CB Woodwind

03/08/2026

Now in stock - Vandoren Clarinet mouthpieces!

If you’re often out of tune, playing a bit flat/sharp then the fault could be with your setup and not the instrument.
Sometimes customers will just need a stronger reed, which is a nice quick fix! Others will need a mouthpiece that gives them a bit more resistance as they play to help them achieve the best possible sound.

Upgrading your clarinet mouthpiece can improve tone quality, intonation stability, and playing ease.

Most student instruments will come with a basic plastic mouthpiece, usually made by the Clarinet manufacturer. They’re easy to play at first but as you or your student moves through the different octaves, it can limit dynamic expression and sound richness at the top end of the octave. Sometimes it’s really obvious to know when to upgrade (do they sound like a vuvuzela when playing the top notes?) sometimes your teacher will advise you, but sometimes it’s something you may not have thought about, and that’s where your local woodwind repairer whose specialist subject on mastermind could quite easily be reed/mouthpiece/ligature setups comes in!

Moving to a higher-quality mouthpiece can transform your sound without having to upgrade the instrument itself. (Although I do sell upgrade instruments too 😂)

Come and spend an hour trying out the Vandoren range in my lovely practice room and shop.

NB: This post has not been created with AI but I did borrow a phrase or two from Dawkes’ wonderful article on mouthpieces. You can read the article here: https://www.dawkes.co.uk/sound-room/clarinet-mouthpiece-ultimate-guide/?srsltid=AfmBOorgQ-rJQKQ_tr8GHtORZHcYQ8eJ8PfeSPN97TePD8BI-71geZxP

09/07/2026

Alto Sax players, are any of you free to step in and play with a fabulous Big Band in Henley this weekend? It’s the Bader Heritage band (top level band comprised of amazing players with chronic illnesses and disabilities.)
Schedule with locations etc is in the comments for the Saturday, which includes a rehearsal and playing for the Riding for Disabled Association’s Summer Festival. Sunday is a gig at a lovely pub on Peppard Common. Send me a message if you fancy stepping in to have a toot!

31/05/2026

I forget these days whom I have/haven’t told, so as it was yesterday here’s a little bit about me.

The reason I’m here today as your local Woodwind repairer is because I have MS.
When I could no longer work as a Secondary Music classroom teacher, I turned what had started out as a hobby into a business that could fit around my health and energy levels.
I had two successful rounds of a trial drug called Alemtuzumab in Feb 18 and Feb 19,
and I am proud to have been relapse free for the last 8 years.

I still have symptoms that slow me down, but I am grateful to have full mobility and the capacity to work full time.

The truest words about any condition are spoken by those who live with the symptoms.
This poem is inspired by those words in support of World Multiple Sclerosis Day.

13/05/2026

As you may have gathered, posting regularly on social media isn’t my strength! Too busy servicing all your lovely instruments! Thankfully work experience season is nearly upon us and the incoming students are keen to help me bring it all up to date!
In the mean time, here’s a small corner of the shop. I’m adding products all the time. Just taken a delivery of some rather funky pencil cases 😍 are they in this photo? Absolutely not 🤣 Watch this space!