Favorite blog posts, July 2014

I am closing out July in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at ClarinetFest. Report forthcoming. For now, enjoy my best-of-the-woodwind-blogs for the past month.

Woodwind doubling and the “main” instrument

I identify very much as a woodwind player: as far as I’m concerned, if it’s a woodwind, it’s part of what I do. But when I introduce myself to someone that way, I am frequently asked, “But which one is your main instrument?”

Auxiliary instruments and college study

One thing that seems to surprise some prospective college music majors is that we have different views about what I consider “auxiliary” instruments. For example, it’s common for prospects to identify themselves as bass clarinetists, or as tenor saxophonists. Some of these students have never even attempted to play a B-flat clarinet or an alto saxophone, and sometimes show little interest in doing so. Am I old-fashioned to expect my saxophone majors to play mostly alto and my clarinet majors to play mostly B-flat?

12(+) ways to practice a technical passage

Rhythmic variation is an excellent way to keep some variety and interest in your practicing, even when you’re stuck on a particularly frustrating passage.