Here is a recap of some of my favorite stuff from the blog from 2013. Because hey, I’m on vacation too.
- The Fingering Diagram Builder got a new major release, plus a minor release. Development has slowed down a bit on this, not because I’ve stopped planning and working on improvements to it, but because it’s really working surprisingly well at this point and its popularity is growing in a satisfying way. I expect future releases to be on the deliberate side at least for the foreseeable future. (Don’t let that stop you from sending in your suggestions, feature requests, and bug reports.)
- My Woodwind Doubling in Musicals list got a long-overdue major overhaul. Check it out and share information about the shows you have played.
- I discontinued my “woodwind blogs you should be reading” series in favor of a monthly roundup of my favorite posts. I think it’s more interesting and useful, plus I can give regular shout-outs to woodwind bloggers who are consistently putting out good stuff, or highlight a diamond in the rough.
- I finally got most of my best advice about doing a multiple woodwinds degree all in one place.
- I ranted about why I think music education is important (spoiler: it’s not math skills).
- I gave a presentation and a recital.
- I want my students to show up, to be individuals but also embrace tradition, and to listen critically to themselves.
- I reviewed Butch Hall Native-American-style flutes, Hercules saxophone/woodwind stands, and some innovative new products from Vandoren (note the date on that one). Note to makers/sellers of woodwind products: I get a large amount of traffic to this site for my product reviews, and in more than a few cases my reviews get higher Google placement than the makers’ own websites. Drop me a line if you want to send me cool stuff to check out (even just on loan).
- I wrote about the flutist’s tongue, the clarinet’s break (part 1 and part 2), the bassoon’s terrifyingly numerous high F-sharp fingerings, and clarinet-to-saxophone doubling or vice versa.
- For electronic-woodwind buffs, you special kind of nerds, you, I did a how-to on playing the Telemann Canonic Sonatas on wind controller with a delay pedal. You, too, can play duets with yourself.
- I gave unsolicited advice to high school and college students on auditioning and on buying new instruments.
- And I did my best to clear up some things for the Twitter generation of musicians.
Thanks for your ongoing support. Best wishes to you and your reeds for 2014.
