Q & A with the Owner
Q. My daughter is going into the fourth grade next September. She has shown interest in playing the clarinet. Her great aunt has offered her clarinet to my daughter. Is it wise, or should we rent an instrument the first year?
A. We would recommend bringing it in to the shop for a free evaluation. Since we work close with the music educators is your area, Socha's is aware of teacher standards when it comes to instruments. There is nothing worse than to begin a music student on an instrument that does not play in tune or is of inferior quality. Many times, for less than the cost of a yearly rental fee. Older, high quality instruments can be reconditioned to excellent playing condition.
Q. My mouthpiece got stuck and my dad tried to take it out with vise grips. He broke off the mouthpipe and braces and now I can't play it. The concert is in two days! The mouthpiece is still stuck and chewed up. What am I going to tell my teacher?
A. Sorry to hear about your trumpet. Accidents do happen. Socha's specializes in emergency repairs. Bring it in as soon as possible and we will have it ready in a few hours. Remember, we usually pull stuck mouthpieces free of charge without damaging the horn. While in the shop, inspect our new line of mouthpieces.
Q. We have been going to garage sales looking for a saxophone to give our son. Some seem to be in good condition. Prices though, still appear to be high. What should we be looking for in a used instrument?
A. My experience going to garage sales to pick up a "bargain" are similar to yours. Many instruments are sitting in moldy cases, key rods and screws are rusted in, and pads are usually eaten away. Some brass horns have smaller bores, they may be pitched differently than today's standards, and the piston plating is worn off. Most make only good wall hangings. Do your homework. The internet and local repair shops can give you values for used instruments in varying conditions that may assist you in your purchasing decisions.
Q. The local box store is advertising a new student line flute for $189. Compared to other flutes we have priced on the internet, it seems like a good deal. After renting for two years, we feel like we are just throwing our money away and should invest in an instrument of our own. Does this make sense?
A. Owning does make sense. However, you should look close as to what you are getting for $189. As you have noticed on the internet, the average price of proven brand name flutes run around $1000. or more. Box store instruments in most cases are not worth repairing. Parts are not available and they usually play out of tune. Key action is sloppy and if keys break, which they will, cannot be brazed. We would suggest purchasing a quality reconditioned flute if budgeting is of concern. It will be more than $189., but you will get many good years out of it and it will be much less than a comparable new one. Resale and trade in values are also much better.
A. We would recommend bringing it in to the shop for a free evaluation. Since we work close with the music educators is your area, Socha's is aware of teacher standards when it comes to instruments. There is nothing worse than to begin a music student on an instrument that does not play in tune or is of inferior quality. Many times, for less than the cost of a yearly rental fee. Older, high quality instruments can be reconditioned to excellent playing condition.
Q. My mouthpiece got stuck and my dad tried to take it out with vise grips. He broke off the mouthpipe and braces and now I can't play it. The concert is in two days! The mouthpiece is still stuck and chewed up. What am I going to tell my teacher?
A. Sorry to hear about your trumpet. Accidents do happen. Socha's specializes in emergency repairs. Bring it in as soon as possible and we will have it ready in a few hours. Remember, we usually pull stuck mouthpieces free of charge without damaging the horn. While in the shop, inspect our new line of mouthpieces.
Q. We have been going to garage sales looking for a saxophone to give our son. Some seem to be in good condition. Prices though, still appear to be high. What should we be looking for in a used instrument?
A. My experience going to garage sales to pick up a "bargain" are similar to yours. Many instruments are sitting in moldy cases, key rods and screws are rusted in, and pads are usually eaten away. Some brass horns have smaller bores, they may be pitched differently than today's standards, and the piston plating is worn off. Most make only good wall hangings. Do your homework. The internet and local repair shops can give you values for used instruments in varying conditions that may assist you in your purchasing decisions.
Q. The local box store is advertising a new student line flute for $189. Compared to other flutes we have priced on the internet, it seems like a good deal. After renting for two years, we feel like we are just throwing our money away and should invest in an instrument of our own. Does this make sense?
A. Owning does make sense. However, you should look close as to what you are getting for $189. As you have noticed on the internet, the average price of proven brand name flutes run around $1000. or more. Box store instruments in most cases are not worth repairing. Parts are not available and they usually play out of tune. Key action is sloppy and if keys break, which they will, cannot be brazed. We would suggest purchasing a quality reconditioned flute if budgeting is of concern. It will be more than $189., but you will get many good years out of it and it will be much less than a comparable new one. Resale and trade in values are also much better.