How do you know what is a good tutor book for learning an instrument? (Children & Adults)
Every teacher will have their favourite tutor book, or set of books, to use whilst teaching and there are several to choose from.
You are perfectly entitled to pick your own book however – there is no harm in having more than one tutor book. Some books are designed and written specifically for children and will often include pictures, stickers, puzzles or worksheets, and “fun” elements.
There is no reason why an adult can’t use these either so if you are learning with your child go for one of these. Children’s books are often slower moving through the stages too so if you want to feel more confident and spend longer on each element then use one of these.
Adult tutor books tend to move quicker and get you playing pieces sooner. It is however important to remember that you need to learn properly and rushing through doesn’t always mean that you have covered every element thoroughly.
Learning any instrument needs to be thorough. If you were building a house and had sloppy foundations your house wouldn’t be nearly as solid as if you had spent time building the foundations properly and giving plenty of attention to detail and using decent materials.
What are Good Tutor Books for Learning the Clarinet?
A good tutor book will show you all the basics from putting the clarinet together to holding the instrument and then getting a sound out of it. Without this you are not really going to get anywhere so it is very useful to have this basic information.
A New Tune a Day for Clarinet (publisher Boston Music Company) is a great example of a book that will take you through all the stages of pre-learning and then learning each note.
It has clear illustrations showing which keys need putting down and taking you through the theory too. The hardest part of learning an instrument is to get going. You need to learn so much information such as reading the notes, knowing the note durations and then playing them using both hands and all your fingers.
A New Tune a Day teaches you one note at a time and then joins these notes to each other in a simple piece of music.
It is clear and easy to follow. The book will take you comfortably and a little beyond Grade 1.
The book has some tunes that will be familiar but overall are pieces put together especially for the clarinet and thorough learning of each note.
Best Clarinet Book for Self-Teaching
Publisher: Music Sales Limited
ISBN-13: 978-1849389181
Most tutor books will now come with an option to have a CD with backing, or a download with backing. These are useful for learning how to count as you play, and it can make the pieces more exciting when you have only a few notes on the go!
Absolute Beginners Clarinet is a great example of a book with a supporting CD.
Best Clarinet Book for Children
Publisher: Faber Music Ltd; Second Edition edition
ISBN-13: 978-0571522828
Tutor books that are worth looking at are Abracadabra Clarinet, Cool Clarinet or Paul Harris’ Clarinet Basics. Some books are more suited to group teaching and will have duets or ensemble pieces within in them.
Some will have a piano accompaniment in them which is great if your teacher plays the piano as well, or they will have a separate book with the accompaniments in it.
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Purchasing your flute
You can purchase your hire flute. At any point during your agreement you can contact us to arrange the purchase. All of the payments made, up to a maximum of six months, will contribute towards the purchase price listed below.
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Jupiter JFL511 Reconditioned
£299
Jupiter JFL700 New
£469
Trevor James 10X II Reconditioned
£299
Trevor James 10XE Reconditioned
£349
Trevor James 10XE New
£499
Yamaha YFL211 Reconditioned
£369
Yamaha YFL212 Reconditioned
£449
Yamaha YFL212 New
£599
Jupiter JFL511 Curved Head
£329
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£379
Yamaha YFL211 Curved Head
£399
Trevor James Cantabile Flute Reconditioned
£749
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£799
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John Packer JP051 Trumpet – New
£189
John Packer JP051 Trumpet – Reconditioned
£149
John Packer JP171 Cornet – New
£289
John Packer JP171 Cornet – Reconditioned
£249
Jupiter JTR500 Trumpet – New
£489
Jupiter JTR500 Trumpet – Reconditioned
£329
Jupiter JTR300 Trumpet
£239
Jupiter JCR520 Cornet – Reconditioned
£239
Yamaha YTR1335 Trumpet – Reconditioned
£299
Yamaha YTR2335 Trumpet – Reconditioned
£349
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You can purchase your hire Clarinet. At any point during your agreement you can contact us to arrange the purchase. All of the payments made, up to a maximum of six months, will contribute towards the purchase price listed below.
Simply email or phone us, and we’ll arrange the rest. All purchased instruments are guaranteed for one year after the purchase date.
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Jupiter JCL631 Reconditioned
£219
Jupiter JCL700 Reconditioned
£389
Jupiter JCL700 New
£469
Yamaha YCL250 Reconditioned
£299
Yamaha YCL255 Reconditioned
£389
Yamaha YCL255 New
£499
Buffet B12 Reconditioned
£269
Buffet Prodige Reconditioned
£389
Buffet Prodige New
£469
Buffet E11
£649
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You can purchase your hire Violin. At any point during your agreement you can contact us to arrange the purchase. All of the payments made, up to a maximum of six months, will contribute towards the purchase price listed below.
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1/8 Andreas Zeller & Stentor II
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Hire Only
1/2 Andreas Zeller & Stentor II
Hire Only
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Hire Only
4/4 Reconditioned Stentor II Plus (Inc set up, case, bow, shoulder rest &, D’Addario Ascenté strings & rosin)
£169
4/4 NEW Stentor II Plus (Inc set up, case, bow, shoulder rest &, D’Addario Ascenté strings & rosin)
4/4 NEW Stentor Conservatoire Plus(Inc set up, case, P&H bow, shoulder rest, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£389
4/4 Andreas Zeller Plus(Inc set up ,case, P&H bow, shoulder rest, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£339
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£399
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Hire Only
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Reconditioned Stentor I 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Prelude Strings & rosin)
£549
Brand New Stentor I 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Prelude Strings & rosin)
£749
Reconditioned Stentor II 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£669
Brand New Stentor II 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£999
Reconditioned Conservatoire 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£945
New Conservatoire 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£1246
European ‘B’ Grade 4/4 Cello (Inc full workshop set up, case, P&H bow, D’Addario Helicore Strings & rosin)
£650
European 4/4 Cello
£799
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Trevor James Alphasax
Hire Only
New John Packer JP041 Alto Saxophone
£399
Reconditioned John Packer JP041 Alto Saxophone
£329
New J Michael Alto Saxophone
£499
Reconditioned J Michael Alto Saxophone
£429
New Jupiter JAS500 Alto Saxophone
£789
Reconditioned Jupiter JAS567 Alto Saxophone
£399
New Trevor James “The Horn” Alto Saxophone
£579
Reconditioned Trevor James “The Horn” Alto Saxophone
£429
Yamaha YAS275 Alto Saxophone
£849
What is a lip plate & riser?
All flutes have a lip plate and riser to blow across. The material they are made with can make a huge difference to the sound of the flute.
Most student flutes have historically only had silver plated lip plate and riser, but now quality student flute will often have .925 silver plates and riser.
What is .925 silver?
Simply, pure silver would be too soft and easily damaged. When 92.5% of pure silver is mixed with 7.5% of other metals (often copper, nickel or zinc) the resulting alloy is called sterling silver. ... In other words, .925 is the same as sterling silver, but not solid and therefore no stamp.
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Simply email or phone us, and we’ll arrange the rest. All purchased instruments are guaranteed for one year after the purchase date.
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Purchase
Yamaha NP11/12 (Including stand & sustain pedal)
£199
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£249
Yamaha NP31/32 (Including stand & sustain pedal)
£299
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£359
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John Packer JP031
£199
Jupiter JSL432
£249
Yamaha YSL 354
£319
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You can purchase your hire acoustic guitar. At any point during your agreement you can contact us to arrange the purchase. All of the payments made, up to a maximum of six months, will contribute towards the purchase price listed below.
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Yamaha F310
n/a
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Alba 1/2
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New Squier Bullet Telecaster (including amp, case, cable, & plectrum)
£259
Epiphone Les Paul Standard (including amp, case, cable, & plectrum)
£450
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£199
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£259
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New Tourtech TT12 With Headphones
£249
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£199
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£379
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£318
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Casio CDP130 Digital Piano
£249
Brand New Casio CDP S100 Digital Piano
£402
Yamaha P35 Digital Piano
£299
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£439
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You can purchase your hire viola. At any point during your agreement you can contact us to arrange the purchase. All of the payments made, up to a maximum of six months, will contribute towards the purchase price listed below.
Simply email or phone us, and we’ll arrange the rest. All purchased instruments are guaranteed for one year after the purchase date.
Viola
Purchase
Stentor II/Conservatoire 12″ Viola Outfit
Hire Only
Stentor II/Conservatoire 13″ Viola Outfit
Hire Only
Stentor II/Conservatoire 14″ Viola Outfit
Hire Only
Stentor II 15″ Viola Outfit (Inc set up, case, bow, shoulder rest &, D’Addario Ascenté strings & rosin)
If you would prefer to book your instrument delivery for a future date to coincide with the school term start, or booked music lessons, then you can add your preferred delivery date towards the bottom of the checkout page. Simply add your preferred date to the ‘Order notes/Delivery Requests’ box at the bottom of the checkout.
How it works
Checkout out as normal, adding your preferred delivery date towards the bottom of the checkout page in the ‘Order notes/Delivery Requests’
Your initial payment will be taken on the day you order by Direct Debit or credit\debit card.
You will receive an automated email to confirm your order, and confirm your delivery date.
Once you order is confirmed, your second payment date will be deferred to be one month after the delivery date