Web reviews Archives | Page 16 of 16 | Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

The Usual Suspects – Los Angeles studio musicians

January 3, 2018July 27, 2009 by Bret Pimentel

If you’re not familiar with Dr. Gio Washington-Wright’s web site, The Usual Suspects, you really ought to cancel all your plans for the next two or three days and thoroughly check it out. Dr. Washington-Wright, a reed player himself, profiles many/most/all? of the top studio musicians on the L. A. scene, with tons of bios, interviews, photos, videos, and audio clips.

usualsuspects

Most of the major L. A. woodwind doublers get at least a mention here, but check the menu for specific instruments, as well as individual pages for especially notable players.

Free woodwind sheet music on the IMSLP

January 3, 2018April 5, 2009 by Bret Pimentel

The Internet Music Score Library Project is an online library of public-domain sheet music. Most of the available music is in PDF format and can be freely downloaded. The files are uploaded by users, mostly scanned from published sheet music that falls into the public domain. This means mostly compositions that are old enough to be public domain, in published editions that are also old enough to be public domain.

This is a fantastic resource for finding older editions of woodwind solo pieces, chamber music, and orchestral parts.

Videos: John Miller, Broadway music contractor

January 3, 2018March 17, 2009 by Bret Pimentel

I’ve been really enjoying these videos of John Miller. Mr. Miller (not to be confused with the eminent bassoonist) does much of the contracting of the musicians who play in Broadway shows. In these videos, he is addressing a group of his fellow bass players, but everything he has to say is highly applicable to woodwind players and anyone else who wants to make money playing their instrument(s).

He talks about what kind of musicians he likes to hire, what is expected of a professional musician on the New York City scene, and lots more.

More woodwind blogs

January 3, 2018January 7, 2009 by Bret Pimentel

I’ve added a number of new woodwind-related blogs to my blogroll (to your right). All are blogs that I read regularly.

If you don’t already use a feed reader, I suggest you check out Google Reader for keeping track of all your favorite blogs in one place.

The new ones as of this update are:

Pedro Eustache: ethnic woodwinds

January 2, 2018December 12, 2008 by Bret Pimentel

If you’re interested in ethnic woodwinds, you ought to check out virtuoso flutist Pedro Eustache. I like that on his website he refers to himself as a “multidirectional flute soloist.”

Recommended: Jennifer Cluff’s flute blog

January 3, 2018September 9, 2008 by Bret Pimentel

If you aren’t reading Jennifer Cluff’s blog, I highly recommend surfing on over and spending a few hours: www.jennifercluff.com/blog/

Ms. Cluff’s blog gets my vote for being the most useful woodwind-related blog currently on the web, with long and in-depth posts about flute playing, including, sometimes, answers to readers’ questions. There is really excellent stuff here for beginners and very advanced flutists alike. I just finished reading her latest post, on excess movement in flute playing. Ms. Cluff’s posts are sporadic but always worthwhile, so subscribe to the RSS feed if you’re cool like that.

Sal Lozano on doubling

March 16, 2017August 2, 2008 by Bret Pimentel

Los Angeles woodwind doubler Sal Lozano makes some basic points about flute-clarinet-saxophone doubling. This YouTube freebie appears to be a teaser for the video lessons you can purchase at Stars Teach Music, which has a surprisingly impressive roster of video woodwind teachers (mostly saxophonists). I enjoyed this little clip by the esteemed Mr. Lozano, but … Read more