Music for Bedford Borough and the Bedford Music Co-operative work together to offer children and young people instrumental lessons (the Co-op will teach adults too).
Most children will have an idea which instrument they would like to learn. In the first instance it’s often best to go with that. They may have had experience of playing a violin or flute at school and wish to carry on.
You’d need to consider practicalities such as the size of the learner and whether your car would accommodate a double-bass or tuba! Also, encourage your child to think about what they’d like to do with their music-making. This could help them make the right choice for them.
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if they make a choice and then further down the road wish to swap instruments. The learning would not have been wasted.
How to care for your instrument
- Be careful when taking the instrument out of its case/cover and replace it carefully when you have finished playing.
- Always keep the instrument in it case/cover when not playing it, as this keeps the instrument protected from damage. Make sure the case/cover is securely fastened when you are transporting the instrument. Do not store items on top of the instrument inside its case/cover as this can cause damage.
- Do not subject the instrument to extremes of temperature (eg near radiators, in hot cars, very cold places) as this can damage the instrument. Try to keep it in places of even temperatures and humidity.
- Make sure to clean the instrument after playing, to keep dirt or moisture from building up and causing maintenance issues later on. If necessary, the outside of the instrument can be cleaned using a duster; be very careful to not get the duster caught in the instrument, especially around strings, pegs, valves or keys as this can damage the instrument.
Stringed instruments and guitars
Take care not to put excess pressure on the strings, as they can break. When you have finished playing, wipe along the length of the strings with a soft cotton cloth to remove any dirt or grease.
Always remember to slacken the bow of stringed instruments before putting back in the case.
- Basic care and maintenance for violins, violas, cellos and double basses - including how to replace a string if it snaps.
- Basic care and maintenance for classical guitars - including how to replace a string if it snaps.
Brass instruments
Always assemble the instrument carefully and correctly, as your teacher has shown you. Make sure you use the water key frequently when playing to prevent build-up of moisture in the instrument. When you have finished playing, check that the mouthpiece is clean and dry before putting it back in its case.
Woodwind instruments
Always assemble the instrument carefully and correctly, as your teacher has shown you. When you have finished playing, always clean out the inside of your instrument using a cloth or pull-through. Clean each section of the instrument individually and check that the ends of the joints are clean and dry before putting the instrument back in its case. Store any reeds separately in a reed case.
Keyboards
Take care when connecting the instrument to the electricity supply, or use the correct batteries. Make sure that you connect up any cables correctly, including the mains adaptor and headphones if necessary. Do not let any water get onto or into the keyboard, as this can damage the instrument.
Repairs
If the instrument ever needs any repairs, please contact the Music for Bedford Borough office on 01234 718088 or email direct to the Technical Administrator at Music.Technician@bedford.gov.uk
