Favorite blog posts, May 2019

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Sax Spy – Blog: 3 Low-Note Exercises From the Masters
Trent Jacobs, bassoonist: On forming blanks and cracking cane
ProneOboe (Jennet Ingle): Psychology of the Oboist and Transitions
Jenny Maclay: The Complete Guide to Developing Great Technique
Sam Newsome’s Blogspot: Soprano Sax Talk: Websites: Relevant or Relic?

And, as always, this is an excellent way to get your blog post selected as a favorite:

Joffe Woodwinds: Bret Pimentel

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, April 2019

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Jennifer Stucki, oboist: Why is my Reed Playing Sharp and Flat?
Rachel Yoder, clarinet: Objective Language in Applied Music Instruction
Just Flutes Blog (Roderick Seed): Tips on Andersen Etudes: Op15, No. 3
Sam Newsome’s Blogsite: Soprano Sax Talk: Acute and Chronic Practicing
Bassoon Blog (Betsy Sturdevant): Contrabassoon for Dummies
The Flute Examiner (Kelly Wilson): 11 Cool Things About the Tongue
Peter da Silva Music: Woodwind Tips – Venting
Recorder Jen (Jennifer Mackerras): Why we should all start practising long notes
The Flute View (Jolene Madewell): 7 Tips for Sparking Joy in Your Practice Room

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, March 2019

March 31, 2019April 1, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Everything Saxophone (Ben Britton): Basics of Voicing
Jennifer Stucki, oboist: Three Common Mistakes New Reed Makers Make
Recorder Jen: Breath control: How to cure unintentional vibrato

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, February 2019

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

oboeinsight (Patty Mitchell): Conductors and Kindness, Part 3
bassoon blog (Betsy Sturdevant): Characteristics of a top-notch wind quintet
Bill Plake Music: Be Mindful of This Very Important Connection When Playing Your Instrument
Sam Newsome’s Blogspot: Soprano Sax Talk: Teacher and Student: Then What?
Practice Room Revelations – Jolene Harju: How I Regained Confidence In My Playing (After Becoming Too Afraid To Play)

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, January 2019

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Joffe Woodwinds: Practicing on the Gig
JQ Flute: Rough times happening? Oh look, there you are making gold out of it. Here’s 3 heartfelt observations about your playing to get you through the storm
Oboemotions: Promising Research
Kristopher King (bassoon): Low A
The Flute View: Creating and Refining Better Habits in Your Practice Room by Rena Urso
Wayne Leechford: Auditioning for All-District
Jenny Maclay (clarinet): My Winter Warm-Up Routine For Cold Days

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, December 2018

December 31, 2018December 31, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Jennifer Stucki, oboist: The Causes of Loose Sides and Why It Matters
eflatclarinetproject (Jennifer Fraley): Selecting an E-flat Clarinet
Bill Plake Music: Why “Feeling Relaxed” Isn’t Always a Good Thing To Aim For When Playing Music
International Clarinet Association (Paula Corley): Pedagogy Corner: Leonard Bernstein’s Sonata, Movement II: A Practice Duet for Two Clarinet
Rodriguez Musical Services (Justin Stanley): Guest Article: Creating a Compelling Recital Program

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

Favorite blog posts, November 2018

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Stephen Caplan embraces plastic oboes. Related: Elizabeth Brown lists some signs that your wooden oboe has a crack.
Clarinetist Miranda Dohrman gives advice on building a freelance career.
Jennifer Mackerras provides solutions for recorders slipping and sliding around in your hands.
Peter Westbrook shares a 2003 interview with Herbie Mann, covering aspects of jazz flute playing, woodwind doubling, and more.
Oboist Jennet Ingle offers some suggestions on a good mindset for solo performance.
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay lists some reasons you might not be improving as much as you would like.

Favorite blog posts, October 2018

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Oboist Jennifer Stucki offers some suggestions and resources for keeping a reed log.
Clarinetist Diana Haskell shares ideas on helping students avoid injury.
Flutist Roderick Seed explains a comprehensive method for memorizing music.
Anne Norman reports on the 2018 World Shakuhachi Festival.
Oboist Nuria Cabezas demonstrates hand and finger stretches.

Favorite blog posts, September 2018

September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Heather Roche shares a list of easy/reliable clarinet multiphonics. Useful information here for composers and performers.
Eric Schultz examines the history of multiple tonguing on single reed instruments.
Jenny Maclay explores clarinet orchestral excerpts. (Also consider enlisting for the October Uhl Boot Camp.)
Flutist Kelly Wilson explains the anatomy and function of the arms.
Jennet Ingle discusses producing a resonant sound on the oboe.
Oboist Nuria Cabezas demonstrates some stretches for musicians.
Flutist Jessica Dunnavant deals with performance nerves.
Ariel Detwiler shares thoughts on fitting into a band or orchestra bassoon section.
Patty Mitchell spends some time away from her oboe.
Hannah Haefele offers some suggestions for warming up on the flute on a tight schedule.

Favorite blog posts, August 2018

August 31, 2018August 31, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ 1 Comment

Michael Dean shares a bibliography of editions and resources for the Rose clarinet etudes.
Alain Vlamynck makes some Baroque oboe reeds. (French language.)
Flutist Douglas Worthen offers some tips on playing Berio’s Sequenza I.