A great band director is the start to a great music education. However every great band director knows a great private teacher will lead their students to the next level. These private teachers are carefully chosen by band directors because they can mold the future success of each of their students and encourage the growth of their band programs. 

So what is a band director looking for in a great private teacher?

"Is a trumpet or trombone mute more than it's shape?" Logically the answer is yes. However in the manufacturing world, it is a bit more of a gray area. Low-priced student mutes have become as numerous as flavors of ice cream these days. So how do you define quality? How do you differentiate between mute functioned and mute shaped?

Get to Know the Women of the Denis Wick Young Ambassador Group in the UK

When do I need to find a new mouthpiece?

After a student has learned how to make a sound on their new brass instrument, and make it consistently, their next focus is on improving that sound. Since sound starts with the mouthpiece, your first upgrade should logically be the mouthpiece. But when and how do you find the right one? Use these tips to understand the process and help you student take their fist steps to expanding their sound and skills.

There are multiple low brass instruments that can easily be played using a standard trombone mouthpiece. While trombone mouthpieces can be used for baritone, the issue that cannot be overlooked is the trombone mouthpiece was designed for the trombone, not the baritone. Learn about Denis Wick artist Steven Booth's journey to his current Denis Wick baritone mouthpiece.

When it comes to trombone practice, the mute is usually the last thing players think about as they organize their day. However, as we learn in this clinic with Chris Houlding, leaving your mute out of your daily practice session is a very bad practice! Get practice tips for mute prep so that you are ready for performance success in the trombone excerpts Denis Wick artist Chris Houlding reviews in this short masterclass.

When you need a new mouthpiece, you might consider many different measurements and specification to determine a unique fit to your needs. Do we need to take the same measures for a cup mute? Of course not, but there are some key things to consider before you choose what cup mute to purchase.

Stumped on what to get that favorite trombone player of yours? Here are some of our Denis Wick artist group's favorite gadgets, books, and more that may just be the thing a special trombone player in your life may want!

Stumped on what to get that favorite trumpet player of yours? Here are some of our Denis Wick artist group's favorite gadgets, books, and more that may just be the thing a special trumpet player in your life may want!

The difference between playing the tuba and sousaphone is all about getting a more powerful sound on the sousaphone.