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.

Highlights From Our Big Clarinet & Sax Weekend
Our Big Clarinet & Saxophone Weekend was bursting with music, inspiration, and a whole lot of reed-fuelled excitement! From inspiring workshops to stunning concerts, the two days had something for every player.

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Clarinet Players
Clarinetists know how to obsess over tone, reeds, and the never-ending hunt for the perfect setup. Whether you’re shopping for a student, a doubler, or a seasoned orchestral player, these gift ideas hit a range of budgets and make a difference.
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Flautists
Finding the perfect gift for a flute player can be tricky – you want something practical, inspiring, and tailored to their musical needs. This blog brings you the ultimate gift guide for flautists, covering a range of options across different budgets and requirements for every player.
Discover D’Addario Saxophone Reeds
When it comes to saxophone reeds, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every player has their own sound, setup, and style. As Thom Conroy says, “The right reed on the right mouthpiece is the dream combination.” Finding yours means exploring a few options.
D’Addario offer one of the most complete reed ranges on the market – from student-friendly reeds that make learning easier, to premium organic reeds designed for the world’s top performers.
Finding Your Sound: The D’Addario Reserve Clarinet Mouthpiece Range
If you’re ready to upgrade from a standard plastic mouthpiece, the D’Addario Reserve clarinet mouthpiece range is a great place to start. We’re joined by D’Addario’s pro player, Jason Alder to demonstrate each mouthpiece and offer his impressions and advice when looking for your next upgrade.
Technician Tales: Common Saxophone Faults – And How to Prevent Them
Saxophones look tough, but they’re full of sensitive parts like pads, springs, and keywork that can be thrown out of alignment with the wrong kind of handling. In the repair workshop, our technicians see certain issues over and over again. Most of them are preventable with better habits and a little more care. Here are the top faults seen by saxophone repairers – and how to avoid them.

Master Your Flute Vibrato: Simple Steps to Improve Your Vibrato, Fast
Vibrato is a defining element of flute tone, adding warmth, colour and expressive depth to the sound. Vibrato is a controllable skill that develops through focused breathing, air control and consistent practice. With the help of pro player, Thom Conroy, the following simple steps and exercises are designed to help improve your vibrato in both the mechanics and the musicality.
Technician Tales: Common Clarinet Faults How to Avoid Them
Every clarinet player, from beginner to professional, relies on their instrument’s precision. Yet many of the repair issues technicians see are entirely preventable – small habits that, over time, lead to avoidable faults.
Below are some of the most common clarinet faults our repairers encounter, along with guidance on how to avoid them. A little awareness during daily handling can save you a trip to the workshop (and your clarinet a lot of stress).

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Technician Tales: Common Trumpet Faults and How to Prevent Them
Looking after your trumpet keeps it playing smoothly and sounding its best. Small issues can quickly become big problems if ignored. Head Technician, Abi Taylor, brings you this guide on the most common trumpet faults and how to prevent them, helping you avoid an emergency trip to our workshop!
