eBay Australia's Woodwind Instruments Buying Guide
From collectables to cars, buy and sell all kinds of items on eBay


 Buying Guides


eBay Australia's Woodwind Instruments Buying Guide


Woodwind instruments play an important role in many types of music: jazz, classical, even pop and rock. Whether you aspire to be the next Kenny G or are encouraging your child to join the school band, you’ll find everything you need here, on eBay Australia, to play your favourite woodwind instrument. Start searching for woodwind instruments now on eBay Australia!

Determine the Right Woodwind for You


Determine the Right Woodwind for You

Each type of woodwind instrument has a particular sound and creates its own mood. By considering the type of music you want to play and your skill level, the selection of instrument should become obvious. While some instruments are heard primarily in orchestras, others are unlikely to be heard outside of jazz bands.

Once you have decided which woodwind you want to play, you’ll find instruments by some of the best brands, such as Yamaha, Jupiter, Amati, Buescher, Conn and Selmer, on eBay Australia.

Clarinet

You’ll find clarinets in jazz bands, orchestras and wind bands, where their distinctive sound is clear. If you’ve heard the opening notes of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” then you’ve heard a clarinet.

  • Clarinet size & construction: The clarinet is reasonably small, and therefore a very portable, woodwind instrument. As you blow air between a single reed and mouthpiece the 17 keys of the clarinet create sound. Children often choose a clarinet as the first woodwind instrument they learn because of its size and weight.

  • Clarinet ranges: Although there are a variety of clarinets, the B-flat clarinet is the most common type of this woodwind instrument and generally produces notes in the treble range. The E-flat clarinet produces a higher-pitched sound, while the bass clarinet and alto clarinets produce lower-pitched sounds.

  • Clarinet materials: Once you’ve selected what range you’d like to play in, choose the type of material you want your woodwind instrument manufactured from. For a warmer, more practised sound purchase a wood clarinet. A more durable plastic clarinet is probably a better option for a child who is bound to be hard on it.

                            clarinet

Saxophone

The saxophone is one of the most popular woodwind instruments because it has a rich register and extended range. The saxophone is heard so often in jazz and blues music because it can carry particularly romantic and soulful tunes.

  • Saxophone construction: The saxophone has a reed, mouthpiece, keys, like a clarinet; a cone-shaped bore, like an oboe; and usually a brass body.

  • Saxophone types: The size and pitch of a saxophone varies according to which type you choose. The smallest and highest pitched of the saxophone family is the soprano saxophone, followed by the alto, tenor, baritone, bass and contrabass saxophone.

  • Selecting the right saxophone: The alto saxophone should be considered first for beginners; it requires less air than other saxophones and is easier to hold because of its smaller size. More experienced players can progress to other saxophone types.

Flute

The flute is the only non-reed woodwind instrument. One of the most popular instruments in the world, you’ll find the flute played in a variety of ensembles including jazz, symphony orchestras, school bands, flute choirs and as a solo instrument. The flute is played by blowing air through the instrument’s cylindrical body while pressing the keys.

  • Beginner flutes: The best flute for a beginner is the concert, or C flute, if the beginner is a child or smaller person look for a curved headjoint which makes it easier to play. To minimise costs a beginner flutes is generally made of silver-plated nickel.

  • Advanced flutes: Advanced flute models are made out of more expensive materials such as silver, gold, glass or carbon fibre.

  • Other flute types: The flute family also includes the piccolo (pitched one octave above the standard flute), alto, bass and E-flat flutes.

Oboe

For a high and reedy sound choose a member of the woodwind double reed family- the oboe. Oboes can be made from high-quality resin or various woods. The oboe has a double reed, unlike the clarinet or saxophone which have a mouthpiece and reed.

                                 oboe

Bassoon

The bassoon is another member of the woodwind double reed family, played in the tenor range or below. A bassoon is a long wooden instrument at 8 foot long (or 2.4 metres) which produces a distinctive tone with great character.

Recorder

Not just reserved for school lessons, the flute-like recorder plays a wide variety of music and is often found in large ensembles or chamber groups. A good choice for beginners as many are made of plastic, but high quality recorders are made from different hardwoods.

Bagpipes

Play Scottish music with bagpipes. The ‘pipes’ of a modern bagpipes are generally made from African Blackwood, though plastic is also common; the pipe bag may be made of sheepskin or other hides.

                                   bagpipes

Didgeridoo

Though not a traditional woodwind instrument, the didgeridoo can be classified as such, and is possibly the most ancient woodwind instrument known to humankind. They are generally made of eucalyptus, and were traditionally hollowed by termites.


Back to topBack to top

Select Woodwind Accessories


Select Woodwind Accessories

Woodwind instruments require maintenance. Shop for the parts and products you need to keep your woodwind instrument sounding good on eBay Australia.

  • Woodwind reeds: Reeds produce the sound and come in strengths from 1 to 5, with the higher numbers indicating stronger reeds. If you are learning to play the instrument select a softer reed.  

  • Woodwind mouthpieces and straps: Upgrade your clarinet mouthpiece or saxophone mouthpiece to make playing easier. To redistribute the weight of the instrument purchase a neck strap.

  • Woodwind key pads: If used often woodwind instruments need replacement pads for the keys.

  • Woodwind maintenance products: Shop eBay Australia for the cleaning tools and kits you need. It may also be helpful to have a reed case and trimmer.

  • Woodwind protection: Get a case to protect your woodwind instrument if it didn’t come with one.

  • Woodwind music: Learn how to play and improve your music repertoire with instructional materials. Buy a music stand to hold your music at a comfortable height and distance.


Back to topBack to top

Find Woodwind Instruments on eBay Australia


Find Woodwind Instruments on eBay Australia

Once you know what type of woodwind you want, go to the Musical Instruments portal, click Woodwind, and start searching for item listings on eBay Australia.

                                      Woodwind categories list       

  • Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you concentrate your search by item type. You'll find links for Instruments and Accessories.

  • Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a piccolo, type “piccolo” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Australia Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.


Back to topBack to top

Buy Woodwind Instruments With Confidence


Buy Woodwind Instruments With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

                                   ask seller a question, seller information, ebay australia

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

  • Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

  • If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

  • Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

  • Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

  • What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

  • What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

  • Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

  • Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

  • eBay Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.


Back to topBack to top

Need More Help?


Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!


Back to topBack to top

Legal Disclaimer


Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.


Back to topBack to top


 Content Provided By

eBay
 Marketplace Safety Tips

security centre, security and resolution, trust and safety, marketplace tips



About eBay | Announcements | Register | Security Centre | Feedback Forum | Site Map | Policies | Help | Contact Us | Advertise
Copyright © 1995-2009 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
eBay official time