Wind Instruments | Film & Music | Classifieds.co.uk :

Buying wind instruments
Buying wind instruments may not seem to be that complicated but making sure that you can blow your own trumpet (flute or saxophone�.) does take a little work! It doesn't matter whether the person buying is an experienced musician or is simply looking to buy an instrument for their child to start learning how to play -- it's important to make the right buying decision here. At the end of the day, the average wind instrument could be quite a high value purchase so getting things right is important.

Considerations to make when purchasing wind instruments
The first thing to consider is who will actually be playing the instrument in the first place. Wind instrument 'newbies' may not actually realise it but these instruments come in all shapes, sounds and sizes and it's not a good idea to just buy any old instrument and to assume that it will work for the person that will be playing it. For example, buying for a child is a lot different than buying for an adult. Wind instruments come in various sizes and buying an adult-sized instrument for a small child just won't work. They'll have more fun and learn more quickly if the instrument is the right size for them so that they can use it correctly.

It's also worth while doing a bit of research into brand names here. Look at review sites to see which names are getting good reviews and (perhaps even more importantly!) which ones aren't. The aim here should be to find an instrument that will last for as long as necessary and that has the right tone and sound. As with many purchases, people often get what they pay for here. A cheap wind instrument may not sound as good as a more expensive one and may not be as well-made or last as long.

It's also important to work out what kind of instrument to buy. There are often a bewildering number of options to choose from here. For example, clarinets may come in B Flat, E-Flat, Alto and Bass models. If a buyer doesn't know precisely what they are looking for then they could buy the wrong kind of instrument. Wind instruments may also be made from different materials -- again, the quality of construction here can affect the price and the sound that can be created by the instrument. If buying for young children then this need not be so much of an issue -- a clarinet made of plastic or plastic resin may suit them best, for example. But, experienced musicians will get better sounds from higher-quality materials.

Buying a woodwind instrument isn't just about buying the instrument itself -- purchasers should also think about the accessories that they will need to buy or have at hand. Some accessories will come with the instrument and some won't so this is worth checking before buying. Options here include reeds, mouthpieces, cases, straps and replacement key pads. Many people also don't realise that they will need to maintain their instrument. This can be tricky with some wind instruments as players have to clean inside small mouthpieces and parts so it's worth asking for advice from the retailer as to the best ways of maintaining an instrument.

How to buy second hand wind instruments
Given that a top of the range wind instrument can cost a fair amount of money, a lot of people prefer to buy their wind instruments second hand. This is especially the case with parents looking to buy instruments for their kids -- at least when they start learning to play -- as it's way too common for kids to get bored with this 'new toy' after a short while. Buying a second hand instrument here at least means that the parents won't be too out of pocket if the clarinet or saxophone ends up being used as a door stop!

As with any second hand purchase it's wise to put some time and effort into making sure that the right purchase is made. If buying from a second-hand music shop then the purchaser will usually be given some form of guarantee that the instrument has been checked over and serviced appropriately. Staff there should also be equipped to discuss any issues. It can, however, take a little more time and effort online where a purchaser won't actually be able to see the instrument before buying it in many cases.

Most people looking to sell wind instruments will simply be people who (for one reason or another) have decided to sell their own personal instrument. They may have upgraded to a new model, they may have decided that they don't use the instrument enough to warrant keeping it and may as well therefore get some cash for it or�..they may be a despairing parent who is looking to recoup their money from that 'must-have' instrument of last year that is still just adding to the childrens' bedroom clutter!

Don't be afraid to ask questions about the instrument before buying it. Ask to see pictures if possible to assess what kind of condition it is in and also check on whether it comes with accessories. Ask specific questions about how it plays, how it works and whether there is any damage to it. Many second hand wind instruments will come with a range of accessories which could save you even more money so this can be a consideration here. Perhaps one of the most important questions to ask is why the seller is selling the instrument. Most people will be honest here.