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Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Saxophone, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and world and electronic woodwinds

  • About
  • Resources and tools
    • Woodwind Doubling in Musicals
    • Fingering Diagram Builder
    • Note Image Generator
    • Woodwind blogroll
    • Random Note Picker
    • Articles on COVID-19 and wind playing
    • Woodwind music by composers in underrepresented groups
    • ReedCast™
    • jQuery Accidentals
    • More…
  • Lessons
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Doubling up pinky fingers on the clarinetWhy you should use a scale sheetFavorite blog posts, April 2022Creating “lightness”What really went wrong? Leaning into problem spotsFavorite blog posts, March 2022Woodwind trill techniqueMaking every marking audiblePractice fewer notesFavorite blog posts, February 2022A woodwind player’s introduction to: Native American flutesThe wallpaper effectList collection: Woodwind music by composers in underrepresented groupsFavorite blog posts, January 2022Jazz education and the “ya gotta listen” cop-outJazz and classical musicians’ concerns about jazz playingMusic guiltFavorite blog posts, December 2021A woodwind player’s introduction to: pennywhistlesPitfalls of giving musical instruments as giftsFavorite blog posts, November 2021Shaping a phraseA woodwind player’s introduction to: recordersWhat is my old instrument worth?Favorite blog posts, October 2021Preparing a focused mindHow to have a good lessonHow to convince me not to play your newly-composed pieceFavorite blog posts, September 2021Recital videos, August 2021Some woodwind problems with competition repertoire rulesReview: Multiple-woodwinds works by Darren LordFavorite blog posts, August 2021How to behave at your first classical music concert, and why it’s so weirdBecoming a professional musicianPreparing for a fatiguing performanceFavorite blog posts, July 2021Voicing for multiphonicsWhen there’s no place to breatheFavorite blog posts, June 2021Woodwind Doubler Census 2021 results, part 5 (final): self-identificationWoodwind Doubler Census 2021 results, part 4: gigsWoodwind Doubler Census 2021 results, part 3: training/educationWoodwind Doubler Census 2021 results, part 2: doubling abilitiesWoodwind Doubler Census 2021 results, part 1: demographicsFavorite blog posts, May 2021Synthetic reeds are probably the futureFavorite blog posts, April 2021Flute pressure against lip: survey of published opinionsThe Great Woodwind Doubler Census of 2021PersistenceFavorite blog posts, March 2021Note Image Generator, version 0.2Fox bassoon crutch modificationBig dynamicsFavorite blog posts, February 2021Review: Characteristic Etudes for the Woodwind Doubler by Gene KaplanDon’t work for exposure for brands, eitherFavorite blog posts, January 2021Transcription: Stan Getz, tenor saxophone on Huey Lewis and the News “Small World (Part Two)”Should I buy something new?Fingering Diagram Builder, version 0.83Favorite blog posts, December 2020Factors in woodwind instrument responseUsing “borrowed” fingerings in EWI modeFavorite blog posts, November 2020Do woodwind instruments have similar fingerings?Teaching with your earsInterpretation at small and large scalesFavorite blog posts, October 2020Giving feedback in masterclasses and competitionsAdvice on multiple-woodwinds graduate degrees and teaching careersFingering Diagram Builder, version 0.82Favorite blog posts, September 2020Stop teaching clarinet and saxophone embouchures like this“More air”Recital videos, August 2020Favorite blog posts, August 2020Keeping your fingers “close”Clarinet vibratoShould I buy a “step-up” instrument?Favorite blog posts, July 2020Starting at the right tempoDon’t say this to your beginning oboistsUpdate: COVID-19 wind playing resourcesFavorite blog posts, June 2020Understanding response and stabilityWind controllers as “practice” woodwindsShould I tighten the screws on my woodwind instrument?Favorite blog posts, May 2020Let audiences applaud at your classical music concerts. Or don’t.Interpreting wind articulation markingsDo I have to practice over the summer?Favorite blog posts, April 2020Wind playing and contagious diseasesAnnouncing the Note Image GeneratorFingering Diagram Builder, version 0.81Favorite blog posts, March 2020When things get canceledTechnical limitsReview: NewMusicShelf Anthology of New Music: Alto Saxophone, Vol. 1Favorite blog posts, February 2020Updated: Music for woodwind doublersPlaying professional whole notesWorking less hardFavorite blog posts, January 2020Do I need a college degree for my instrumental music career plans?Sharp, flat, and natural symbols on Android and iOS devicesFocus on fundamentals, not localized fixesUsing the Fingering Diagram Builder’s advanced keywork controlsYour first lesson with your college instrument teacherFingering Diagram Builder, version 0.8What I listen for in scholarship auditionsNaming the low E-flat (contrabass? contra-alto?) clarinetStaying motivated for summer practicingSimple and effective cuesSolo/chamber stage etiquette for first-year music majorsA few thoughts on the new Roland Aerophone AE-10Practicing, boredom, and guiltFAQ on multiple woodwinds degreesCommonly-fudged woodwind fingeringsThings that aren’t jazzWhich instrument should I learn next?The myth of beginning band instrument “tests”Brand snobberyImproving habits: use a timerStaying connected to the clarinetInterview: Woodwind road warrior Terry HalvorsonPlay reeds that fitWoodwind doubling and “similar” fingeringsUsing a pencil like a proThree Fingering Diagram Builder tutorialsFree music: five Arno Bornkamp saxophone albumsCrossing the break (or not) on saxophoneMultiple woodwinds commission, sixth movement (multiple woodwinds or piccolo)A brief thought about new music for saxophoneQuick tutorial: Telemann Canonic Sonata on EWI, à la Jeff KashiwaYouTubeage: Cool EWI videosNew sound clips: Faculty woodwinds recital, Aug. 31, 2010Quick review: Bo-Pep Flute Finger RestQuick tip: learn tenor clefKnow your foreign musical termsBassoon as a doubleRecommended: Jeanjean “Vade-Mecum” du ClarinettisteReview: Improve Your Doubling, by Chris VadalaLearning to play a woodwind: is previous woodwind experience a disadvantage?Abe Weiss on practicing
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My book: Woodwind Basics

Woodwind Basics, by Bret Pimentel

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