorgio opens the Concert Hall's 2008 Summer Series with a program featuring classics you know and love - including Mozart's variations on the French folk song Ah, vous dirais-je, Maman, Beethoven's sublime sonata in D Minor and Chopin's virtuosic and powerful Scherzo No2.

Janurary 2008

2007-12-20T01:12:00.000+09:00

Upcoming events for January 2008

The Magic Pudding
Prompt Corner
DATE: Jan 4th to 20th at 5pm (No shows Mondays)
VENUE: Kings Park and Botanic Garden – Saw Ave Amphitheatre
CATEGORY: Theatre
More Details

Beethoven & Friends
Perth Concert Hall Summer Series
DATE: Mon 7th Jan 11am -12pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

DUO SOL
Perth Concert Hall Summer Series
DATE: Mon 14th Jan 11am -12pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

The Nutcracker
Perth City Ballet
DATE: Jan 16-19 at 8:15pm
VENUE: Quarry Amphitheatre
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

Spanish Dreams
Perth Concert Hall Summer Series
DATE: Mon 21st Jan 11am -12pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

Jazz on the Rocks
WA SUP
DATE: Fri, 25th Jan, Gates open 6:30. Starts 7:30-10:30 inc 15min interval
VENUE: Quarry Amphitheatre
CATEGORY: Music - Jazz
More Details

Summer Voice
Perth Concert Hall Summer Series
DATE: Mon 28th Jan 11am -12pm
VENUE: Perth Concert Hall
CATEGORY: Music
More Details

Shakespeare in the Park - As You Like it
Deckchair Theatre Company
DATE: 11 Jan - 9 Feb inclusive (excpt Sun and Pub Hol), Gates open 7 pm, Starts 8pm
VENUE: Pioneer Women's Memorial - Kings Park, West Perth
CATEGORY: Theatre
More Details

Information for Parents - Websites

2007-12-20T00:27:00.000+09:00

Most of these sites are found in the links section but are specifically picked for this page.

Music Shops and Repairers in Perth

Classic Sounds - Kelmscott
Theos Music - Leederville
Tempest Music - Como
Zenith Music - Claremont
Wesley Classics - Perth Classical CD store
Saxophaction - Edward Marszalek - Woodwind repairer
In Tune Musical Services - Ivan, Woodwind and Brasswind repairer

Online music shops (Aust & International)

Sax&Woodwind - Sydney Store, Gives price ranges of wind instruments
Brass&Woodwind - Brisbane/Melbourne Music store.
Protec Store - Suppliers of instrumental cases and accessories
Muncy Winds - Online music store. Supplies instruments and accessories.

Teaching and Instrument Rental Organisations

Studio 19 - Instrument Rental.
Musicorp
SIM - School of Instrumental Music.

AMEB - Australian Music Examinations Board

Musica Lingua - Perth Based school in Maylands to help music students with theory through an Examination Preparation Program for AMEB and ABRSM.

Instrument Information (woodwinds)

Clarinet

Clarinet - Information about the clarinet on Wikipedia
KinderKlari - Clarinet suitable for 5 year olds
Clarinet for Children - Plastic clarinets from England. Youtube clip here
ET Clarinet Studio - Very helpful site, informative articles on a wide range of areas about the clarinet, includes a discussion board.

Saxophone

Saxophone - Information about the saxophone on Wikipedia
Saxophone Brands - Someones comparison on some saxophone brands

Flute

Flute - Information about the flute on Wikipedia
Finding Your Flute - Information to help you buy a flute
FluteLab.com- Flute head joints

Other General Woodwind/music Sites

Woodwind fingering Charts - For clt, sax, flt and other winds
Musicked.com - Interactive site for online lessons, fingering charts for a wide range of instruments...
Metronome - Free online metronome

Have an instrument but don't know the Brand or want to know what year it was made? If you can find a serial number on the instrument, try your luck out on these sites: (There are heaps of other sites similar to these, search in google")

Oriscus - Music References to instrument makers, serial numbers, Collectors...
Serial Number lists - Variety of different models
Buffet Crampon - Clarinets
Dan Cipriano - Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar

NOTE: Posts and Websites on instrumental buyers guide and other information will be added over time.

Information for Parents

2007-12-19T23:03:00.002+09:00

This page is for parents who do not know where to begin to start their child on an instrument. This includes buyers guide to instrument brands, care, links etc...

This page will slowly accumulate more information over time. Please check back often

If instrumentalists or teachers have any information to add, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at aprilynsam @ gmail.com

Websites: Teaching and Woodwind Instruments

2007-12-14T11:39:00.000+09:00

Instrumental Rental and Music organizations

Woodwind sites

Woodwind Serial Numbers

Flute Websites
Saxophone Websites
Clarinet Websites

Instrument Brands (Woodwinds)

Reeds, Books & Accessories
Online Music Instrument Stores in Australia

Websites: Music and the Arts in Perth & Australia

2007-12-14T01:30:00.000+09:00

WASO - Western Australia Symphony Orchestra
WA Opera
WA Ballet

Perth Festival 2008 - Perth International Arts Festival
Tura New Music

WAYMA - WA Youth Music Association

WAYJO - WA Youth Jazz Orchestra

BOCS Ticketing - Tickets for events in Perth
MyTickets.com.au - Tickets for events Australia wide
Ticketmaster.com.au - Tickets for various events Australia Wide

Universities

WAAPA - Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts @ ECU Mt Lawley
UWA Music - Music Department at the University of WA

University Theatres at UWA

Venues

Perth City Ballet: Prompt Corner - Presents ballets and children’s theatre performances during the school holidays
Deckchair Theatre Company
Perth Theatre Company
Black Swan Theatre Company
Barking Gecko Theatre Company
WAYTCO - WA Youth Theatre COmpany
FTI - Film and Television Institute WA Inc
Screen West

ACCB - Armadale City Concert Band

Other Arts

Alexander Library - Contains a large collection of music scores & sheet music
WA Museum
Art Gallery of WA
ARTRAGE
PICA - Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts

ArtsWA - Department of Culture and the Arts - Development and support of the arts sector in Western Australia.

Australian music and the arts

APRA/AMCOS - Australasian Performing Rights Association. administering the rights of the world's composers, songwriters and publishers in Australia and New Zealand.
MusicAustralia.org - Developed by the National Library of Australia & the National Library of Australia. Can find music scores, recordings and other music-related material here.

Australian Music Center - "Dedicated to increase the profile and sustainability of Australian composers and other creative artists."
Music Council Australia

Orchestras and chamber

Symphony Services Australia

Musica Viva - world’s largest entrepreneur of ensemble music.

Music Related Websites

2007-12-14T01:07:00.001+09:00

Music/Art related jobs

ArtsHub - Australian Art related job site
Seek.com.au - Includes music/art related jobs

Online Music and sheet music

Classical Archives - Largest Classical Music site, Live recordings and midi files. Free Download. Need to subscribe if you want unlimited downloads
Mozart Archive - Complete records of Mozart's works (Free)
Classic Cat - Free download Classical Music
CoCoA - "Compilation Compiler Advisor" Free Public domain classical music.

NMA - Neue Mozart-Ausgabe - Complete Scores of Mozart*
IMSLP - International Music Score Library Project. Free public domain sheet music.
CPDL - Choral Public Domain Library. Free Choral sheet music
Sheetmusic Fox - Download and Print Free Public Domain Sheet Music
Julliard Manuscript Collection

Online Music retailers

GreatScores.com - buy digital sheet music
musicroom.com - sheet music, tuition books music software, instrument accessories.
SheetMusicPlus -
di-arezzo.com -
8notes.com - includes free instrumental sheet music

Music Programs

Online Radio Stations

ABC classic Fm
Classical Online Radio - Collection of Online Classical Stations from around the world
TheClassicalStation.org - Also contains classical news, trivia and other useful information.

Music Score Publishers

AMCOS list of Publishers

A&C Black - English Publisher
Alfred - American Publisher
AWMP - Australian Wind Music Publications
Boosey&Hawkes - English Publisher
Breitkopf & Härtel - German Publisher
Carl Fischer - American Publisher
Dover - American Publisher
Hal Leonard - American Publisher
Schott - American Publisher
Universal Music Publishing Group - American Publisher

FreeScores.com - Search for scores by publisher

Classical Music Recording labels

Classical Recording Labels and Retailers List

*(The legality of the site is not stated, download with caution) More info on Yagan Kiely's blog here

Music Shops and Repairers in Perth WA

2007-12-14T01:06:00.000+09:00

Classic Sounds - Kelmscott
Theos Music - Leederville
Tempest Music - Como
Zenith Music - Claremont
Wesley Classics - Perth Classical CD store
Cat and the Fiddle Gifts - Music gift shop
Saxophaction - Edward Marszalek - Woodwind repairer
In Tune Musical Services - Ivan, Woodwind and Brasswind repairer