• Music Store

    Band Instruments, 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. 

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  • Reserve Clarinet Mouthpieces

    Reserve Bb Clarinet Mouthpieces

    ( Simon Cole plays Prarie Dawn ) (Copland)

    Inspired by the most prized, vintage mouthpieces of the 1920s, the Reserve harnesses modern technology, pioneered by D’Addario, to recreate the incomparable craftsmanship found in these legendary works of art. Available in three facings: close, medium, and medium open

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  • Repairs

    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert woodwind repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Clarinets, Flutes, Saxophones, Oboes, Bassoons are our specialty.

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  • Music Lessons

    Voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages levels .
     Have music as a fun and rewarding part of your life. Recommended by band teachers

    563-4693 or email register any time.

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  • Sponsors of

     the New Horizons Senior Band For seniors/adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 500-800 1st Baptist Church in PG. New beginner group underway  from  5-6. for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or You can start at any time.

    Hear Simon talk about the band.

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New Music

Progress

"The pattern of progress can be compared to an oncoming tide-wave after wave moves onward seemingly with the same upsurge, but once in a while, one of the waves reaches ahead of the others, and then seems to be followed by the others, until the same motion occurs anew. Progress always moves forward-it is never still. The minute one feels that a certain level has been achieved at that precise moment one stops progressing, unless one tries to reach a higher level still or else regression starts and the level goes down. Perfection does not exist, but the ambition to reach it makes for unending progress and self satisfaction."  Bonade 

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Cole's Music Band Instruments sales repairs lessons

Festival-for the student

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Written by Simon Cole

One of the parents of a student was asking me about festival, who does it, how many etc. Festival is for the student not the [parents and certainly not for the teacher. Some teachers use the students the same way a dog breeder uses competitions, to promote their kennel, I do not approve of this. This is why some years I have many students in the festival other years few. It well worth reading my general advice on festivals and exams here.

Playing Flute Clarinet and Saxophone

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Written by Simon Cole

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.

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Piano Scales - Preparatory A

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Written by Simon Cole
Tech for the Piano Scales - Preparatory A exam.

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How to Practise Piano Scales

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Written by Simon Cole

 

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. 

Read more: How to Practise Piano Scales

Sheet Music resource

Sheet Music Downloads plus Audio Files at Virtual Sheet Music

I use this daily and have just renewed my membership. A years membership is the same as buying 1 book at the music store. The music comes with accompaniments at different tempos and the quantity of music you can download and play is staggering. For a family with kids in music it would be one of the best investments you could make

School credit

Learn to play or learn to sing and get Secondary school credit.

Many successful students ! Register Now!

Authorized dealers of Nobel Band Instruments

Nobel Clarinet

Nobel_clarinet14041 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. 

Alban Classical


Private performance April 14

PGSO April 21

Wind World Alban classical school show April 23 and 30