Coles Woodwinds Sponsors of Alban Classicals New Horizons Senior Band

For adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 530-730 1st Baptist Church in PG only $140 for 14 sessions. 2 hours of insruction per session.

10% discount on all instrument purchases at Coles Woodwinds for Band members

for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or email him.

Clarinet Saxophone Flute Oboe

year after year this is where the top students study.

Correct bad habits that are holding you back or learn your instrument correctly from the beginning
Students make phenomenal progress and learn music not just their instrument.

Hand position, posture, embouchure, breathing ,how to tongue, how to play short notes, how to phrase, how to tune, how to play in time,how to adjust your reed and match it to your mouthpiece and much more.
Learn ways that you can teach yourself how to fix these problems: Does your jaw move when you tongue? is your tone harsh or airy? Is it hard to play? Do you blow one puff of air for each note? Is your throat tight? See a dramatic improvement in these areas and more even after just the first lesson

sax_at_workbench

Service to all woodwinds- specialists in woodwinds not just another we fix everything ( sort of) music store

Professional performing Musicians, Band teachers and discerning amateurs send their instruments to us. Expert repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North.
100% Prince George other music stores send their repairs to Vancouver etc.. Why wait longer and pay more when you can get the same service the pro's get right here in town.

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Rico Reeds and more..

The same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.

YamahaCSGClarinet_001

Simon Cole principal clarinet Prince George Symphony plays Yamaha CSG clarinets

A refined and ringing tone, superb intonation and response. I have played most of the major brands. Buffet R13, Festival (which I like a lot) Prestige, Greenlines, Selmer Recitals, Leblanc Opus and tried most others (Tosca etc.), they are all fine clarinets. Is the CSG the best? No, the best is situational but it is one hell of a fine clarinet and what I choose to play on.

We have done background music for most of the big companies and associations. eg. Canfor, Northwood, Northern Health, City of Prince George, UNBC, Chamber of Commerce, CNC, Canadian Rural Health Society, Art Gallery, UNBC Child Care Gala, Coast Inn of the North, Power House Realty We are very easy to deal with and our product is very high quality.

Live Music Small groups of 2-5 up to a small band . ph 250-563-4693 or email

When you hire us you also help the charitable work we do in the community. here we are donating our services once again for a charitable dinner.

New Horizons Band
Saxophones NEW
Nobel Flutes
Woodwind Instruction
Woodwind Repairs
Music Store
Simon Plays Yamaha CSG Clarinets
Musicians for your event

Mozart clarinet concerto

another standing O which I accepted on his behalf

Alban Classical

Volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thanksgiving Dinner (we also played their Dec dinner and did the same for the Salvation army). When your business hires us to play this is one of the things you are supporting.

AC Trio-bringing music to the people

playing Klezmer music at the farmers market-sat 11-2

Robin

Learn to play as well as Robin and you too will be frequently asked to perform. Participate in the musical life of your community.

Studio News

DEC 27-31 lessons are on for those that want them if you want to break let us know.

Exams Next session is in June, remember you must be able to play all your material by the sign up date(March 6 for June 11-30 exams) to have my permission to proceed.

Music Festival. Sign up deadline is in early Jan Reminder ! 2 copies of your music and a piano accompanist are needed
Remember the pieces you have been composing can also be entered.

NEW We have added a number of sing along and play along files for the grade 2 flute and voice exams and Grade 3 voice exam
A NEW section where you can download sheet music and methods. (log in in to see it) The grade 2 sax exam scales have been updated-bug fix.

Nobel Clarinet

14041 Bb CLARINET, brushed hard rubber body for a wood-like sound and finish, wear resistant nickel plated keys, waterproof Valentino pads, French blue steel needle springs, genuine cork bumpers and tenons, bell ring, 65mm Moenig bore barrel, light case with back pack straps. The quasi-indestructible nature of Valentino pads render the Nobel completely airtight and fully resonant. A best choice for a sound investment. $495

Every clarinet is set up and play tested before sale, most stores do not do this. This clarinet has had some undercutting of higher tone holes and resetting of pad heights done for better pitch and tone.

The material, reverse taper barrel and design give this clarinet a more mature rich sound when compared to standard student clarinets costing hundreds more. I have played one in the orchestra for outdoor concerts.

Twitter

Last 2 tweets from composernorth:

A Tragic story.

16 January 2012 18 January 2012

So this student brings in a saxophone, he has played for 2 years without any success he now hates the instrument.

This young student is one who will practice piano for an hour without being pushed, so obviously both the work ethic and the desire is there.
His instrument was rented from a well know supplier of musical instruments with a PG outlet. Looking at the instrument, in 15 seconds I was able to see that it would never play, the mechanism was out of align.
It's more than likely that this student’s parents paid for 2 years of rental on a non-functional instrument. The store rented it without checking it and the band teacher never thought to see if the otherwise keen and bright student was having problems because of the instrument.

So
• If there is any doubt bring the instrument to me so I can check it out ( and the players technique as well).
• Buy an instrument from CWW you know it will be a good one- that works. For the rental price of an instrument that didn't work they could have bought a new sax from CWW
• Don’t assume that lack of talent or work ethic is the problem- it could be the instrument or playing technique.
• Know that because of the cost of maintenance (vs. the low rental fees) music stores are often tempted to skip it if the horn looks ok.

Have realistic expectations.

16 January 2012 16 January 2012

Generally this is how it works. This is really rough.

If you never practice.
You can have fun playing the instrument (though not as much fun as you would have if you practiced)and learn a bit about music, Play in a low level group. Go to lessons (which then become guided practice) using you instrument to learn about music including its theory, history, how muscles work etc. You will improve (slowly) just playing in a group but lessons are all the more crucial since it’s easy to get off track.

Read more...

Playing Flute Clarinet and Saxophone

12 December 2011 12 December 2011

Over the past 2 weeks I have played separate professional engagements on flute (classical), sax ( jazz) and clarinet (classical). Though each instrument has its own special techniques they are more similar than they are different. I say this because overwhelmingly the things that make the instrument(s) work well are basic musical skills as they pertain to woodwinds in particular: sensitive formation of the embouchure, air/breath control, shaping of the resonant chamber of the mouth appropriate to the pitch, dynamics register and desired tone color and good musicianship including having a well developed tone concept.

How to Practise Piano Scales

06 September 2011 09 September 2011

They are many ways to practise scales. My favourite method is as follows. I set the metronome at a nice comfortable speed, 60 to the quarter note. I play the scale in quarters, then eighths, then triplets (for a two octave scale play the scale 3x in a row so that you end up on the downbeat), then sixteenths.

Grade 3 Minor Arpeggio

08 July 2011

Minor Arpeggio for RCM voice exam grade 3

Grade 3 Major Arpeggio

08 July 2011

Major Arpeggio for RCM voice exam grade 3

Fetivals and Exams

10 January 2012 13 January 2012

Music Festivals and Exams

One should be somewhat clear about their goals when starting music lessons themselves or enrolling their children in them.

Music not just another skill or qualification, a line item on a resume, it is an art. If it is approached properly it will add a lot to the participants’ life. Not only is it a beautiful and complex art but the study of music, playing an instrument, playing with others or composing involves many aspects of life that might not at first seem obvious.

My goal is to have the student have a pleasant and rewarding experience as free of stress as possible so music remains an escape, a solace, a source of companionship and camaraderie and fun for the rest of their lives. If it just becomes another course the chances of them quitting never to return, are very high.

The dropout rate in music lessons is very high. Most of my students however continue for years and still play.

Read more...

Piano Scales - Preparatory A

20 September 2011 21 September 2011

Tech for the Piano Scales - Preparatory A exam. Register to read more...

Saxophone

01 September 2011 06 January 2012

For all saxophone players

Learn all about saxophone in a fun low pressure atmosphere. Reeds, mouthpieces, technique tone, how to blow, tongue, play fast, make a beautiful sound, jazz techniques and play fun music in a group.

Saturdays from 1:30-2:15. For all saxophone players. Cost $140 for 14 sessions only $70 for 14 sessions if you are already taking lessons with us. You can start at any time.

For more information: call Simon at 563-4693 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it