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Other Musical Instruments/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Pipa | 6/19/2011 | The Doctor |
| Q: I was wondering if the Pipa is an instrument that would be worth purchasing. I have been a musician ... A: The pipa - or "Chinese lute" (English slang) - is usually played in an upright or nearly-upright ... | ||
| Harmonica | 10/7/2010 | The Doctor |
| Q: Friends have six musical kids who play guitars and other string instruments. I want to give them a ... A: The type of harmonicas that you get them can depend on how the instruments will be used. I will ... | ||
| CAN A RECORDER BE REFINISHED? | 12/18/2009 | The Doctor |
| Q: as you deal with "other musical instruments". I just acquired a German-made tenor recorder, in good ... A: As a disclaimer I should state that any changes you make to the instrument are entirely your ... | ||
| Euphomium red rot | 5/1/2009 | Kenneth |
| Q: I own a 3 valve Yamaha euphonium that I bought new three years ago. In several places, mainly along ... A: From your description, it dosen't sound like you have a serious problem, just some cosmetic ... | ||
| piccolo | 4/12/2009 | The Doctor |
| Q: when was the piccolo invented? A: A quick search online brought up the following information and, from the source of the material, it ... | ||
| Cellos and Composer Biographies | 4/9/2009 | The Doctor |
| Q: I have several years experience with piano, guitar, and trombone. I've never had to shop for an ... A: You might find that a local individual might be selling a cello via craigslist.org at a fair price. ... | ||
| Buying Used Cellos | 4/8/2009 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I'm shopping around for a used, full-sized cello. What sort of things should I be looking for as to ... A: I'm sorry I hadn't gotten back to you earlier. I had left my computer back at the university, as I ... | ||
| Cellos and Composer Biographies | 4/8/2009 | The Doctor |
| Q: I have several years experience with piano, guitar, and trombone. I've never had to shop for an ... A: There are a few immediate possibilities to consider when looking for a beginner full-size cello. You ... | ||
| Bariton | 2/9/2009 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: Wanting to buy a better instrument i came across this one : Bohland &fuchs type egerl. 3cyl. My ... A: I'm sorry that it has taken so long to get back to your question. I've simply been quite swamped ... | ||
| brass instrument | 2/5/2009 | Paul J. Smith |
| Q: What kind of instrument looks like a trumpet but has keys like a french horn? A: Nancy: Thanks for the question. The instrument to which you refer is indeed a trumpet (or possibly ... | ||
| Andrew Schroetter cello | 1/27/2009 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I was given an Andrew Schroetter cello during high school (1974) and am wondering what its value is ... A: I really wish I could help you here. Although I have extensive experience in music theory and music ... | ||
| Brass baritone | 1/17/2009 | Kenneth |
| Q: I just bought a Conn baritone with removable horn. I would like to take a "crease" out of the horn ... A: There are a whole lot of specialized tools and a lot of know-how involved in brass instrument dent ... | ||
| sunn audio | 1/7/2009 | Paul J. Smith |
| Q: I have a Sunn Coliseum 8 channel audio controller, Non powered. I'm guessing it was made in the 60s. ... A: Chuck: Thanks for the question. I have not had any personal experience with that specific piece of ... | ||
| Getzen Cornet | 12/28/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I am trying to find out what the value of a Getzen Cornet would be - I think it was the Capri Model, ... A: I really wish I could help you out, but I just really can't appraise instruments for people. Not ... | ||
| piezoelectric pickup for double bass | 12/25/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: Three years ago I installed a Fishman PB-100 pickup on my double bass.The pick-up elements are ... A: You're in luck. I just helped my room mate with installing some new pickups on his upright. We ... | ||
| trumpet quality and age | 11/8/2008 | Kenneth |
| Q: We just purchased a silver Bach TR300 trumpet, serial number G52124, and said to be in "excellent" ... A: A Bach TR300 is a good instrument, so you should be fine as long as it was represented accurately on ... | ||
| Vintage contrabassoon Oscar Adler | 10/23/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I have huge vintage contrabassoon Oscar Adler in good condition. Serial number 1049. Bell silver ... A: I'll do my best to give you a hand and provide you with any information that I can, but appraisals ... | ||
| Which is harder, singing or playing an instrument? | 10/1/2008 | John W. Watson |
| Q: My friend and I have been having a recurring debate over which is harder--singing or playing an ... A: JB- Thanks for your question! It's a great one!! It took me awhile to think about it. I think that ... | ||
| bass guitar | 9/29/2008 | Paul J. Smith |
| Q: Whats the difference between a regualr bass and a left-handed bass A: Malcolm! There is really only one major difference between what you called regular - or ... | ||
| Bassoon plastic or wood what is the better choice | 9/21/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: my sons used the school bassoon for the last few years. now we going to buy him his own bassoon. my ... A: Great question, mate. Well, you have your pro's and con's here for each type. Wood pros: 1. Wood ... | ||
| Selmer Soloist Alto Sax | 9/6/2008 | Kenneth |
| Q: I have a recently re-corked 3 yr old Sax Model #ASOL300 Serial # AK089AS that I am looking to ... A: We are not able to give appraisals in this forum. However, you would be able to get a pretty good ... | ||
| trombone ding | 8/26/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: Zack, how can i tell if a nickle size ding on the middle of the flare of the trombone will affect ... A: Beyond a professional level, it shouldn't distort the sound. The denting of a horn's flare doesn't ... | ||
| Double Bass setup | 8/7/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I have recently bought my 1st double bass and am excited about getting started learning to play it. ... A: Well, although I have played the bass a lot, I have never set it up myself. I'd leave it to the ... | ||
| BALIOL CELLO | 7/29/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I have two cellos that I have recently bought off ebay. one 2 years ago as a starting instrument, ... A: I'm sorry, I can't help you with the price. I'm not here to appraise instruments, sorry. Ask the ... | ||
| Cello flip | 7/29/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I am a student and hopefully will be starting cello lessons at my new school, the only problem is, ... A: I'm glad you came to me regarding your question. Like you, I learned the electric bass left handed ... | ||
| melodica | 7/22/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: i was trying to get an idea of the value of a honher melodica piano 26.... grey metal with off white ... A: I'm sorry for my late reply, however I believe this is out of my area of expertise and cannot answer ... | ||
| bass guitar | 6/18/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I play an acoustic bass guitar for some years now.I've got a problem that a lot of bass playing ... A: It's very common for people to obtain black fingers from playing on new strings. I don't know why, ... | ||
| Cello - Knilling Klaus Geisler 174F | 6/3/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I've recently purchased this above instrument for my wife, but can find very little information ... A: Are you 100% positive that it was a 174F? I haven't heard of a model like the "Celiobaumeister" ... | ||
| Piccolo | 6/3/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I have a piccolo which is basically new. There is no name on it but has a 32 stamped on it. The ... A: Hm. Yeah, this is pretty interesting. If you could provide a picture of your piccolo, that'd be ... | ||
| Euphoniums | 5/29/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: What does the 4th valve on a 4-valve compensating euphonium actually do? A: The fourth valve in the euphonium provides a drop in pitch by 5 half-steps. Mostly, musicians will ... | ||
| Restring a right-handed bass? | 5/20/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I'm a newcomer to playing the bass, but the thing is I have a right-handed bass and I'm left handed. ... A: I'm so sorry about my late reply. I had been so busy and over loaded with work. In order for me to ... | ||
| Restring a right-handed bass | 5/20/2008 | The Doctor |
| Q: I'm a newcomer to playing the bass, but the thing is I have a right-handed bass and I'm left handed. ... A: Just to keep things clear, I'll specify which hands do what on right-handed and left-handed bass, so ... | ||
| octave mandolin | 4/14/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: do you know what the difference between an octive mandolin and a traditional eight string mandolin? A: I'm sorry. Although I've played a little bit of mandolin here and there, I hadn't had the chance to ... | ||
| tunes | 4/9/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: I have taken up the euphonium again after a long absence from it. I have been practicing on my own ... A: Sorry about my late reply. Buzzing usually just comes along with playing, but whenever I'd drive to ... | ||
| Trombones | 2/28/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: Well......my trombone is really dinged up. The brass is coming off and its not very appealing. Is it ... A: Yeah, you can actually get them repaired. My trombone, which was my great grandfather's trombone ... | ||
| viola | 2/21/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: i am interested in playing a viola. i know nothing about playing instruments or reading music. i ... A: Although I have not played viola myself, perhaps I can shed some light on where you may purchase a ... | ||
| mandolins | 2/10/2008 | Zachary D'Alessio |
| Q: what is the difference between a regular mandolin and a resonator mandolin: such as differt parts, ... A: First off, I'd like to apologize about the lack of punctuality in my response. I've had email ... | ||
| don t know what it is | 7/17/2007 | The Doctor |
| Q: everything is wood, 7 inch thick abot 14 inches long 3 guitar strings, 11 pegs to hit string inside ... A: Based on the description you provided, gathering the given details along with some searching and ... | ||
| M. J. Kalashen horn | 7/3/2007 | The Doctor |
| Q: Recently my husbands employee came across a horn with the inscription "M. J. Kalashen New York 132" ... A: That inscription is likely of either the maker or original owner; New York being where it was made ... | ||
| Mandolins | 11/30/2006 | The Doctor |
| Q: I am thinking of learning to play the mandolin. I have no previous music experience. What is the ... A: The mandolin is a great instrument and one can really enjoy playing it. It is a very comfortable ... | ||
The Doctor
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Please note that my specialty in this section does NOT include piano or organ. Please, NO QUESTIONS REGARDING: serial numbers, appraisals, pricing, value or restorations. Thank you! Otherwise, I answer a variety of questions about "other" musical instruments, particularly of the stringed or percussive variety. I have multiple music degrees and years of experience in the field. When asking your question: 1. Please be clear in your message. 2. Provide actual question(s). 3. Please keep it short and concise. 4. Save my one-question-per-day for someone else if you can find the answer on your own. And finally, please, again, *no* questions regarding: serial numbers, appraisals, pricing, value, restorations, or when a particular instrument or device was made. Thank you!!!
Experience
15 years professional experience.
Education/Credentials
BM, BME, MM, DMA.
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