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How to Sell Your Woodwind or Brass Instrument
If you’re looking to sell a quality used Woodwind & Brass instrument we may be able to help. We offer three main ways to sell your instrument via Dawkes:
- Commission Sale
- Part-Exchange
- Buy-In
In this blog we’re primarily giving information about our Commission Sale process which is our main option. However, we do also offer part-exchange and straight buy-ins occasionally if it’s a very popular model (and depending on our stock). Part-exchange values are given in-store so we would recommend booking a visit to see us and try out new gear to trade your instrument against.
The Classical Guide to Funk: Saxophone Edition
If you’ve come up through the world of études and sonatas, funk might feel like a different planet. The good news? You already have the control and discipline – now you can channel that into crisp articulation and improvisation. Funk solos don’t demand endless runs; they thrive on short riffs, rhythmic variation, and space. With the foundation you already have, it’s about loosening the edges and letting groove take the lead.
Christopher Bill at Dawkes Music
Featured in The Trombonist, magazine of the British Trombone Society
In late April, we were delighted to welcome trombonist and YouTuber Christopher Bill to Dawkes in Maidenhead. The event came together at fairly late notice, but the opportunity arose for us to host a workshop with Christopher, kindly supported by Denis Wick, with whom Christopher is an endorsee (he plays a Wick 12CS mouthpiece.) Many thanks to the British Trombone Society for featuring the event in their magazine, The Trombonist.
The Importance of Warming Up (with Hannah Shilvock)
It’s easy to skip a warm-up when you’re short on time, but those few minutes of preparation make a big difference. Just like athletes don’t sprint without stretching, clarinettists need to ease their body and instrument into playing. A mindful warm-up not only helps your clarinet respond more easily, it also protects you from tension, pain, and potential long-term injury. Here are some easy steps to add into your routine, along with a pro tip from clarinetist and yoga teacher, Hannah Shilvock!
Improve Your Flute Tuning Today! With Thom Conroy
Getting the flute in tune isn’t just about pulling out the headjoint or rolling it in. Improve your flute tuning fast today with the help of pro player and multi-instrumentalist Thom Conroy. He reminds us that the quickest way to improve tuning is to understand how your own setup affects pitch, and how each note requires precision. Small adjustments in flute placement, embouchure angle, and the direction of your air stream can make all the difference.
Upgrading Your Clarinet: Selmer Prologue & Presence
When it comes to upgrading from a student clarinet, or even choosing your very first wooden instrument, two names in the Selmer range stand out: the Prologue and the Presence. Both are beautifully designed wooden clarinets with features that make them ideal stepping stones at different stages of your musical journey.
We spoke with Selmer clarinet product manager Stéphane Gentil, Dawkes’ head technician Abi Taylor, and professional player Hannah Shilvock to find out what makes these models so special.
Back to School: Picking Up Your Woodwind Instrument After a Break
As the new school year begins, the music bags are being dusted off and practice routines are starting up again. Whether you’re a student returning back to school or an adult player getting back into the swing after some time away, picking up your Woodwind instrument after a break can seem a challenge, but easing yourself (and your instrument!) back in carefully makes all the difference.
Understanding Brass Mouthpieces: A Beginner’s Guide
by Matt Sanders (Dawkes Brass Specialist)
All brass players wonder at one time or another whether or not making a change to their mouthpiece will help. Could it give them more range, more volume or a bigger sound? A change in the mouthpiece can yield fantastic results to the player. You can achieve faster, higher and louder from just a small change.
This beginner’s guide to understanding brass mouthpieces will walk you through the golden rules of choosing the right mouthpiece and explain what all the technical details really mean. We spoke to trombonist Christopher Bill, who shared insights into his current setup using Denis Wick products – and why your own setup can make such a big difference to your playing.
Exploring Selmer Paris’ Professional Clarinets
with Hannah Shilvock, Stéphane Gentil, and Abi Taylor
In our recent video, clarinetist Hannah Shilvock joined Selmer Paris product manager Stéphane Gentil and our head technician Abi Taylor are exploring four of Selmer Paris’ professional clarinets: the Recital, Signature, Privilege, and Muse. Together, they offered a combination of performer insight and technical expertise – discussing design history, acoustic goals, and the Hannah’s personal experience for each model.
Saxophone Fingerings: A Complete Guide to Alternatives
These are some of saxophonist Preston Cummins’ most frequently used alternative fingerings, selected for their practicality, tuning flexibility, and tonal versatility. In his accompanying video, Preston demonstrates each option – including side Bb, side C, alternate G# positions, and venting techniques – so you can both see and hear how they work in context.
This complete guide to alternatives serves as a written reference to those saxophone fingerings, helping you apply them more confidently in your own playing.
A View from the Bench
By Abi Taylor, Head Technician
In collaboration with the British Double Reed Society, their Spring 2025 edition for ‘Double Reed News’ features Abi Taylor, our Head Technician, who offers a personal look into life at the repair bench. “A View From the Bench” shares insights into the craft that keeps our instruments – and performances – in top form.
