When it comes to the finest string instruments in the world, one name rises above all others: Cremona. This small city in northern Italy has long been revered as the birthplace of the violin and remains the spiritual home of violin...

A guide to tone, feel, and performance in modern and traditional bow making For string players, the bow is much more than just a tool—it's a vital extension of the player’s hand and voice. The right bow can transform your...

The harp is one of the world’s oldest and most elegant instruments, but its evolution has been anything but static—especially when it comes to its strings. Over centuries, harpists have relied on natural materials to achieve the rich, resonant sound...

A guide to the U1, U3, U2, YUX & YUA models If you're considering a refurbished Yamaha upright piano, you're already on the right track. Yamaha’s Japanese-made upright models are world-renowned for their exceptional build quality, rich tone, and long...

When it comes to purchasing a piano—especially for serious students, families, or music lovers—few names carry the enduring reputation of Yamaha. But what many buyers don’t realise is that some of the best value and quality available today come not from...

What To Look For in a Student Violin? Purchasing a first violin whether for yourself, or your child can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. There are so many violins on the market, both new and secondhand. How will you...

Tuning your violin, viola, cello, or double bass can be intimidating to the uninitiated. How do I tighten or loosen the strings without damaging them? What notes do I need to tune each string to? How will I know when...

What are the different parts of my string instrument, and what do they do? Let’s take a look at the top of the instrument! Scroll: A decorative piece of curved wood. This is an aesthetic feature of the instrument, rather...

Beginning a Wind or Brass Instrument The team here at WA Music Co. are often asked “when can my child begin learning a wind or brass instrument?” As a result, we have years of experience to answer this question! Unlike...

How Do I Look After My String Instrument from WA Music? Proper instrument maintenance is an essential part of string players for owners and renters alike. If you have your very own violin, viola, cello, or double bass, it’s important...

How do I choose the right size violin, viola, cello, or double bass for my child? Choosing the right size string instrument for your child can be a daunting prospect. We here at WA Music are more than happy to...

Help! My Bridge Has Fallen! A bridge coming loose from a string instrument is one of the scarier things facing young and up-and-coming string players. How did that happen? How can I fix it? What do you mean the bridge...

Looking After Your Brass Instrument Brass instruments are a family of musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of the player’s lips against a cup-shaped mouthpiece. The vibrations create sound waves that travel through the instrument. These instruments are...

Caring For and Maintaining Your Oboe and Bassoon Reeds: A Handy Guide Learning how to look after your double reeds as a young oboist or bassoonist is critical for prolonging the life of your reeds and ensuring they sound as...

Wind instruments require a little more maintenance than string instruments and brass instruments. Wind instruments are usually made of metal (flute, saxophone) or wood (oboe, clarinet, bassoon) and involve blowing through a mouthpiece and/or reed to create a sound that...

What is Rosin? Rosin is a solid, sticky substance made from the sap of pine or conifer trees. It's applied to bow hair to create the friction needed to produce sound on string instruments such as the: Violin Viola Cello...

Whether you’re a professional string player, an advanced performer, or a budding student, there are almost too many rosins to choose from. Which rosin works best for my instrument? What are the different brands of rosin, and what sort of...

How to Choose Your First Harp: A Simple Visual Guide  If you’ve fallen in love with the harp’s magical sound, you’re probably wondering how to find the perfect harp to start playing. Let’s break it down step-by-step! 1. What Size...

"Help! My string broke!"Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through how to change a string step-by-step. It’s easier than it sounds, and you’ll be back to playing in no time! Whether you play violin, viola, cello, or double...

If you're new to clarinet, saxophone or oboe (or you’re a parent trying to make sense of it all), picking the right reed can feel like a bit of a minefield. Different brands, numbers, cuts... what does it all mean?...

Whether you're a professional string player, an advanced performer, or a budding student, finding the right strings can feel overwhelming. With so many brands and styles to choose from, you might be asking: Which strings suit my instrument? What sound...