• 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. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.

     

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  • Woodwind Repairs

    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 from Prince George. Repair and service for your instruments so they and you play at 100% all the time. 

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  • Music Lessons

    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles.
     Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music as a fun and rewarding part of their lives- forever.

    Recommended by band teachers.

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  • Yamaha CSG Clarinets

     Simon Cole principal clarinet Prince George Symphony 

    A refined and ringing tone, superb intonation and response.

  • Sponsors of

     the New Horizons Senior Band For adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 530-730 1st Baptist Church in PG for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or email him.

    Read More at  Alban Classical

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  • for your event

    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-16 22:23:53
    We have done background music for most of the big companies and associations. 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 .…
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  • Saxophones NEW

    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-18 00:49:46
      #15007 soprano saxophone, straight body with two necks (straight & angled), clear lacquered body and keys, high F# key, low C# lock, pivoting low Bb spatula, engraved bell, high quality leather pads with metal resonators, roomy wood-shell case.…
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  • Nobel Flutes

    By Erica / 2009-06-11 06:11:38
    Nobel Flute #11230 high quality student flute, silver plated throughout, closed holes (plateaux), offset G key, C footjoint. This flute is a best seller within the Nobel catalogue. It outperforms many brands of flutes in this category.…
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  • Music Store

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    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. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.  
    Read More +

  • Woodwind Repairs

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 09:30:22
    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 from Prince George. Repair and service for…
    Read More +

  • Music Lessons

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles. Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music…
    Read More +
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Popular Features

  • Crack Repair
  • Bent Flute
  • Tone hole Repair
  • Cork pads on clarinet
  • New dent removal tools
Having lived and played in a Northern city for close to 20 years I have become a minor expert on cracked woodwinds. Not only is it cold and dry but we often have to play in drafty or cold halls a sure recipe for woodwind cracks. Read More
Uh........ Dad I think I sat on my Flute!Read More
We can replace broken tone holes Read More
ImageThis is a Selmer series 10S clarinet and a Selmer recital  they are beautiful clarinets in great condition.
 The A in particular does not play as one would expect however, response tuning and tone are poor.
 These are usually very good clarinets. A quick check reveals that the pads do not cover, they are skin pads which have warped over time.

I am going to repad the top joint with cork pads on all keys which are usually in the closed position.
 The other 2 keys will have traditional skin pads.
Read More
Image
We have added MDR
 (magnetic dent removal tools) to our repertoire.
Read More
One Song Universus

Just showing up is half the battle

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Published on Wednesday, 22 November 2006 15:57
Written by Simon Cole

show upOne the things that makes up drop out of activities like music or sports is the feeling that we are not prepared for the class or didn't practice enough. 

 So we worry that we will look bad or the instructor will disapprove or perhaps that we are wasting our money. Sometimes this can be enough to stop us even starting.

Regardless of the activity it's all about getting better not about being at “the level”, whatever that is.

“When we stop getting better we cease to be good” said Oliver Cromwell.

Don't let your ego get in the way of your progress. To be a good student you need to stop worrying about yourself (the ego part anyway) and just think of (and enjoy) the thing you are doing.

 

Everyone has their ups and downs (including the instructor) and if the instructor senses you are tired or not prepared the lesson is instantly adjusted.

 

Your lesson or class time can be spent reviewing fundamentals, this will make it easier to practice later as you will have a better idea of what it is you have to do. It takes time to understand what it is we have to practice. New pathways must be created in our brains. Your lesson can be some time of guided practice, a workout if you like, that will show you how to practice later.

 

I may be a master of things musical but in my martial arts training I am the student ( actually anyone who has really mastered an art will tell you that they consider themselves to still be a student, but you know what I mean)


I may have a class Monday but for the next class on Tuesday I will have had little time to practice, I may be exhausted at the end of the day but I go to class regardless and a few things happen.

 

Since I am doing something completely different it is a nice change of pace, refreshing for the mind and the body. Because I am going to class regularly my mind will be constantly turning over information related to the activity and making sense of it (even though I may not be consciously thinking of it).

 

Practicing becomes less tiring as I don't have to work as hard trying to figure out what it is I am supposed to do.  
 Because the Martial arts are a true art and are in their own way just as involved as music, I know that even if I am not 100% prepared for the class there is still an infinite number of things I can learn.


All arts have basic principles. As we progress in our art we repeat these principles but with an ever greater level of awareness.

Of course practicing will increase your progress and enjoyment even more.

Simon Cole

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. 

Play along

  • Jazz improv play along CDs and guide

    I have made a 3 track play along CD and guide for my students to practice improvising it is available FREE for… Read More +

  • RCM G1 Clar

    RCM clarinet grade 1 scales Scales for the grade 1 clarinet exam. You can adjust the speed and also print… Read More +

  • RCM G4 Clar

    RCM clarinet exam grade 4 These are the technical requirements for the exam. Remember to play them all slurred, all… Read More +

  • RCM G2 Clar

    RCM Grade 2 Clarinet Scales Technical requirements for the RCM exam. Play along use the speed slider to start at… Read More +

  • Clar scales

    Free Scales for Clarinet Major Minor Harmonic These scales can be printed. You can also play along with them and… Read More +
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Alban Classical


Private performance April 14

PGSO April 21

Wind World Alban classical school show April 23 and 30