I'm a sax player, call me a somewhat serious hobbyist, and head of a multi-instrument family…read more
For me there are and have always been two types of retail formats for musical instruments, your choice between:
a) the big retail format where store's main purpose is to move volumes of instruments, especially during the Holidays OR
b) small store staffed by musicians, whose purpose is to help you with all the facets of developing your musical skill -- from keeping your horn in tip-top shape to finding a teacher or group to help you develop your chops. And when the time comes to switch up your instrument, advising you on the one that best fits your skill and personal style.
Way I see it, mastery of an instrument is a multi-year process, and the decisions you make with your local music store over this period are really subtle, but with big impact on your personal vector -- the enjoyment you get from playing and your rate of progress. For example: Which ligature will give me the best jazz sound? Which setup will help keep me precisely in tune when I play classical? Is a key sticking because I have a bad pad, weak spring or is it imperceptibly bent? What's a good piece of upper-register repertoire?
For me Blech exactly fits the bill. It's a store I trust, run by musicians for musicians of any skill level.
